Wanted to get some discussion going around the various pros/cons of different exhaust manifold styles, and hopefully some comparisons/personal experience from those that have used different types.
Reason for bringing this up - I am currently running a stainless tubular manifold which has been great for the last 6 years or so but has now developed a severe crack across one of the welds (crack is an understatement, check the pic). Dont know the history on it, was on the car when i bought it and would appear to be a custom job similar in style to a few of the ebay units getting around.
Turbo is a Precision SCM50 (5031e) so has the round exhaust inlet which does limit manifold choices a bit, but am more interested in hearing your experiences on tubular design with longer runners versus the factory/evo 3 short runner design.
Ive actually already ordered a Forced Performance DSM race manifold (link) so will be able to update this later with my comparison of the two styles, but initial observations are a very clean merge/collector on the FP versus my current unit, and being cast hopefully no chance of cracking, but probably at the cost of some extra weight.
Not sure what will happen in the power/torque delivery department, will i gain some spool with shorter runners?
Im currently making 24psi by 3600 so a pretty usable power band (2.3 motor with 280 cams, 380hp atw).
Onto the pics...
The crack:
Current merge/collector versus the FP:
All this had to come off for one little crack: