Car Parts

[Mojo]

So the exhaust manifold in my car is cracked and needs to be replaced. It's a 2001 Honda Civic Coupe LX. Replacing this part is actually very simple, it's just finding it that's the problem. Everywhere I look wants $500+ for some complete aftermarket exhaust assembly. I know I could probably get just the part I need for around $100 or cheaper. Maybe someone can point me in the right direction.

[Purrrfect]

A dealer or a junkyard?

I saw pacesetter makes a header supposedly for it, $260 at summit, but you'll have to probably do something like cutting the end off the stock pipe and welding their adapter piece on.

There has got to be a ton of civic forums online where you can find classifieds. Ebay too.

[idklol]

From my experience manifolds are usually not that cheap. I would try some scrap yards and hope for the best cause getting from the dealer will more than likely end up being very expensive.

[Mojo]

Salvage yard seems like the best bet. I called a place nearby and they said they had one for $75. Hopefully it works out.

[Cadsuane]

Just remember that you'll still need a new manifold gasket. Don't use the old one obviously.

[Lucavi]

Use some of that $16,000 you got from FFXI and replace that shit.

Stop being so cheap, richie rich.

[Mojo]

Well, the manifold they have was not the same. The manifold I need is integrated into the catalytic converter. The woman operating the store said that it was illegal to sell those used... the new ones are like $250+ at least...

[Cadsuane]

Yeah, can't sell used cats. If you're a really cheap redneck you can saw off the pipe between the cat and the manifold, then weld a flange in there... but I have a hard time seeing how that would save you more trouble than just buying a new assembly. Sounds like you're shit out of luck.

[Mojo]

The crack is above that, so that really isn't an option either. The car is a 2001 Civic LX. The EX models have non-retarded exhaust systems, so I'll probably convert over to that (the engines they use are the same so the manifolds fit both fine.) The only problem is that the piping is about 2 inches short this way (not to mention it wouldn't even include a catalytic converter.) I might end up just buying an aftermarket EX exhaust system considering it would be around the same price >_>

[Cadsuane]

That sounds like the best idea since that stock exhaust system is retarded. When your cat fails or rusts out you need a new manifold, when your manifold cracks you need a new cat.

If I understand you right it sounds like your cat was situated before the flex pipe, so I dunno if you're going to be able to get away with mating your current pipe assembly with the new manifold, and even if you do, you'll be doing it sans catalytic converter which means you're not passing sniff tests and as such your mechanic will probably be legally obliged to not install the part that way. If you are putting in a new cat it seems you're gonna end up replacing or modifying (cutting, bending, welding etc.) most of your exhaust pipe along with it.

[jmc]

Yeah, can't sell used cats. If you're a really cheap redneck you can saw off the pipe between the cat and the manifold, then weld a flange in there... but I have a hard time seeing how that would save you more trouble than just buying a new assembly. Sounds like you're shit out of luck.

would that be the same as running catless?

Always thought doing that would throw CEL's and pretty much make you fail inspection in most states?

[Cadsuane]

would that be the same as running catless?

Always thought doing that would throw CEL's and pretty much make you fail inspection in most states?

Nope, what I was suggesting would preserve his current cat. If I've got the description right going down the pipe you have exhaust ports > manifold > collector > catalytic converter > flange connecting the manifold/cat to the flex pipe > flex pipe > the rest of the exhaust. So you saw the cat and the manifold apart, weld a flange to the cat, and bolt that onto the new manifold. Which is still a pretty stupid idea even though it saves the current exhaust pipe, just creates all sorts of problems down the road.

[jmc]

Nope, what I was suggesting would preserve his current cat. If I've got the description right going down the pipe you have exhaust ports > manifold > collector > catalytic converter > flange connecting the manifold/cat to the flex pipe > flex pipe > the rest of the exhaust. So you saw the cat and the manifold apart, weld a flange to the cat, and bolt that onto the new manifold.

Gotcha....... thats some work, but pretty nice for a horrible setup OP's car has lol

[Mojo]

It looks something like this.

http://www.1aauto.com/img/ucart/imag...00635/main.JPG

The top part of this is the manifold, it's hard to see from this angle. It attaches directly to the motor. It's cracked where the manifold converges into one pipe. You can see how the manifold isn't modular though.

What I'm thinking is installing a manifold that looks like this.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...wL._SS500_.jpg

Which would then be connected to an aftermarket exhaust system (including a catalytic converter.)

It might seem excessive to replace the entire exhaust system, although it could be worth it. The cost of that manifold/cat combo thing is $374.95 (without tax but with shipping) which is most of the cost for an entire exhaust system, catalytic converter included. There is some rust on the piping on the undercarriage so it's only a matter of time before that goes too.

[Elesirdur]

Stock exhaust manifolds tend to be very restrictive unless you're buying a sports car. For the minimal increase in cost you'll get a manifold that will increase power and probably the fuel economy of your vehicle. The only drawback is that cold start efficiency will go down, due to the lower backpressure in the more free-flowing exhaust system, which in turn will vent more hot exhaust gases out of the engine bay and slow down warm-up a little bit. Emissions under cold start will go up a bit as it will take longer for the cat to warm up; since the cat will be further down the exhaust system, and a cold catalytic converter doesn't work as well as a hot one.

So if you're really worried about your emissions don't go driving around at WOT until the engine's warmed up. But that's a dumb thing to do anyway if you value the life of your engine.

If you keep a near stock muffler, or one of those "95db or less" mufflers many aftermarket manufacturers sell for CARB compliance, you shouldn't end up with that awful buzzy ricer exhaust note. 4-into-1 headers tend to get you a nice, strong sound from you exhaust.

[Cadsuane]

Headers on a gasoline 4-cylinde-... ugh, god, nevermind.

[Elesirdur]

Yeah I know, the plural term is dumb when you think about it but it's so commonplace.

Unless you think placing a more free-flowing exhaust manifold on a 4 cylinder engine is a waste of money? Would it be better spent on a diesel, or some good old redneck F-body engines?

[Cadsuane]

Uh yes, or namely anything that can actually generate the manifold pressure to justify headers.

[Elesirdur]

Do you see how the stock ones are designed? They are about as free flowing as an asthmatics lungs. Besides, new aftermarket parts are probably less expensive than new parts direct from Honda. So why not do something a little interesting?

If you're into American iron or pickup trucks, cool. No reason to make snide comments in someone else's thread when the OP is just trying to replace a part, not turn into some ricer.

[Cadsuane]

I'm not into muscle cars or big diesel rigs either. I mean, if the part's cheaper then yeah, go for it. Otherwise it just seems stupid to me on so many levels. Performance wise there's just nothing to justify a header package on a four cylinder, you may as well put a triple turbo on a 4 speed automatic. After you've put in an aftermarket resonator and muffler to make the exhaust assembly even work properly you've still got the problem that you're driving a goddamn gasoline four cylinder that just doesn't push out that much air, and never will even if you remachine the head, rebore the cylinders, and on and on and on. Same deal with custom air filters, same deal with performance brake discs, same deal with most aftermarket trinkets. At any rate I think we're on the same page really, so no need to get on the defensive. If I had to make any normative statement about cars I'd say big cars are pretentious; there's nothing wrong with 4 cylinders or japanese cars (I think they're great in fact), they're just not worth modifying.