Tubular Exhaust Manifolds

[ocondi]

I purchased a "Pace Setter" tubular manifold for under $200. Compared to the $500-$1200 range, this seemed to be a frugal decision at that time. I have since had to machine the flange, weld a beed around the pipes to flange, weld the pipes in several places and weld the collector. Now the damn thing stress cracked almost completely around the collector.

Is this just made of poor quality steal?

Is the thickness too thin?

Since the tubes are of un-equal length, are there pockets of gases not escaping and causing a super-heating effect?

Are cheap parts always a bad itea?

[Jason]

I've heard of similar results in the Corvette/Camaro LS1 world with Pace Setter products.

I had a Pace Setter system on my old Porsche 914. It was of very low quality.
I sold the car before any real problems arose.

[AWD4g63t]

Someone once told me that if I purchased a Pace Setter tubular mani that he would not install when he was done building my motor......LOL!

[dsm_gsx97]

Kenny got one a few years ago. Worst POS I've ever seen. You get what you pay for. Very cheap steel, and crappy workmanship. They had lots of problems with them breaking and they put a support bracket in there, but from what I remember they still broke. There are a lot of places for you to be able to go cheap, but manifolds, intake and exhaust, are not the place.

[dsm_gsx97]

I realized I didn't give you many tubular options. DNP is probably the best (cheap) way to go if wanting tubular and keeping the Mitsu exhaut housing type of turbo.
http://www.dnperformance.com/eclipse.html#dnp55

Of course IMO, with a Mitsu exhaust housing turbo you should probably just keep to a 2G (or Evo3) manfold that is ported unless you want to spend money for a shiney manifold.

On the other hand...if you were to switch to a T3 or T4 turbo your options open with turbos and manifolds.

This is where Hal had his custom one made. You can get a custom made or T3 or T4 setup...
http://www.shearermotorsport.com/

These are very nice also...but pricey...
http://www.full-race.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_46

I'm sure on ebay you can find a ton of other manifolds that are made for mitsubishi exhaust housing's, T3's and T4's.

Personally I'm doing a T4 cast manfold for my setup that is almost identical to the "old school" HKS ones like what Erik A. has. Only I won't have one of the original 300 like he does. Mine will be a copy.

[Jon Sisk]

I've got the PaceSetter mani. It's a POS. However, I had Erron weld the back of the flange and then I ported it out and I've been running it for over a year with no problems

[ocondi]

I've got the PaceSetter mani. It's a POS. However, I had Erron weld the back of the flange and then I ported it out and I've been running it for over a year with no problems

I did the same thing to only have it crack in other places. I think the Pace Setter can only handle <350 HP. When ever I squezzed the bottle something would always break or crack

[ocondi]

Thanks for the links Chris. Since I had some credit with Slowboy Racing, I ordered the DNP one. Hopefully it will be here in time for the Dyno Day at 9 second racing!!!!

[Jon Sisk]

I think the Pace Setter can only handle <350 HP. When ever I squezzed the bottle something would always break or crack

Hardy har har, that's me (<350hp) The DNP is a much better choice, although for my cheap arse (<$350) I like the POS PS :D

[dsm_gsx97]

Hardy har har, that's me (<350hp) The DNP is a much better choice, although for my cheap arse (<$350) I like the POS PS :D

Did ya get it from Kenny? :D

Shawn had bad luck with this DNP. It was almost like the flange was welded on backwards. The gasket holes didn't line up one way but did the other way. The problem was it was the wrong way for the car to work right. I've since seen 4-5 of the DNP ones and they look like they've corrected the issue Shawn had.

[rlarsen]

Someone once told me that if I purchased a Pace Setter tubular mani that he would not install when he was done building my motor......LOL!

That would be me. I would've rather made a header out of Scotch tape that use that flaming piece of crap Pacesetter. You'd be better off with SSAutochrome.

DNP makes a good unit. We had one briefly on the race car (too brief for me to comment on cracking), and the fitment and overall finish quality was excellent.

Ultimately, the best tubular header is one you make yourself, or have someone custom fabricate for you. Make sure you don't use different metals in it (flanges, tubing, or filler), and you should be okay as far as cracking goes.