Cheap Ebay header / manifold

[*andy*]

I want to get my pre cats out but was just looking at manifold options as it would be easier than explaining to a garage what to do!

Cheap Ebay one

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140412700971

The only reason I'm looking at this is because from what I have read, the CHE manifold is actually just a cheap chinese one anyway? If this is similar to the CHE then it is much cheaper at £130 shipped including import duty. I know the CHE comes with a real Toyota gasket too but it would still work out cheaper after buying one.

I'm not planning enough else engine wise to warrent buying a PPE header or similar, so am I better off gutting the standard pre cat or is this worth a shot? (obviosuly if I ignore their performance increase figures and buy a better gasket)

[Ilogik]

che's does produce some decent stuff, it does the job and if your a spyderchat user you get a lifetime warranty on the goods which is worth noting.

This is Che

 m http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Toyota-M ... 348wt_1167 m

Have bought a few items and have been very pleased with the quality and speed of shipping.

[Wabbitkilla]

It probably comes out of the same factory as Che's anyway, get a proper Toyota gasket and you're going to be fine.
Gutting precats isn't too bad (messy but not bad), but you'll probably snap the heatshield bolts anyway as they have a habit of welding themselves in.

[*andy*]

Thanks for the link to the Che, I couldn't see it on ebay.

I was looking for the Che originally, its just that it works out at about £240 shipped without import duty paid. Even with a new gasket on the other it is a significant price difference for potentially the same thing.

I think I might chance it, if the worst does happen I can quickly stick the old one back on that I can gut while its off, then look at better options.

[*andy*]

 s:? :? s:?   well I just bought it, can't be any worse than the standard one with the pre-cats in.

Will update on how good a fit it is!

[mrzwei]

Che would have been kind enough to send it as a gift.
I've had mine for probably four years with no problems. I used a new Toyota gasket and two new Toyota crush gaskets and torqued everything up to - manifold to head, 37nm/27ftlbs, manifold to cat, nut - 62nm/41ftlbs, bolt - 43nm/32ftlbs (credit to Aaron for that info). If you do it yourself then preparation with plenty of PlusGas is the way forward plus a hot engine (there now follows yet another health & safety warning).

[Ilogik]

A snapped manifold stud is a ball ache

[*andy*]

Thanks for the info, yes I will start soaking all rusty parts now to make sure it comes off alright. I'm just wondering if it may be easier to have it fitted somewhere, not sure what I'd do if I did snap a stud!

[wbarrwebster]

Hi,

i bought the non Che manifold via Ebay about 2 years ago, had it fitted locally. As has been stated previously, use Mr T gaskets as mine had to be refitted, other than that, everything ok..touch wood!

B

[sh4branze]

I have been using a Ebay header also with a Toyota gasket.3 years and still looks and works like new.

[Anonymous]

I just fitted one of these manifolds to my 2000 roadster that I bought around two weeks ago.

 m http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0412700971 m

The delivery time to Scotland was fantastic and took only 2 days from order in the USA which is awesome in my opinion.

When fitting Ii did have to file down the right O2 sensor port of the manifold as the pipe was slightly overlapping inside where the weld is made which stopped the O2 sensor screwing into pposition, no biggie though as after a little filing the sensor fitted into the port perfectly. This is something I would advise you to check though before fitting the manifold to the car, simply try both O2 sensors in the sockets of the manifold before you commit to fit.

I also reused the original Toyota manifold gasket at the top and no blows, I did however use the two new crushable  O Rings that come with the stainless steel manifold for the exhaust seals and the work perfectly again no blowing.

No bolts, studs snapped or any other problems arose when fitting and I never even used lubricating fluid to soften them, once you cracked the bolts they all came out fine.

All in all this manifold is fantastic value and I would recommend it fully for £130 delivered it a great option in place of ripping you original cats out of the stock manifold.

As a side note my 2000 roadster with 49000 miles on the clock pre-cats were in perfect condition top and bottom.

