Why log style instead of tubular[exhaust]?

[2point3Tsi]

Why do people recommend cast for reliability? What about Tubular Manifolds warrantied against that? The main reason I wanted to go tubular was for performance reasons to spin the turbo faster with a divided manifold. Daily-Street 400whp on the fabulous 92 swill is my goal.

 

[delta448]

Cast manifolds are more resistant to cracking. They are thicker and will also hold heat better. Tubular manifolds are much better for performance, but they cool-down much quicker since they have more surface area and are made of thinner materials. Thermal expansion usually will be the cause of the eventual failure. Personally, I'll never buy a tubular unless I can't find a cast piece to do the job.

 

[Lunch_Box]

The main reason that a tubular mani will crack is because of the strees the turbo puts on it. If you are really worried just add some extra bracing to support the turbo. Places like Shearer offer a life time warrenty to the origanal buyer of their manis so there really isn't much to worry about if you buy a good quality piece.

 

[punishment]

A well built tubular manifold has no more chance of cracking than a cast manifold, actually probably less of a chance. A cracked cast manifold isnt uncommon at all, look at the stockers. If your buying a cheap tubular yeah it's probably break at some point, but if you buy from a reputable builder who puts together a high quality piece and lifetime's their work you've got nothing to worry about.

Tim

 

[delta448]

Key words Tim said: well built
-and Punishment's are.

I'm definitely not saying there aren't any that are well built, or that the stock manifold is anything great -cause it really isn't. But there are countless other tubulars out there that aren't well built.

I like to keep things simple. If I was building a drag queen, I'd probably go tubular too. But I like to drive my car on the street. I like to not worry about the possibility a weakly welded spot is going to pop a leak and start a grease fire. But I also don't have any need for a $700 manifold to gain 150rpms of spool time or an extra 30hp while screaming along at 8500rpm. I spend most of my seat time between 2000 and 5000rpms, just like most street cars do.

Maybe a stroker would get more out of a tubular than a 2.0, since they are usually choking for airflow anyways, but either way I'd rather have a little less performance and have something I'm not going to stress about breaking. If you have the budget for tubular, go ahead, and I wish you luck. I'd definitely buy from someplace reputable that offers a lifetime warranty, like either Punishment or Shearer as mentioned.

 

[IslandTSI]

Tubulars are very expensive as well compared to cast pieces. Cost prohibitive for most of us, when a ported 2g manifold flows pretty damn well as it is