Upgraded Cast Iron mainfiolds?

[ROGUE GTS]

I know the 4500 manifolds are mildly better than stock, but has anyone looked at making a stepped cast iron log manifold setup?

Would there be any interest in such a thing? If 10 people were to buy sets they could be had for about $800 a pair. And they will never crack like any welded stainless eventually will. Could be made to still mount to stock up-pipes for easy fitment etc.

Thoughts?

Pics of the general concept being utilized in another application.

 

[ROGUE GTS]

The wood center is the core, the gray area is what the casting would look like.

 

[Turbo Buick 6]

I know the 4500 manifolds are mildly better than stock, but has anyone looked at making a stepped cast iron log manifold setup?

Would there be any interest in such a thing? If 10 people were to buy sets they could be had for about $800 a pair. And they will never crack like any welded stainless eventually will. Could be made to still mount to stock up-pipes for easy fitment etc.

Thoughts?

Pics of the general concept being utilized in another application.

How can you make a claim that all welded SS will crack but cast never will? That is total BS

I've seen plenty of crack cast.

 

[ROGUE GTS]

How can you make a claim that all welded SS will crack but cast never will? That is total BS

I've seen plenty of crack cast.

Ok they can, but it's a lot less likely. Especially if it's designed properly by someone who understands the characteristics of a casting, internal metal tearing, etc. I haven't cracked a set of cast iron manifolds yet but pretty much every stainless set i've seen does eventually.

Ignore the cracking statement, just from a cost/function perspective would there be any interest to make it worth the development effort?

 

[racinmike77]

Stainless is better for everthing imo. Turbine housings, exhausts, tierod sleeves, kitchen sinks. But seriously I think stainless is more appealing because of its heat retention and resistance to the elements.

 

[hondarider552]

I think RDL has got it covered.

 

[Turbo Buick 6]

I think RDL has got it covered.

This is a viable option, and I personaly think it is a better idea than a log style fabbed manifold. I was just mearly stating fact.

 

[Turbo Buick 6]

Ok they can, but it's a lot less likely. Especially if it's designed properly by someone who understands the characteristics of a casting, internal metal tearing, etc. I haven't cracked a set of cast iron manifolds yet but pretty much every stainless set i've seen does eventually.

Ignore the cracking statement, just from a cost/function perspective would there be any interest to make it worth the development effort?

And fabbed SS will work if it is designed properly by someone who understands the characteristics of metal. Nothing against you but there is a good chance you are seeing crack manifolds made by soeone who doesnt know what they are doing. A very close friend of mine has been building headers for over 25 years and has never had one crack....heck I just saw a late model header that was crushed flat and still didnt have any cracks in it. The problem is too many people are building crap that doent know what they are doing and everyone thinks the problems they have are unavoidable.

 

[LBZ]

Does SS shrink overtime like cast does?

 

[hondarider552]

This is a viable option, and I personaly think it is a better idea than a log style fabbed manifold. I was just mearly stating fact.

I meant that towards the OP, my bad. :hug:

 

[TrentNell]

a good flowing header for 800 bucks seems like a good option just because of cost .

on edit : i think untill some one makes a cost effective upgrade most will never upgrade the peices . there are alot of bennifits to be had from exhaust upgrades but they cost alot for the average project , unless like stated its a max effort truck .

 

[ROGUE GTS]

a good flowing header for 800 bucks seems like a good option just because of cost .

on edit : i think untill some one makes a cost effective upgrade most will never upgrade the peices . there are alot of bennifits to be had from exhaust upgrades but they cost alot for the average project , unless like stated its a max effort truck .

That's what I was thinking. Not everyone wants or can afford a $3k set of headers and up-pipes. But if something vastly better than stock was readily available for a fraction of that price I think it would be a good start.

Again, I'm just throwing ideas out there.

Suggestions?

 

[WolfLMM]

How about cast stainless. We want to keep the heat in the eshaust. I know SS is more expensive, but what do you think?

 

[ROGUE GTS]

How about cast stainless. We want to keep the heat in the eshaust. I know SS is more expensive, but what do you think?

Finding a foundry to cast stainless is extremely difficult. It requires some special crucibles, higher power furnace, etc.

More expensive is an understatement, raw material cost would likely be 5x as high as a good high silicone iron. I'd only consider using the same material they use in turbine housings etc.

Ceramic coating takes care of the heat issue rather well.

 

[WolfLMM]

Not right now I'm in the metal working industry. Stainless can be had fairly cheap. However I do buy directly from the manufacturer, bypassing the suppliers. But yeh I guess the idea is to stay cheap yet effective.

Ceramic coating would be better than bare cast. How about laser cladding nickel on them? Thoughts

 

[WolfLMM]

Anyways I would be interested. Count me in.

 

[ROGUE GTS]

Not right now I'm in the metal working industry. Stainless can be had fairly cheap. However I do buy directly from the manufacturer, bypassing the suppliers. But yeh I guess the idea is to stay cheap yet effective.

Ceramic coating would be better than bare cast. How about laser cladding nickel on them? Thoughts

If you have a supplier I'm definitely open to it. But from what I've tried to source (through my foundries) it's out of orbit expensive.

I was just going to go to the local place I know that makes probably 50% of the turbine housings for the aftermarket suppliers.

I have looked at nickel and it looks AWESOME :coolspot: There is also a flame sprayed type coating (similar to a zinc spray galv) that looks interesting.

 

[SIKDMAX]

Good to see you around still ROGUE

 

[S Phinney]

ATS is suppose to be releasing cast headers in the future. Coated stainless headers and uppipes are 2150.00 to purchase. Some would like a cheaper alternative but stainless is the best.

 

[paint94979]

ATS is suppose to be releasing cast headers in the future. Coated stainless headers and uppipes are 2150.00 to purchase. Some would like a cheaper alternative but stainless is the best.

Probably not going to buy from ATS