17 replies to this topic

[blackoctagon]

After looking at fabricating my own 4-2-1 exhaust I decided to buy an off the shelf unit.
Following the chronology it would appear that this Manzo brand one is a 'homage' to the Weapon-R exhaust.

Most importantly for me the trickiest fabrication was done - the manifold itself (4-2 part)- and I can handle the downpipe (2-1 part) and the cat etc. myself.


The following photos are mostly without commentary, but i'll answer questions if there are any.

[blackoctagon]

This part is of no use to a VX220 fitment, but may be good for Astras or Vectra - someone can check that because I can't.






Std. vs. 4-2-1:



This is the full kit for the benefit of non-VX220 z22se users -







Flange detail (head to manifold)-






Flange detail (manifold to downpipe)-

Edited by blackoctagon, 10 October 2020 - 09:15 PM.

[blackoctagon]

Straightness of flanges from factory. I've seen and done better, but in reality the gasket will being it together. If I hate it before fitment i'll mill it.





Some internal pipe shots:












All in all worth the money to use as a base, but you get what you pay for.

Edited by blackoctagon, 10 October 2020 - 09:16 PM.

[FLD]

Interesting design.  I had a crack at making a manifold many years ago.  not welded for 10+ years and it was a proper abortion of a job!  Needed a bit more practice before I started!  I suspect this one would foul the clam as it looks to project from the engine a fair way but I like the 4-2-1 design of it.  The collectors look a bit gash but as you say it could be price driven.  Switch these out for a hydroformed collector and it'd be far better.  Inside pics look on par with what I made

[blackoctagon]

If I was starting from scratch it's not what I would have done, but as a balance of cost (the whole thing was only £184, imported from the US) and function, and being me prepared to modify it I am happy to play with it.

My constraints are that I don't want to change my backbox and need a cat, so I only need to deal with the in-between bits.

The collectors can be accessed by my long die grinder and I have a factory full of qualified welders who are more interested in having a look at it than doing their actual work.
Now that I have the ability to edit the ECU maps i'm sure I can squeeze something out of it.

[oakmere]

My Tusudo version was better than that at the collector but like you say a die grinder will help.
You need to cut into the boot to fit this 👍.

My car produced good torque with this manifold compared to similar spec cars with a 4-1 manifold.

[blackoctagon]

Sorry, I forgot - The manifold was Weapon R, THEN Tsudo, and now Manzo.

I have a new engine coming, so I am waiting until that arrives to help me mock up where the cut out needs to be.

[OneYet]

Many years ago some swedish people did the Weapon R thing.

I found the thread but most of the pictures are gone.

On page 11 there is still a picture of the cut-out and the heatshielding he made up.

Oh, it is all in swedish.

http://www.vx220.org...e-11?hl=weapon

[blackoctagon]

Thank you.
I've mined the available pictures from the thread. That will help a lot.

[thomas2761]

https://forum.opel-s...pic=32662&st=15

[thomas2761]

https://forum.opel-s...ic=12761&st=120

[thomas2761]

https://forum.opel-s...pic=12761&st=60

 

 

Kind regards

Thomas

[blackoctagon]

Thomas,
Danke für die weblinks. Ich werde ein konto erstellen, um auf das forum zugreifen.


Here are new fitment photos done on a new engine i received so that people can see the manifold without a car around it. (click for bigger)

[Rufatiwe]

If I was starting from scratch it's not what I would have done, but as a balance of cost (the whole thing was only £184, imported from the US) and function, and being me prepared to modify it I am happy to play with it.

My constraints are that I don't want to change my backbox and need a cat, so I only need to deal with the in-between bits.

The collectors can be accessed by my long die grinder and I have a factory full of qualified welders who are more interested in having a look at it than doing their actual work.
Now that I have the ability to edit the ECU maps i'm sure I can squeeze something out of it.

Apprently the same thing that cost 184 gbp in 2020 is now listed for 999$

 

https://www.ebay.com...:Bk9SR-y8o6b-Yw

[hairy]

That's quite some inflation!

 

[blackoctagon]

I'm rich!

[stevieturbo]

Looks like horrendous Chinese rubbish to be fair.

[blackoctagon]

I wouldn't go quite as far as that, but mine was certainly not up to the photos i've seen of the original version.

It's been re-worked and re-welded since, but I was comfortable enough that it was a base to save me money on going for a full fabrication and i'll stand by that decision. But I also recognise not everyone gets as hands-on as I will.

All things considered i'd still happily put it on my car in an un-worked state and it will still be significantly better than the very unequal length cast 4-1.

But at 995USD i'd be going the full fabrication route now and doing a number of things differently.

Edited by blackoctagon, 16 June 2024 - 08:14 PM.