Mike B Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 I put the car back together tonight.... Started her up, everything perfect... but it's still a bit noisey under the hood... she sounds like she is still blowing... everything is fully sealed and there is no way there can be exhaust venting to atmo.... so I start peeling back the heatwrap... and there it is... Number 2 runner is completely sheared; big crack all the way round. That and the turbo gasket was leaking I'm surprised she spooled at all. So now it's new manifold time. BL will be a quick direct drop in, I have mailed arnaut for dimensions on his (hopeful but I'm sure it will involve more fabrication that I can be arsed with). I was wondering if heatwrapping these systems was a good idea. Perfaps not.. my tubby is wrapped, manifold wrapped, and dp wrapped. The next manifold I will leave bare... wrapping it may well have added to the problem.. anyone know any UK co's that will have a BL manifold in stock? or anyone have one going spare? apologies for no pics, can't get them off my camera, will put them up tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaz1 Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 I put the car back together tonight.... Started her up, everything perfect... but it's still a bit noisey under the hood... she sounds like she is still blowing... everything is fully sealed and there is no way there can be exhaust venting to atmo.... so I start peeling back the heatwrap... and there it is... Number 2 runner is completely sheared; big crack all the way round. That and the turbo gasket was leaking I'm surprised she spooled at all. So now it's new manifold time. BL will be a quick direct drop in, I have mailed arnaut for dimensions on his (hopeful but I'm sure it will involve more fabrication that I can be arsed with). I was wondering if heatwrapping these systems was a good idea. Perfaps not.. my tubby is wrapped, manifold wrapped, and dp wrapped. The next manifold I will leave bare... wrapping it may well have added to the problem.. anyone know any UK co's that will have a BL manifold in stock? or anyone have one going spare? apologies for no pics, can't get them off my camera, will put them up tomorrow. try kylest for mega fast delivery;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike B Posted June 19, 2008 Author Share Posted June 19, 2008 try kylest for mega fast delivery;) the tubby just arrived for kyle 2 days ago. I have some bits coming from MVP, and still waiting for an innovate from kyle... but after the car has been off the raod for 2-3 weeks now I'd like one on sat morning if possible.. wonder who would stock one.. I think BL was virtually overseas only. I will try Terry S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gaz1 Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 the tubby just arrived for kyle 2 days ago. I have some bits coming from MVP, and still waiting for an innovate from kyle... but after the car has been off the raod for 2-3 weeks now I'd like one on sat morning if possible.. wonder who would stock one.. I think BL was virtually overseas only. I will try Terry S. yeah i had the same problem trying to source one from the uk:rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 Gutted for you How did you do that at Marham? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 Talk about bad luck, Mike, you get a rougher time than me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike B Posted June 19, 2008 Author Share Posted June 19, 2008 Gutted for you How did you do that at Marham? possibly not actually. In retrospect It may have been from before... she was smelling a bit fumey and she was a tad noisey before marham. Also explains the "throttle response" issue I have been banging on about. Definately got worse over time though. Talk about bad luck, Mike, you get a rougher time than me! No way dude! hopefully you have ousted the gremlin from your garage and you can have that turbo nibbling mouse back too... Oil seal is something I don't want to see. Terry "modified" mine. So I hope he did it right, if there is a "right" way to do it! I'm kind of glad I have found it as I was not happy with the car as it was tbh... now I look forward to getting it spot on. Not looking to removing and refitting the manifold though, anyone got any tips? those lower bolts look like a b****d to get to... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kylestt Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 PM sent Mike! Can't do this Saturday but we can have it to you fast of course. And innovate is frustrating me on this lm2 stuff . i'm deeply sorry about the delay on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike B Posted June 19, 2008 Author Share Posted June 19, 2008 They are more expensive than I thought. Now I know why I bought a car that was already built! lol could impacts to the exhausts (ie speed bumps) cause manifold cracks as well...? I had heard the BL units were supposed to be strong. Terry S was boasting he had never heard of a BL unit failing so I remember. