Follow-up question on a YJ exhaust manifold

[M G D]

A couple of questions about an exhaust manifold. First, I was told that since my YJ came stock with a cast iron manifold it has to be replaced by cast iron only, I can't replace with a stainless steel one... Is that right? Also, an opinion on a supplier, has anyone heard of A-1 Supply located in Massachuttes? It's a automotive supply company & they sell a 2.5 cast iron manifold for $79 with free shipping. I've priced manifolds for approximately $139 so is a $60 savings too good to be true? Thanks MGD

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

You can run a stainless steel or any other aftermarket header, but it may mean a modification to the downpipe to attach the exhaust to the header. Gonna run you a lot more than the replacement manifold.

 

[Saddle Tramp]

$79 with free shipping is cheap to me but this stuff all comes from China or similar points now. As Bounty said, you can put what you want on it you just may need to adjust your down pipe.

 

[M G D]

$79 with free shipping is cheap to me but this stuff all comes from China or similar points now. As Bounty said, you can put what you want on it you just may need to adjust your down pipe.

Thanks for the info, learning something new everyday. Do you think changing from Cast to Stainless, other than the down pipe mod, an advantage worth the $$ and effort? If I only have to do it once now and not every few years it might be worth it. Any thoughts on that? Thanks, MGD

 

[superj]

if it lasts and doen't require rework every few years, i would say yes.

 

[M G D]

if it lasts and doen't require rework every few years, i would say yes.

Yeah, I agree.. and that's the question, do you have any experience with what would last longer, steel or cast iron? From all the comments it sure sounds like cast has a cracking problem

 

[superj]

Well, I have no real 2.5 experience but aren't the cast and steel exhausts on the 4.0 both cracking, also? My cherokees always had cast and the all cracked but the 87 model 4.0 on my cherokee I just traded. On the wranglers we have, the 87 (no idea if cast or steel since I have not looked at it) is not cracked but the 93 with the more steel looking is cracked at the welds. I would go with an aftermarket tubular header style and have the down pipe modded by a local shop. You should gain some hp and gas mileage and it shouldn't crack again (if its a decent aftermarket manufacturer)

 

[M G D]

Well, I have no real 2.5 experience but aren't the cast and steel exhausts on the 4.0 both cracking, also? My cherokees always had cast and the all cracked but the 87 model 4.0 on my cherokee I just traded. On the wranglers we have, the 87 (no idea if cast or steel since I have not looked at it) is not cracked but the 93 with the more steel looking is cracked at the welds. I would go with an aftermarket tubular header style and have the down pipe modded by a local shop. You should gain some hp and gas mileage and it shouldn't crack again (if its a decent aftermarket manufacturer)

Now that's good info.. thanks for the insight. Merry Christmasb to you & yours!