WTB - Cast Iron Exhaust Header for 944

[dustinhu]

Guys, I've got a cracked exhaust header / manifold on my '83 944. I hear the later model OEM headers are cast iron and not steel. If you have one in good shape and no leaks, let me know. I plan to use this in 944Spec NASA class, so it needs to be OEM.

Thanks,
Dustin

[16vCorey]

Actually the early cars have the cast iron, the later cars have the tubular steel manifolds. I've got a pair of cast manifolds. I'd trade them for some of the tubular manifolds, even if they're cracked, but only if they're cracked at the welds.

[kens_74_911s]

+1 16vCorey is right Cast are early I have a set of 85.5 Steel ones no cracks $30 + fedex at cost.
Ken in NC

[dustinhu]

Ok thanks. I guess I got those backwards. Which are more prone to crack? I want something durable. Kens, sounds like a deal as long as these are the strong ones.
Thanks!
Dustin

[kens_74_911s]

The steel ones I beleive are actually Stainless steel and lighter than the cast ones. That being said check your SPEC rules the last guy wanting to run one was told told he could not in his class.

[dustinhu]

Ok. I have a post on 944spec forum waiting for an answer. Will let you know. If I do have cast iron and cast don't crack then maybe I have some a leak somewhere else. I can hear it (loud) and I know what cylinder it is coming from. Stay tuned

[dustinhu]

16vCorey, can I tell what type they are just by looking at them or maybe taking them off and weighing them?

Thanks

[16vCorey]

I've never seen the cast manifolds crack, but that doesn't mean it's impossible. You can tell by looking at them. Here's a few pics I found online:

Here's the cast manifolds:


Here's the tubular steel manifolds:




Sometimes they have a heat shield on them, so it might be a little harder to tell if yours does.

[16vCorey]

Oh, and I just found this pic, so apparently the cast manifolds CAN crack!

[kens_74_911s]

I don't see where you would be restricted in running them. Section two covers updating and back dating as long as its a stock part for 83-88 944 924s.

[plyhammer]

The early ones are more solid and less prone to cracking.
The later ones crack at the welds.
The early ones are HEAVY
The late ones are lighter.

[kens_74_911s]

Originally Posted by plyhammer

The later ones crack at the welds.

+1
But they can be welded VS Cast that is a challenge.

[MES 944]

Originally Posted by dustinhu

Guys, I've got a cracked exhaust header / manifold on my '83 944. I hear the later model OEM headers are cast iron and not steel. If you have one in good shape and no leaks, let me know. I plan to use this in 944Spec NASA class, so it needs to be OEM.

Thanks,
Dustin

PM Sent.

[dustinhu]

Ken74, thanks for posting that in. I missed seeing section 2.2 so my concern was specifically around the dates not matching the year of the car, but looks like that isn't going to be an issue.
I need to pull it this weekend and verify it is cracked. Based on the photos above, I am pretty sure mine are cast iron however. Maybe I just have a bad gasket or something.

[kens_74_911s]

Having someting that can be welded is a big + weight is not a factor of that component. The overall car weight is the dial in . If you do it right you would be adding ballast on the floor anyway to be perfect. So it is not a matter of weighing motor parts, unless they are the recriprocating ones they don't want you to F$#K with. So don't spin the manifold, it needs to just hang there for the ride and keep shiny side up.

[Triple_T]

Finally,
Here is a pic of what I have... Let me know

[16vCorey]

Originally Posted by Triple_T

Finally,
Here is a pic of what I have... Let me know

Haha! Did I steal your pic in my post? I found it doing a google image search, but it looks like it was taken on the same deck!

[Triple_T]

Originally Posted by 16vCorey

Haha! Did I steal your pic in my post? I found it doing a google image search, but it looks like it was taken on the same deck!

Nice try! If you look at the top of my pic you will see chunks of snow! Also the other deck has a repair and is natural color wood. My deck is grey... and no repairs. Plans are to rebuild it this summer.

[dustinhu]

Guys, thanks for all the help. Looks like my cast iron headers are fine, the gasket was totaled so that was the problem. They are rusty in color however. Is there a method to take them back to metal finish or will they just rust up again quickly. According to 944Spec I can't paint them.

thanks.

[Timmay!]

Dustin,
Saw this post late.
There's 3 generations of stock headers.
1. Cast iron (early) 20 lbs per set.
2. Stainless steel tubular, with gusset on the 1-4 pipe crotch. 85.5-86
3. stainless steel tubular, double jacket welded. 87-88

Both the stainless sets weigh the same at 7 lbs. The first stainless headers are weak and will fail repeatedly under the gusset at the 1-4 pipe crotch. Throw them away.
Weight absolutely DOES matter because the 13 lbs you save in a 944 Spec car can be added to the passenger floor in lead ballast.
Also, get an early starter. It's about 5 lbs heavier than the late starter, but it's mounted at the very bottom-center of the car..........