Stainless Marine Manifolds

[imported_scott_m]

Hi all...well, the beast is on the way to FL from Georgia. My 36 Wellcraft should be here mid-week. I'm having her dropped at a yard for bottom paint before launching. I've owned this boat (on freshwater) for about 7 years now, and I know I'm on borrowed time on the manifolds and elbows. I've heard the OEM manifolds are total junk in saltwater, but have heard some great things about Stainless Marine manifolds and elbows. Anyone have any experience with these? Good or bad? Any performance gains to be found?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Stainless Marine Manifolds

Haven't heard of stainless manifolds. But they sure do make stainless headers. That would give you more horsepower, and drain your checking account.

 

[imported_scott_m]

Re: Stainless Marine Manifolds

Here is a link to their site. They appear to be a combination of stainless and aluminum. Slightly more even flow/runner lenght than standard iron. I've seen these installed on ship shape TV...<br /><br /> http://www.stainlessmarine.com/faq.html

 

[skicat]

Re: Stainless Marine Manifolds

How can you tell when your manifolds and elbows need to be replaced?

 

[imported_scott_m]

Re: Stainless Marine Manifolds

Well, when you toss a rod thru the block or bust a crank, you can be sure they're done.<br /><br />Seriously...<br /><br />Hot spots on the manifolds, lots of white steam in the exhaust (on days there should not be a lot of steam...think 80 degree normal day), higher engine room temps, higher motor temps.<br /><br />Alternatively, you can pull off the elbow and visually inspect them.<br /><br />Coming from fresh water, we never really thought of these as maintenance items, but as I understand it, you're lucky to get two-three years out of Mercury OEM manifolds.

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Stainless Marine Manifolds

Are not familiar with this brand of manifolds but had alot of experience with the welded ones of years past. As a old dealer for Commander Marine, whose biggest selling point was stainless manifolds, seen a bunch over the years. Don't remember who built them for Commander but they were located in the South Florida/Miami area. They worked well but due to the thinness of the stainless, you had alot of exhaust noise in the engine compartment. Kinda tinny sound. Afer several years the welds would start leaking. Would start as pin holes and pretty shortly you had a shower in the bilge. They used a stainless plate where it bolts up to the head and worked well till you had to replace the gasket or remove the head. The plate would warp and you could never get them to seal again. Use to stack as many as three gaskets between them and the head to get them to seal. They did look pretty tho.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Stainless Marine Manifolds

You'll need a second mortgage on those babies!

 

[fireship1]

Re: Stainless Marine Manifolds

I could buy plenty of cast manifolds for what those puppies cost. Maybe even a lifetime supply for my little four banger!

 

[Laddies]

Re: Stainless Marine Manifolds

"BOAT" Bring Over Another Thousand

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Stainless Marine Manifolds

I'd just go to Dennis Moore, buy his well made Man's, and running in salt just toss in 4 years. The price of salt....and cheaper than a repower with water intrusion in the motor.<br />Click web page

 

[navigator336]

Re: Stainless Marine Manifolds

There's a manufacturer in Australia that makes the ss manifolds and risers as an integrated part. They have screw in zincs which apparently give them an extended life. I priced them a couple of years ago for a 5.7 liter application. The price for two sets was about $2200 or $1100 per engine if I recall correctly. You can find them on the web. The owner was very good about answering e-mails and even called me regarding specific questions. He had good performance test data showing some minor power improvements. All told, I just replaced the cast iron risers on one engine last week with cast iron risers. The old ones were 5 years old and still looked good, but I'm in California and they supposedly last longer in our cooler salt water.

 

[jimmythekid]

Re: Stainless Marine Manifolds

Stainless Marine is a brand name. They are located in Miami I think. They were featured on Ship Shape TV. Look pretty nice IMHO, and they also offer stock replacements that are supposed to be better than OEM. They look nice on TV

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Stainless Marine Manifolds

Heres the Aussie site.<br /><br /> http://www.hitekmarine.com.au <br /><br />Aldo

 

[JasonB]

Re: Stainless Marine Manifolds

As a side note, hitek in Aus also makes SS manifold/risers for Ford small Blocks as well. Talk about something rare as hens teeth...<br /><br />I'll also vouch that they respond quickly. i explained what I had in an e-mail and had a price and more information is just a few hours. Cost was about $1200 or so delivered if I remember right. They also had specific instructions/pieces for replacement of my mercruiser manifolds while keeping the Y pipe if I wante. Super nice folks.