Re: Log style exhaust conversion question
I'd be a little wary of stainless steel manifolds. As much as I love the idea, it was tried here in Australia about 15 years ago, and abandon. The problem was that when the drive ran out of water, for whatever reason, the internal tubes got very hot very quickly, then when water flow was restored, the cold water shock on the stainless cracked the welds. Water in exhaust system, you know how the rest of the story goes.....
Chris...
Funny you should mention that Chris, Hi-Tek's welding process and materials are top grade. The composition of the manifold is a polished stainless grade that is not as brittle as some stainless steels. As you know, there are many grades, and sub grades of SS, some more brittle than others depending upon the amount of chromium, nickel, moly, copper and titanium. Today, you can basically spec your own grade as well, if you are buying enough of it.
I'm just guessing here, but after working with so many OEMs, here is what I think happened: Merc tried to use the cheapest stainless they could, and tried to use substandard welding not suited to the product base material... Soooo it blew chunks and was too expensive to manufacture to fit projected margins. Chat with Allen @ HT. He's based down under, too. He backs his manis up with a 5 year warranty and has for many many years. If there were lots of problems out there with them, you can bet they would be all over the offshore forums and forums like iboats. Personally, I'd put them on my mom's boat.
