V2Rocket

We know the S3 heads and the 16v heads have the same bolt pattern for exhaust manifold, hence the common S3 manifold upgrade for earlier cars.

However the S3 head is designed for the little crush rings (which are a major PITA to install) yet there is enough "meat" to match up to the earlier metal-fiber type gasket...

Anybody try this?

RFJ

Gee I guess I am clueless as when I put new head gaskets on my 86.5 I just used Metal gaskets by Cometic, three layer expensive but they seem to work.There is no problem that I am aware of.

Rob Edwards

I think I'd stick with the crush rings- you can tack them in place with dabs of hi-temp copper anti-seize during assembly. Or just rotate the whole car 47 degrees upwards so they don't fall out while installing manifolds.

hacker-pschorr

Compliments to Erik N - I so want to do this someday when working on a 928 drivetrain:

zekgb

I just gave 'em a whack with a mallet to take them slightly out of round. Stayed in no problem while I wrestled the manifolds in place.

Vilhuer

+1. Works perfectly every time.

Imo000

The S3 manifold is not an exact fit to the 16V heads ports. It's close enough that with some massaging of the stud holes can make them fit but it isn't a direct plug and play.

V2Rocket

I wondered about using copper RTV or something the other day while putting the rings on a 944S2 head in the car...go to install the manifold and the rings fall out...
Awesome!
Thats a neat trick...
Slightly overdrill the holes I guess?
My 944 2-v manifolds (which should be the same pattern/spacing as 16v 928) slipped right onto the studs of my S3 head.