Also no CEL lights after the new de-catted manifold was fitted as there shouldn't be anyway as the two manifold O2 sensors sample the gas flow before it passed through the pre-cats so removing them has no effect on the sensors readings  s;) s;)

[Goeman]

I have that manifold from the OP fitted. It does the job but don't expect it to fit straight away and the heatshield mounts are in the wrong place. It's a £100 manifold and you get what you pay for but like I said it does the job.

[FuZZy_gr]

Reading this topic i wonder..Am i the only one that got his che header cracked in 3 month use??

[Wabbitkilla]

I had mine on a couple of years and it never cracked.

Make sure you fit the supports that link it to the engine at the bottom

[Anonymous]

I fitted the Ebay version from Racerbits in the states, good fit no problems and seems to be a bit louder which i presume means a better flow through the standard silencer.No downsides as far as i can see....

[*andy*]

I finally got this fitted yesterday, very happy with it, the fit was perfect!

I was also pleasantly surprised with the sound it makes, I was expecting nothing from what I read on here but it definitely makes some noise!

I asked the garage not to fit the heashield back on, meaning just the top section, but they didn't put any of them back on, will that cause any problems anywhere!?

[ad_car_08]

I'd be curious to know whether the 02 sensor cables would melt if the heatshields are kept off.
Since gutting the precats, my heatshield has been quite rattly and it's doing my fruit! I'm aprehensive about removing it, for fear of doing damage

[*andy*]

The top one is fine to come off, I just wasn't sure whether it would have been better for the other 2 to go back on?

[chalced]

I have been running with no heatshields at all for over 2 years with no problems whatsoever....Dont even have the material heatshield underneath the bonnet !!

  s:D s:D  

Mel.

[*andy*]

That's ok then! Thanks for the reassurance!   s:D s:D

[Anonymous]

I have been running with no heatshields at all for over 2 years with no problems whatsoever....Dont even have the material heatshield underneath the bonnet !!

  s:D s:D  

Mel.

Same here ^^^^^^^^

Still got the black tray on mine though, only because it looks tidy   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

[Anonymous]

Hi

I am thinking of one of these as a cheap option to knocking out the precats.  I don't really expect any performance improvements but would appreciate any comments in that regard.

Also any opinions on fitting Thermo-tec exhaust wrap to it?

Finally, some Physics which I failed!!  The exhaust gases on the 1 & 3 cylinders look as if they have about the same distance to travel but the 2 &4 are quite different.  This bound to have a negative effect performance isn't it?   It also seems as if the overlap on the 2 & 4 were the other way round the lengths would be more equal - so why wasn't it made that way.  Just interested in having views on this.

plato25

[mrzwei]

There was a dyno test day probably a couple of years or so ago which did show some performance gains (albeit small) for people who had fitted the Che type manifold, also it is quite a lot lighter than the stock item. The pipe lengths are roughly the same as the stock item which means that one of them is quite a lot longer than the other three so if you want more performance that way then there are specialist manifolds about but 'cheap' they aint.
Whist some have removed the pre-cats with the manifold in situ, most have chosen to take it off, and if it is off anyway then you may as well replace with something more efficient. (Then there are insurance issues).
If you leave the heatshields off then heat tape is an option to keep the system efficient.
There is a massive amount of info both on here and on sc about this plus some good 'how to's'

[frogger]

Also any opinions on fitting Thermo-tec exhaust wrap to it?

Can't speak for the thermo-tec brand, but exhaust wrapping is a good plan - by keeping the heat in, the exhaust gasses are evacuated quicker through the system which is a good thing, though the next (unwrapped) section of the exhaust will receive more heat. Any reduction in engine bay temps is always good too.

The same goes for the stock heat shields I guess. Though I doubt you will notice any real difference with or without, purely due to the small gains it yields. But personally I always go for wrapping.

[Anonymous]

Hi all

Thanks for your comments.  I guess I'll go for changing the manifold rather than digging out the precats.  Just remains to get the best manifold I can for the money available.

plato23