a4944

Hi All,
I have a pretty bad exhaust leak in my 2/3 exhaust manifold and I'm looking at the following options.

1. Technodyne - they will weld and ceramic coat for around $400 or $450 for both

2. New B&B stainless steel headers from Tweeks for $800 for both

3. Same as 2 with ceramic coating

4. New Porsche OEM for $850 for just the 2/3 manifold

5. Used for < $200 for just the 2/3 manifold

The used option is looking good but I don't have a feel for the lifespan of these things. My 951 has 75k miles and has stage II chips. Did I get unlucky or will they all fail by 80k to 100k miles? I asked a local race shop and they would not weld it, said it would just crack again. I really, really only want to make this repair once.

Thanks,
Mark

icat

If it was me I'd go for the B&B. I would NOT buy a used one as you have no idea how long it will last.

keith

Why don't you have it welded and wrap it with header wrap?

a4944

I asked about welding at Krauss and England. They are a well respected race shop in Raleigh. Since I'm tracking the car, they thought it would just fail again. I could try a weld and jet hot treatment. The jet hot will cover the inside and outside and should reduce the heat on the metal.

Thanks,
Mark

Mike S

I'd shoot for option #2. My old 944NA had a cracked header after 120k. I took it off to have it welded and found that the previous owner had it welded previously....twice. LOL! Not a fan of welding stainless with that many heat cycles on it.

Ahmet

I've welded an exhaust manifold on a 944 before, and did not fail for two more years in my possession. This time included a few track events.

I'm in Cary NC but go to school @NCSU and I'm around raleigh a lot. I think I might've seen your car a few times too, is it a darkish silver? I keep seeing one around western blvd. I help out now and then @west german garage nowadays too, not too far from K&E (across from european performance). Any of this sound familiar?
Ahmet

cruise98

Mark:

You can get a new manifold for less than that. Reeves, and other Dealers sell for cost plus 15%. With a new one you get a 2 year warranty.

I had two 2-3 sets welded. They both warped too much to be of any use. Not just anyone can weld these correctly. They are now in the land fill. If you can swing it, buy B&B, SFR or Broadfoot Racing replacements for both. I almost did this, but did not know Tweeks had such a good price on the B&B set. Next time I will do option 2.

a4944

Ahmet, we met one time in the Pep Boys parking lot on Glenwood. I was driving a black Audi A4. You gave me a ride. I was looking at old 911s at that time. Mine is a burgandy 951 which is pretty much stock in appearance. I don't drive it every day.

To all, I pulled the trigger and bought the B&B headers. Should I bother getting the jet hot treatment or should the new headers last?

Thanks,
Mark

Ahmet

Wow I didn't realize that, should've told me

So, did you make it to VIR? Planned events? Let me know if there something I can help with, or if you want to join me and few other enthusiasts on a sunday drive, or whatever really. Hope you're enjoying the car btw.
Ahmet

a4944

I'm having fun with it. I just bought a used Autopower roll bar from K&E. I'm looking into new seats so I can fit with a helmet.

I'm still running the Audi. I did VIR South a couple of weeks ago and will be doing VIR North next week. I hope to have the 951 ready for the second half of the year. Headers, roll bar, steering wheel, and seats. I'd also like to get a boost guage and an oil temperature guage.

Send me some email (a4p944@yahoo.com). Let me know the next time the group goes for a drive. Being new to this car, I'm sure I'll need alot of advice.

Thanks,
Mark

951carter

Did the ride with Ahmet help in pursuading you to buy the proper Porsche model?

I have also ridden with Ahmet.....exhilarating to say the least..(on a closed course, of course)

TurboTim

Check out our headers on our website. Much nicer then B&B.

a4944

It was a quick ride and he was having wastegate or other problems. It did put the bug in my head though. I was looking for a rear wheel drive (M3, 911, 944, 951, E30 325, 2nd Gen Rx7) for the track at a resonable price. This came up in the Sunday paper and I bought it on Tuesday. I wanted BMW or Porsche mainly because the clubs are more track orientated.

Mark