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul mac Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 allthough my manifold is not wraped i think it is recomended to leave about an inch bare up to any welds so as to avoid localised overheating on the weld which is the weak spot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 They are more expensive than I thought. Now I know why I bought a car that was already built! lol could impacts to the exhausts (ie speed bumps) cause manifold cracks as well...? I had heard the BL units were supposed to be strong. Terry S was boasting he had never heard of a BL unit failing so I remember. Depends how fast you were going when you hit it I guess a sharp upward blow directly under the downpipe would cause more stress than a sharpe blow halfway up the exhaust (I know when mine catches it's not at the front, it's halfway up the exhaust - & I'm only going 2 or 3 mph) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 could impacts to the exhausts (ie speed bumps) cause manifold cracks as well...? I would hazard a guess at yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_have Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 Mine has been double wrapped with no probs as yet (hks divided) and it took a hefty wallop from the Mareham exit hump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 could impacts to the exhausts (ie speed bumps) cause manifold cracks as well...? Definitely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike B Posted June 19, 2008 Author Share Posted June 19, 2008 Just out of intereset, as these thing are very expensive, and hand fabricated, what's to say I can't take it to a welding specialist and get the crack re-welded... after all the unit is welded in the first place, what's to stop us re-welding the crack? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 Just out of intereset, as these thing are very expensive, and hand fabricated, what's to say I can't take it to a welding specialist and get the crack re-welded... after all the unit is welded in the first place, what's to stop us re-welding the crack? Nothing as long as it can be cleaned up enough to get a decent weld on it, as already mentioned though the welds are a weak point and you would be adding another one. On the other hand it would prob last a while and is a cheap quick solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_have Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 Nothing as long as it can be cleaned up enough to get a decent weld on it, as already mentioned though the welds are a weak point and you would be adding another one. On the other hand it would prob last a while and is a cheap quick solution. Exactly that. Problem with welding a used manifold is carbon contamination. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike B Posted June 19, 2008 Author Share Posted June 19, 2008 Nothing as long as it can be cleaned up enough to get a decent weld on it, as already mentioned though the welds are a weak point and you would be adding another one. On the other hand it would prob last a while and is a cheap quick solution. There is a slight physical height difference between the two sides of the weld, so that has caused the crack and I have a local industrial fabrication company I use that do stunning work. I can think of a lot more interesting things to do with £800 quid. I think I'll give it a go.. The thing is covered in welds anyway, I'm sure they will do a good job. If all fails I can always buy another. Now I just have to get it off. All advice welcome on that front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 Now I just have to get it off. All advice welcome on that front. A long breaker bar to crack them open always works for me, had my manifold off a couple of times now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike B Posted June 19, 2008 Author Share Posted June 19, 2008 A long breaker bar to crack them open always works for me, had my manifold off a couple of times now but what about the bolts under the manifold runners.. it's going to be a tough call to get a small spanner in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 Track days = Cast iron, of decent quality, or something with properly thought out support and without stress raisers from unequal expansion. Once cracked a stainless tubular manifold is all but impossible to successfully weld for serious usage. It'll go again, sorry, but that's how it is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 My manifold is prob a bit more accessable than yours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike B Posted June 19, 2008 Author Share Posted June 19, 2008 My manifold is prob a bit more accessable than yours Indeed... I I was building fron scratch there are many advantages to a cast manifold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike B Posted June 19, 2008 Author Share Posted June 19, 2008 Track days = Cast iron, of decent quality, or something with properly thought out support and without stress raisers from unequal expansion. Once cracked a stainless tubular manifold is all but impossible to successfully weld for serious usage. It'll go again, sorry, but that's how it is I'd fit an arnaut if it were not going to entail fabrication from hell, but I know you are right chris. Let's hope they can weld it in such a way that if it cracks again it does so on a different runner.. lol I'll be no further forward if I buy a new tubular that cracks the same way, I'd be a might annoyed. If this one cracks again I will dig deep and go for a cast and then re-fabricate. If arnaut comes back with a decent price I may be tempted to go for that from the off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted June 19, 2008 Share Posted June 19, 2008 Arnout also does a mounting kit and downpipes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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