SmokinJoe

iTrader: (17)

Whats wrong with the POS stamped metal gaskets? The OEM is the fiber type, yes?

jbrown

iTrader: (17)

I got the SS Autocrap one. It was so cheap that I just had to see it, didn't expect it to be any good, and I was right. But at least it lasted long enough to get my OEM manifold ported and HPC coated so all I had to do was swap them.

jbrown

iTrader: (17)

Check what I had to say about them here:

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=216044

My SS Autocrap manifold came with one of those junky gaskets where it meets the turbo and it literally lasted 1 day. DEFINITELY get new OEM gaskets!

Edit: The OEM gaskets are NOT fiber. The one at the head is multilayer metal and the one at the turbo is a very thick metal one. Never seen anything like it.

91TSiGuy

iTrader: (10)

I think you answered your question in the thread title-- "the cheap Ebay stuff". Whether or not you were referring to the price, it also applies to the quality of those products. Seriously, support the companies here in the states that either do the porting/coating work or build the quality manifolds themselves. If you ever do have problems you will most likely receive the proper services needed to correct them rather than dealing with the middle men resellers of these knock-off companies.

SmokinJoe

iTrader: (17)

Brown -

That's good info. I'll order up the OEM gasket. I've seen a multi metal-type before.


And I know the Ebay stuff is cheap - but I've seen Tomei and other reputable co's selling what looks to be the exact same Chinese built headers. So why pay for a name, when you are getting the same part.
At least, that was my thinking. The responses have been very helpful - and it appears the Megan manifold is a pretty good one for $200.

jbrown

iTrader: (17)

The Megan one is built better than the eBay one, but neither of them are the same as the Tomei or JIC or Borla, etc.

There are over 50 different grades of stainless steel. 304 and 321 are the most common in exhaust systems. 321 is better when the EGT is very high, like a turbo application, but not many ppl use it because it has a very high expansion rate, which can cause stress on the welds. Plus it is more expensive.

I doubt the eBay one uses either of these materials because mine turned black almost instantly and I have never seen a good manifold do that so quickly. The eBay one also uses very thin primary tubes and whenever you weld something thin to something thick (like the flanges) then the welds are difficult in the first place and the expansion rates are drastically different. A thicker primary is not only stronger and better at holding in the heat, but it's going to expand less at high temps and as such the welds will last longer.

jqturbo

iTrader: (4)

Ebay sells the Megan manifold also! Just like in the link that he posted?! There is the SSAutochrome joint, and the Megan which can both be found on EBAY!

Fireball

iTrader: (15)

Here's the crap-o gasket that blew on me...



Notice, both the center section is gone, along with the blowout on the side.

jbrown

iTrader: (17)

haha, mine did the exact same thing!

jbrown

iTrader: (17)

I was referring to the SS Autocrap one, didn't know the Megan was being whored out on eBay too. It is still better than the other one, but a compromise nonetheless.