Ticking exhaust manifold

Post Mon Apr 01, 2013 5:27 am

I have a ticking that is probably due to manifold stud issues. I have got a matching spare manifold that I would like to prep and use when I replace the studs. What cleans the soot out of the inside? Is it worth getting the face machined? I will give the outer surface a good wire brushing and a coat of heat resistant paint. Any paints recommend?

Post Mon Apr 01, 2013 9:35 am

The cast exhaust manifolds have a known tendency to warp 'banana shaped',I needed to have one surface ground some years ago when I was running a 520i E28.
When the manifold warps,it tend to either snap the studs or strip the threads in the cylinder head,cylinder's 1 and 6 usually suffer.Murphy's Law applies here,and you usually find that it is number 6(alongside the bulkhead)that is damaged with little room to get tools in to fix.

No idea how to clean the inside out,but maybe a chemical clean when you have it surface ground?

This issue is the main reason that I use a tubular s/s exhaust manifold,they are in two parts,so do not change shape.

Post Mon Apr 01, 2013 12:30 pm

What is the brand of stainless steel manifold you use?

Post Mon Apr 01, 2013 12:36 pm

xavier wrote:What is the brand of stainless steel manifold you use?

I have the much derided Hottuning manifold!

Post Mon Apr 01, 2013 2:14 pm

daimlerman wrote:
xavier wrote:What is the brand of stainless steel manifold you use?
I have the much derided Hottuning manifold!

Are they still available? Need to sort a temporary replacement for mine that is cheap and cheerful

Post Mon Apr 01, 2013 2:20 pm

Looks like it...

http://www.hottuning.eu/?nav=products&s ... uct_id=131

Speaking just for myself,I have had no issues or problems with this product,mine is now in it's second car and is wearing well.I get a modest performance boost,with a pleasant exhaust note.

Post Mon Apr 01, 2013 5:08 pm

I know a couple people who got the hottuning manifold and they seemed happy with it for the price.
I wonder if these are on par with hottuning or the mega cheap hottuning copy?....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150952035205?redirect=mobile

Not sure of the pipe work coming from No.5 and the performance gains will be negligible, but its nice and shiny

Post Mon Apr 01, 2013 5:25 pm

jmc330i wrote:I know a couple people who got the hottuning manifold and they seemed happy with it for the price.
I wonder if these are on par with hottuning or the mega cheap hottuning copy?....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150952035205?redirect=mobile

Not sure of the pipe work coming from No.5 and the performance gains will be negligible, but its nice and shiny

That was about the price I paid Hottuning about four or five years ago when these first appeared.The advert linked above is a tad confusing as they seem to claim that their manifold is compatable with 4 cylinder E30,and then say further on that it fits all 6 cylinder E30!
They also claim that this will fit 'any exhaust system'...hummm...it will,with some work...but should replace the front section of a three piece system OK.
There was an issue with the second batch that HT had made,the flange for,I think,the rear part was fitted upside down...so if investing a couple of hundred of your hard earned,I would query the supplier's returns policy first.