cracked exhaust manifold

[Dave C. '04 Z06]

I believe my passenger side exhaust manifold is cracked. I will take it off and inspect it this weekend. Is this a common problem?

Also, who makes the best headers for the money for a 1995 LT-1 'vette?

Thanks,
-Dave C.

 

[Ken]

Is this a common problem?

No. Are you sure it's just not a leaking gasket?

 

[JonM]

Start spraying this stuff on the bolts now...

 

[Dave C. '04 Z06]

Although I'm not certain it's a cracked manifold and it could possibly be a blown gasket, I've heard many blown gaskets and this doesn't sound like that at all. This sounds more like a "gurgling hole in a muffler" sound rather than the "flap flap flap" sound of blown gasket.

Plus, as the car warms up it goes away. You only really hear it when it's cold. I re-torqued the bolts to the manifold and it didn't help. I also looked around the suspect port and it didn't look like a blown gasket (no black marks). But I cannot examine the manifold because the heat shield is around it.

-Dave C.

 

[8388]

I have seen them crack, and it's usually where the 4 primery pipes join together down where it bolts to the exhaust pipe. Mostly visable looking up into where the 4 are welded together. To do so, you must remove the exhaust pipe from the manifold.

P.S the manifolds are made of stainless steel, it's not a good idea to get them wet when hot, (*washing the engine*) this usually is the cause for cracks.

 

[Dave C. '04 Z06]

Actually, the LT-1 manifolds are cast iron. I think it is cracked under the heat shield between the #2 exhaust port and the #4 port. The long arm there.

I need to find out who makes good headers (cheap actually) because I am sure a manifold will be just as expensive.

-Dave C.

 

[8388]

My bad, I thought these were L-98 manifold. I've had good luck with the Hooker shorties aluminum coated. They fit great and with no ground clearance problems.

 

[Dave C. '04 Z06]

I ordered some Hooker headers last night from Summit racing. I'll put them on this weekend and hopefully that will be that.

One other issue: Does anyone know where I can get a AC compressor clutch for cheap? Apparently my pulley there is rattling around and I need to fix that too. It was overheated about a month ago (my girlfriend was driving..long story involving failure to shift to the next gear)

-Dave

 

[JonM]

Wow!!! I think its made of Platinum...

Delco part #15-4623
Site Part # 10243784

= $194.14


http://www.ac-direct.com

 

[Gorgon]

I have a cracked manifold on my '95 as well and will probably be looking to add headers when the time is near. The crack isn't real bad now so it will have to wait. The price Jon quoted on the manifold seems to be inline with the price I found at gmpartsdirect.com.

Interested to see how the headers work for you.

Leon

 

[Dave C. '04 Z06]

Thanks for the reply guys.

The hooker headers I ordered from Summit were $319+tax. So with 2nd day air shipping (so I can have them for this weekend) it was ~$345.

I know shorties won't increase performance much, but it is cheaper than the factory manifolds if I replaced both, and easier than making my own like I did for my Camaro. Plus, my emissions stuff will remain.

-Dave

 

[Dave C. '04 Z06]

oh, and JonM:

Who are those chicks in your picture????? They're HOT.

-Dave.

 

[Gorgon]

Jon, is that price for both manifolds? I went back and rechecked gmpartsdirect.com and have $94.11 per manifold and $10 for each gasket. Total price for two manifolds and two gaskets with estimated shipping is ~$255.

I'd still be interested in some modest performance gains by going the header route though. It's not really that much more for headers.

Leon