Hks exhaust manifold question
 

Has anyone had an experience with the hks exhaust manifold for a t4?? Fitment, Quality, Issues??

Thank you !

good solid unit. Not the best but it's hks and it's cast so it will last.... Heh, I'm a poet and didn't know it :)

Wow just one response??? No one else has run this manifold??

It is a great manifold for the money. It will not crack and it will allow fitment of many different turbos. One major drawback is that it is limited to the use of the 38mm wastegate as HKS stopped making the 50mm in that bolt pattern. We have developed an adapter to install the TiAL 44mm for applications requiring a larger WG.

http://banzai-racing.com/store/manifolds.html

http://banzai-racing.com/store/HKS_TiAL_adapter.html

Fitment is perfect. Here is a GT35R we recently put together for a customer.

http://banzai-racing.com/2009_custom...ov_install.jpg

Im going to say this and let myself get flamed,but:

I just didnt feel right buying a cast iron mani when thats the thing everyone talks crap about with OEM. I understand the differences between the two, but it didnt feel far enough away from the original "problem"

It feels like that is unspoken around here, that stainless steel is favored over cast iron. No one has ever said it to me, but when doing my research, its definately favored.

I know that doesnt answer your question, but it scared me away from buying one honestly.

Rob

*remember this is coming from someone who has no experience with the HKS unit lol

^^^ I feel the same way about the cast manifolds. I was going to buy one but i seen a ebay manifold for $100 and decided to get that instead. idk theres just something about it being cast steers me away i suppose. its probably a good solid unit though

What "problem" is it that you are eluding to that you think they might have in common? If you have done all this research please share.

You do know that the OEM manifold and the HKS T4 are miles apart, right?

The Ebay manifolds are virtually gauranteed to fall apart on you. The wall thickness is far too thin, "great" as long as you don't mind changing/repairing the manifold often

Tubular is preferred over cast, however the HKS cast is many many times superior to any ebay cheapo manifold.

The cast unit isn't a bad unit, it's certainly durable and cost effective.

~S~

Chris you and I both know, you would be the first to critique me :-D

You practically introduced me to RX-7s.

I put problem in "" because the average forum member makes comments regarding the heat soaked cast iron 22lb manifold. I don't but I'm drinking the coolaid a little. I'll buy into the idea of a heat retention slapped next to the exhaust housing is a concern.

So, cast iron = cast iron and voilà an assumption is born. You and I both know that surface area and air flow path makes a huge difference. But I still can't deny that cast iron concerns me when there are better options

Make sense? It's like a superstition. Enough people believe it and my brain starts avoiding black
cats under ladders even if I don't buy those notions.

Nothing wrong with the cast iron HKS or GReedy units for either the FC or FD. They are bullet proof and will last YEARS. The metal used is superior to the stock cast manifolds (higher nickel content) and I suspect you won’t find cracks like the stock stuff for many miles and years to come. The preference for stainless tubular is a performance choice, not a longevity or cost benefit. A well designed tubular will flow better and spool quicker over the FC log style cast manifolds and the short runners of the FD cast units. If you’re looking for a set it and forget type manifold and have a budget the Cast is the way to go. If you are looking for the ultimate in performance or like the bling of tubular and have deep pockets, go that route.

Also, the cheap PIECES OF SH!T stainless manifolds found on eBay and other low end websites not only have poor quality of metal used and will need replacing every so often (in most cases for those that actually drive their cars), but the merge portion where the runners meet the turbo flange is an extremely POOR design/shortcut in the fabrication. They eventually went from the T4 foot print flange to some made up double D (ahh hut hut, double D) pattern that is HORRIBLE for flow into the turbine entrance. I suspect using a divided cast HKS unit would not only LAST longer, but OUT_PERFORM those shitty cheap manifolds due to the design flaws.

~Mike..............

HKS cast and ceramic coated, FC 10yrs and counting, no probs!

works for me!