SHOULD I WORRY-Facelift MK3 Manifolds

[MR2Adam]

Firstly, hello everyone. I've just recently bought myself a facelift MK3 and the one thing that I would love to settle is this...

Do you have to worry about the pre cats on the facelifted MK3's???

From what I hear it's mostly the early, pre facelift cars that have issues with the piston rings failing which then leaks through into the pre cats and then breaks them down. But has anyone heard of any issues with pre cats on a facelift car?

Thanks

[shnazzle]

Firstly, hello everyone. I've just recently bought myself a facelift MK3 and the one thing that I would love to settle is this...

Do you have to worry about the pre cats on the facelifted MK3's???

From what I hear it's mostly the early, pre facelift cars that have issues with the piston rings failing which then leaks through into the pre cats and then breaks them down. But has anyone heard of any issues with pre cats on a facelift car?

Thanks

I a word; no. Not worry.
Take preventative action?... Yes.
Get them out.

Facelift cars suffer the same fate, just less so. You never know how it was maintained. If it was maintained perfectly (PS.. "full Toyota service" history means nothing) then the chances are very slim, but not impossible.


EDIT: oh, forgot, welcome!  s:) s:)  post some details of your pride and joy in the Newbie section

[MR2Adam]

Firstly, hello everyone. I've just recently bought myself a facelift MK3 and the one thing that I would love to settle is this...

Do you have to worry about the pre cats on the facelifted MK3's???

From what I hear it's mostly the early, pre facelift cars that have issues with the piston rings failing which then leaks through into the pre cats and then breaks them down. But has anyone heard of any issues with pre cats on a facelift car?

Thanks

I a word; no. Not worry.
Take preventative action?... Yes.
Get them out.

Facelift cars suffer the same fate, just less so. You never know how it was maintained. If it was maintained perfectly (PS.. "full Toyota service" history means nothing) then the chances are very slim, but not impossible.


EDIT: oh, forgot, welcome!  s:) s:)  post some details of your pride and joy in the Newbie section

Brilliant! That's definitely the answer I was looking for. Means I don't have to worry while I get a decat manifold sorted.

Is there anything that I should know before fitting a decat manifold too?

Thanks very much! I will indeed  s:D s:D

[shnazzle]

Firstly, hello everyone. I've just recently bought myself a facelift MK3 and the one thing that I would love to settle is this...

Do you have to worry about the pre cats on the facelifted MK3's???

From what I hear it's mostly the early, pre facelift cars that have issues with the piston rings failing which then leaks through into the pre cats and then breaks them down. But has anyone heard of any issues with pre cats on a facelift car?

Thanks

I a word; no. Not worry.
Take preventative action?... Yes.
Get them out.

Facelift cars suffer the same fate, just less so. You never know how it was maintained. If it was maintained perfectly (PS.. "full Toyota service" history means nothing) then the chances are very slim, but not impossible.


EDIT: oh, forgot, welcome!  s:) s:)  post some details of your pride and joy in the Newbie section

Brilliant! That's definitely the answer I was looking for. Means I don't have to worry while I get a decat manifold sorted.

Is there anything that I should know before fitting a decat manifold too?

Nope not really.

Make sure it has the two bungs for the o2 sensors and it's preferable for it to have the lower back brackets to bolt onto the block. There are some manifolds that don't have them and anecdotal evidence suggests that the manifold can crack under the swaying.

Zero manifolds and PPE are the kings of manifolds, but prohibitively expensive.
We have a member, Hamish, who sells good and very daily priced manifolds. I believe 120. That'd be my advice.

Make sure you get gaskets from Toyota. Particularly the head to manifold one can be iffy off ebay

[minimike]

Just a thought.....but why does everyone always seem to advise to replace the standard manifold with an after market one? I know that some of these can be problematic too with cracking or alignment issues. I have always just smashed out the (albeit healthy and intact) pre cats from both my previous two's and re-used the OEM manifold with no issues. Plus it's cheaper and maintains the originality of the car.

Are there any other advantages to replacing the manifold altogether?

[mr9]

I haven't removed my pre cats in an 06. If it goes bang, it just means I'll have to 2zz swap. :  s:) s:)

[hamspeed]

Just a thought.....but why does everyone always seem to advise to replace the standard manifold with an after market one? I know that some of these can be problematic too with cracking or alignment issues. I have always just smashed out the (albeit healthy and intact) pre cats from both my previous two's and re-used the OEM manifold with no issues. Plus it's cheaper and maintains the originality of the car.

Are there any other advantages to replacing the manifold altogether?

That largely comes down to quality control and the suitability of materials used. It took me nearly 6 months of research, negotiations and multiple different samples before I was happy with the specification of my product. Most "cheap" manifolds are produced in 201 - i.e. thin, kitchen grade metal.  s:shock: :shock: s:shock:  

The advantages are Aesthetics - Comparing a rusty 10-15 year old mild steel manifold versus a polished stainless steel equivalent), and Performance - Expect an increase in throttle response and mid range torque (not the +15bhp claim made by some other suppliers!)

[shnazzle]

Gutting the stock manifold was the defacto standard operation to be fair. I'm running exactly that, as are the majority of people.

It's just that for the price Hamish is offering his (proven good) manifolds for, it's silly not to.
Also, the stock gutted manifold does leave an odd hesitance in the higher rpm area. Not noticeable to most but bugs the hell out of me.
It became even more noticeable once I got a piggyback and opened up my intake. Granted, the TTE is not know for its great flow either.

So, it's on my list of changes to do.
Also, when you replace it you need to replace gaskets and sometimes broken bolts,so for all that effort and expense, might as well do it "properly".

[Carolyn]

A slight disagreement with Hamish:  The manifold performs best when wrapped, so no bling factor!!  I do agree that you will get a somewhat livelier car.  Probably the only bolt-on goodie that makes a real difference to performance.

[minimike]

Well I guess that answers my question then. I honestly didn't realise the performance gain was there. I think I will add this to my wish list.

Thanks for the replies.