LCB exhaust manifolds

[ratrodmog]

Hi guys
Can anyone advise as to the best manufacturer of these? I'm looking at the Maniflow one and this seems to be the most expensive. Am I right in thinking that Falcon used to do a stainless one but had quite a few problems with cracking? Is there anyone else? Or even better has anyone got one lying around Bearing in mind this is for a standard 1098 engine but I have a HS4 carb and alloy manifold already to fit.
Cheers

[bmcecosse]

Maniflow certainly have a good reputation in the Mini world. LCB is not the first priority on an otherwise standard 1098. After the carb/alloy inlet you should be looking for a better head, then the LCB/exhaust system. But it will certainly help - just don't expect miracles!

[Robins]

I have a full maniflow system on my traveller, bought that when the car was on the road first time round (before resto when squeezing more power out was high on the list), but very expensive to buy. The quality of Maniflow is very good in the form of build and finish, but I do wonder if it would last long on an everyday car used a lot. The metal just has that look about it, with no rust protection, just a bit of green paint on the box's. Of course if it's just the manifold your getting then ok. But I'd still build the lot myself now I think.
Of course what BMC said about getting more power gain from a head is probably right, but you will need a seperate exhaust manifold to fit the alloy inlet anyway, and you get more visual satisfaction aswell, so i'd do the manifold first.

[Longdog]

Hi I have a Manflow twin box straight through system with an LCB manifold by them.They are mild steel so you need to give them a good coat of the appropriate paint.They are an excellent product and because they are mild steel they give a little without cracking.I would recommend them.

[ratrodmog]

Cheers for the responses guys. It does sound as though Maniflow is the way to go. One question though, why is it that the LCB manifolds for the Mini are so much cheaper? Most of them seem to be under £100 whereas the moggy one works out around the £120 mark.

[bmcecosse]

Many more Minis around - so I suppose they make more of them. Also - the Mini market is v competitive, with lots of other suppliers, so the price has to be more competitive to get the business.

[IslipMinor]

I have what I believe is a Maniflow LCB - fitted nearly 11 years ago and was secondhand at the time! It's mild steel, and other than a coat of HT paint nearly 11 years ago (now long gone), it has had no other protection.

Up until a few weeks ago, I could have said no problems either, but then the centre pipe fractured where it meets the 2-into-1 junction. Still plenty of material thickness, so have welded it back together and all seems fine so far.

The Minor manifold is produced in lower volume than the Mini? May justify the price increase?

[LouiseM]

Redratmog - Callyspoy has got a Maniflow LCB manifold for sale :

http://www.mmoc.org.uk/index.php?name=P ... start=1920

[Mogwai]

I'm using the full maniflow system its about 8 years old now, rusty but still OK although I have had to repair a small section over axle which was getting thin & perforated when I had to remove the exhaust for some suspension work

[ratrodmog]

Thanks LouiseM but at the moment I'm just trying to gather some info on the best type as my car is in no fit state for a manifold just yet I see that ESM are doing one again but assume this is the same as the one from Birmingham Morris Minor Center, by Falcon? Anyone have this? Cheers all.<br><br>

[PSL184]

I have the one from BMMC but its only 200 miles old so a bit early to say if its reliable in the log run. Quality wise it is very good and it fits OK except that I had to bend it downwards slightly to get the rest of the system to clear the chassis crossmenber......

[Robins]

Do remember if you have a stainless manifold, you will need a stainless system to go with it. Stainless when attached to mild steel acts like a magnet for rust and the mild steel will rot much quicker.
You will get a nicer sound from mild steel, but stainless is for life.
I like the orange, will you do the whole car that colour?

[ratrodmog]

The engine bay and inner arches are all going to be orange and black checkered and the body in satin black finished with polished slot mags. There doesn't seem to be a huge amount of difference in price between the Maniflow mild steel and the BMMC stainless manifold so I guess its just personal preference. What about the difference in heat build up between the mild steel and stainless?

[Robins]

Stainless is worth a lot more, so if they are both about the same price as finished manifolds, then doesn't that tell you something about the quailty of the BMMC one?

Stainless does hold the heat more so will be hotter, could use exhaust wrap if your conserned but the moggie engine bay is quite well ventilated.

The paint job sounds great . I look forward to seeing your car at some local shows this summer then.