Headers

[Blue86SVO]

I have heard mixed reviews about a turbo header for these cars. The ATR cracks and the like. Anyone have a good experience with any. I see there are 2 guys making there own. Is the E6 manifold an add on or is it already exsistant on the SVO's

Jan

[svobud]

The E6 was stock on 85 1/2 - 86 models. You can also find it on later production TurboCoupes (87-88).

[8T6 SVO]

E6

Bud,

My 86 SVO came stock with a E3 - I've heard others say the same. My build date is 12-4-85. I've heard of people with a build date in April that their cars came stock with the E6. Do you know if there was a specific date or time that Ford started producing the SVO with the E6?

Thanks,

8T6

[svobud]

Re: E6

Originally posted by 8T6 SVO
Do you know if there was a specific date or time that Ford started producing the SVO with the E6?

Not really....guess it was a hit or miss. Maybe they had some leftover parts and ran out of E6 castings at some point during production assembly. It wouldn't be the first time that Ford did something freaky on the production line.

[svono50]

I would have to agree with Bud, there is no gaurantee to what parts your car will get on the production line.

As it is, my 86 came with an E6 manifold with a 01/22/86 build date. I would have to look at my front timing belt cover to see the build date of the engine, since it was built on an earlier date and sat in cue to be put in the car.

The cheapest route for an exhaust manifold is the E6 and in ported form is not a "bad" choice by any means. You can get well over 300hp with it, so don't discount it because it came from the factory. Aftermarket pieces are not always the "best" choice. Just my $0.02.

[gbeaird]

I recently received one of Bob Lee's manifolds. VERY nice piece of work. I am waiting to get it ceramic coated before installing it, but even if it doesn't give much performance gain, the lower weight should help a LOT. It looks like the exhaust port size is carefully matched, or possibly a _little_ smaller than the exhaust port on the head, but the end the turbo mounts to looks to be a little bigger than the E6. I am going from memory of how my factory exhaust manifold looks, so I may not be entirely correct here. It _is_ lighter, though, and that should help some in the weight distribution.

Gene Beaird
86 2R SVO
Pearland, Texas

[svono50]

Gene, Please let us know how things go after you install Bob's manifold! You could to a write up in the product review section. I have been curious about his manifold since reading about it some time ago, but have yet to really see anyone out there use it. Personally I think it could be a great alternative to the folks who need to replace their cracked E3 or a potential upgrade for the E6 folks, as long as it bolts up and works.

[svocudd]

Rod's Header

Rod over at Turboford.org is also making a SWEET looking header. I belive, based on the posts, the first ones are almost completed.

If anyone from the SVOCA gets one lets see a review of it as well. Bob and Rod are both making nice products but NO ONE has yet to publish any flow data or dyno numbers that can speak to the actual performance benefit of either header.


Cudd

[Majestic]

I've got one...

I've got one of Bob's original log manifolds on the 84 SVO. I had a ported e6 prior and don't really feel much difference between the two. Bob's header feels stronger on the top end, but not by much. I would agree that the log header looks nice and is considerably lighter than the stock unit. (Knocks on wood) I've not had any trouble with the header cracking after 5k of use. The next time I have the turbo off I will take the header to be resurfaced, though, as many of Bob's original headers would not seal because he sent them unsurfaced. I understand he has corrected the problem on the later units. Mine has a gasket, tons of gasket spray and some longer bolts and only seals up after the car has run for 5 minutes or so.

Rod's header definitely looks sweet. Had I not spent the $ for Bob's already, I would probably give Rod's unit a try (ha, ha).

Chris

[richsvo]

Guys,

I have Rod's unit on order as we speak. I am supposed to be getting one of the first ten. After I get it, install it, drive it, and see how it works, I will post and let you guys know.

Rich

[NO 5 OH]

I've got one too...

I also have the log-style header that Bob Lee makes and I must say it's a very quality piece of work. Ports on the inside are huge, and the flange to where the turbo bolts up is gasket matched to metal gasket that goes in between the two. As Majestic said it helps out on the top end, as when we first got the header on my car it chirped third gear for the first time since I had the car. This may not seem like much, but considering it would hardly chirp second when I first bought the car I consider that progress.

I had a doozy of a time bolting mine up, but it was mainly due to a lot of rusty bolts and years of high heat use. The header will bolt right up, as well as the turbo and wastegate assembly. I developed an exhaust leak on mine, but this was due to the fact that I didn't retorque the header bolts after driving the car for some time. I painted my header after I got it with high temp flat black... but I suggest to anyone else out there that may paint their's to use 1500 to 1600 degree paint. I painted mine with 1200 degree paint and it didn't last through the first "test and tune: session

[lonchair]

Well to chime in, my 85.5 was made on the last day of production and came with an E3 manifold.

[Greg]

What I have seen is that most headers like ATR are made from 304,304L stainless which is only good up to 850 deg. A turbo engine will produce exhuast temps around 1200 deg under boost which will break down the 304 stainless headers. I am looking into producing a header made from 321 or 316 stainless which can handle up to 1600 deg. But the cost is higher for this metal, this is way many header builders are using 304 because it is cheaper and may last a year or two on a street car that may only see temps around 1200 for a short time.

[RonMeyer]

Would ceramic coating the 304 stainless header help make it last longer?

[Eyelawdoc]

Ceramic coating a 304 stainless header would cause it to retain more heat, thus speeding its demise.