'Best' exhaust manifold solution

Matt Scarbro

Matt Scarbro

Hi Gents,

I'm new to the forum and Clios having bought my 200 recently. Unfortunately it seems the previous owner bodged a blowing manifold flexi which has now revealed itself.

So I'm looking to you for the best long term solution...

I've seen that people have had some success with the Toyo Sport manifold but don't want to play chase the knock!

The K-Tec manifold seems an option, is this seen as an improvement in terms of durability over the Renault part?

I should point out that I'm not chasing power as I'm fortunate enough to own other cars that are fast. This one is great fun without going too fast!

Or is there a well recommended company that repair the original and have been proven to last years?

It would be really helpful to know how much people have paid to have the manifold replaced too so I know how much to expect to pay.

Huge thanks for any help, I will introroduce myself and my car in the relevant section! :smile:
 
Your best bet is Toyo manifold and, providing you don't mind the extra vibrations, poweflex engine mounts.
Specifically the upper torque arm bush and lower engine mount inserts.

With the engine locked in place with these uprated mounts you shouldn't experience any knocks from the Toyo.

Any more questions please ask away! :thumb:

EDIT: In my honest opinion, it's not worth repairing due to the amount of labour involved to drop the subframe to get to the manifold, you may as well replace it.
 
Thing is - even if you put an aftermarket manifold on (Toyo or otherwise) and dont uprate the mounts.....

The whole reason the engine moves "excessively" and damages the original flexi's is likely to happen again.

Toyo user here. Subframe notched, uprated engine mounts in = never had a single issue. Let alone knocking.
 
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Think it's a general consensus the ktec item is better made and quality - but it's also 3 times the price.

The toyo is a decent item and with the right tweaks works well for lots of people.
 
Thanks for the swift replies Gents, sounds like the TS manifold deserves some more consideration then..

Ideally I don't want to increase NVH if it can be avoided, is there a combination of Renault and aftermarket bushes that can be used good effect?

Any recommendations for garages familiar with our cars in the Cheshire/Manchester area?
 
Matt Scarbro said:
Thanks for the swift replies Gents, sounds like the TS manifold deserves some more consideration then..

Ideally I don't want to increase NVH if it can be avoided, is there a combination of Renault and aftermarket bushes that can be used good effect?

Any recommendations for garages familiar with our cars in the Cheshire/Manchester area?
Click to expand...

Sorry not sure what you mean by NVH?

The powerflex upper torque arm bush is probably the best one to change which has the biggest benefit/least amount of vibrations, you only really notice the vibrations on idle and they do settle after a couple of hundred miles. Plus it makes the car drive so much better, there's no rock from the engine so accelerating feels more solid, even if you weren't changing to a Toyo I'd highly recommend fitting one.

Yay another member from Manchester, there's a few of us on here's now :smiley: where abouts are you? I'm in Stockport myself, if you ever need help with anything I've got quite a few tools and I've done quite a bit to my car now more than welcome to pop round :thumb:

As for garage to fit the manifold, I don't personally know any around here but you want a job that big done by a specialist as you want it done right. I drove over to Renotech in Llandudno when I had my manifold swapped and Cambelt service and they were ace and very reasonable price, I'd highly recommend them :smile:
 
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NVH = noise vibration harshness.

I have a TS manifold, but I'm replacing it with the original manifold that's had some 'improvements'.
 
Dystant said:
Sorry not sure what you mean by NVH?

The powerflex upper torque arm bush is probably the best one to change which has the biggest benefit/least amount of vibrations, you only really notice the vibrations on idle and they do settle after a couple of hundred miles. Plus it makes the car drive so much better, there's no rock from the engine so accelerating feels more solid, even if you weren't changing to a Toyo I'd highly recommend fitting one.

Yay another member from Manchester, there's a few of us on here's now :smiley: where abouts are you? I'm in Stockport myself, if you ever need help with anything I've got quite a few tools and I've done quite a bit to my car now more than welcome to pop round :thumb:

As for garage to fit the manifold, I don't personally know any around here but you want a job that big done by a specialist as you want it done right. I drove over to Renotech in Llandudno when I had my manifold swapped and Cambelt service and they were ace and very reasonable price, I'd highly recommend them :smile:
Click to expand...

I'm in Crewe so not far, a very generous offer of assistance is much appreciated!

My car already has a Powerflex upper torque arm bush so that should help and so I probably already have a little more vibration than standard.

Do you mind sharing how much the work at Renotech cost? I'm not averse to travelling a little to a specialist. I've learnt with my other cars that model-specific knowledge goes a long way.
 
Dystant said:
Hmmm, my guess is you've welded new flexis on made of diamond so they won't break? :tearsofjoy:
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The flexis will be replaced mate and then additional strengthening added. I'll run with solid mounts to reduce the engine movement as well if needs be. Still got to let my mate have a proper look so we can do some brainstorming on it. It was a pissed up night out convo we had when I got another original manifold.
The cup racers never had a failure with the flexis, and they have the pre cat removed as well. It'll be a weight vs engine movement causing the problem.
sevenfourate said:
You've sold up and bought an Audi ?
Click to expand...
lol! I'd rather have a wank with sandpaper than own an Audi mate.
 
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Northloopcup said:
The flexis will be replaced mate and then additional strengthening added. I'll run with solid mounts to reduce the engine movement as well if needs be. Still got to let my mate have a proper look so we can do some brainstorming on it. It was a pissed up night out convo we had when I got another original manifold.
The cup racers never had a failure with the flexis, and they have the pre cat removed as well. It'll be a weight vs engine movement causing the problem.


lol! I'd rather have a wank with sandpaper than own an Audi mate.
Click to expand...

Wholly agree on the first bit. Its why 'just' fitting another manifold is nothing but a band-aid in my eyes and another relatively short-term solution. Need to replace flexi's / manifold (And improve on that design if your able sure.....) AND stop the movement to reduce long term stress on the new flexi.

Looking forward to seeing your solution.

***What grit ? :smile:
 
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Matt Scarbro said:
I'm in Crewe so not far, a very generous offer of assistance is much appreciated!

My car already has a Powerflex upper torque arm bush so that should help and so I probably already have a little more vibration than standard.

Do you mind sharing how much the work at Renotech cost? I'm not averse to travelling a little to a specialist. I've learnt with my other cars that model-specific knowledge goes a long way.
Click to expand...

Well if you get the lower engine mount inserts fitted as well you should be fine for any knocking, but as Sevenfourate said if you're that concerned you can take a notch out of the subframe.

No mate don't mind you asking at all, I got a lot of work done at once but according to my invoice the manifold was 4 hours labour totalling £242.40.

The best part was though they also fitted my Miltek for me but didn't charge me for it and did it as part of replacing the manifold.
 
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Dystant said:
Well if you get the lower engine mount inserts fitted as well you should be fine for any knocking, but as Sevenfourate said if you're that concerned you can take a notch out of the subframe.

No mate don't mind you asking at all, I got a lot of work done at once but according to my invoice the manifold was 4 hours labour totalling £242.40.

The best part was though they also fitted my Miltek for me but didn't charge me for it and did it as part of replacing the manifold.
Click to expand...

If all that fails (Cant see how it can as i have 1"+ of clearance between manifold and subframe) you can also tilt the engine slightly on the mounts to gain even more space.

With all due respect - its only those who've blindly fitted Toyo's with no research who've had problems.

***Perhaps you shouldn't need to research a supposed 'replacement' part. But lifes never that easy is it :smile:

GOOD LUCK Matt !!!
 
Just for the record - I'm only getting rid of the TS manifold because I'm fitting an akra evo and cba with extra noise or eml lights!!
 
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