4 Branch Manifold Fouling Subframe

[stutto 0]

As per title , I've fitted a magnex exhaust manifold today and the amount of clearance to the subframe brace is tiny, not even enough to get a shell drivers club card through the gap.

 

I've fitted group N upper and lower mounts, and new (standard) exhaust gaskets from GSF. Apart from the diesel battery & starter plus an induction kit everything else in the engine bay is standard.

 

Anyone else had this? (Search revealed nothing)

 

I am curious as to why the subframe brace is straight here, or not offset downwards slightly more. Could they not have put a slight deflection in it without sacrificing too much rigidity?

 

If I run like this will I risk ripping the studs out of the head?

[Vili 18]

As per title , I've fitted a magnex exhaust manifold today and the amount of clearance to the subframe brace is tiny, not even enough to get a shell drivers club card through the gap.

 

I've fitted group N upper and lower mounts, and new (standard) exhaust gaskets from GSF. Apart from the diesel battery & starter plus an induction kit everything else in the engine bay is standard.

 

Anyone else had this? (Search revealed nothing)

 

I am curious as to why the subframe brace is straight here, or not offset downwards slightly more. Could they not have put a slight deflection in it without sacrificing too much rigidity?

 

If I run like this will I risk ripping the studs out of the head?

 

From the experience with my own 4 branch I'd say biggest problem will be the nasty sound it makes. Vibrations transfer through the subframe straight inside the cabin. Evidently my manifold cracked a weld. This ofcourse wasn't big surprise as a made it myself

What I did to fix the problem was that I cut the subframe brace off and welded flanges to both ends and bolted it to different place in the subframe. Bolting it under the subframe gives little more play as brace sits lower that way.

Edited October 15, 2009 by Vili

[tony perks 1]

I have had 3 maybe 4 cars with magnex manifolds now and never had a fitting problem luck maybe?

[welshpug 1,661]

I've removed one that had been rubbing on the PAS heatshield but had no signs of touching the subframe, A friend had one on a 1.6 rally car with a massive sump guard that extends back past that brace and has no issues.

[gazmk2 0]

Mine has a magnex 4-1 manifold fitted (not by me) and it only seems to knock something when I back off in fifth.

[stutto 0]

Thanks for the replies. I think that I have to take it off for now - the vibration between 1500 and 2500 revs is something else. The dash and doors are rattling as is the map light. Idle is OK but everytime I pull away it feels horrible - maybe I have too much mechanical sympathy!

Edited October 16, 2009 by stutto

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

After fitting one today I found that the subframe brace (If you can call it that) was bent, A quick bend down sorted it all out

[taylorspug 7]

Is this the one you bought from me stutto? If so it fitted the car it was on previously with no problems (it was a standard 1600 8v), so there must be something slightly out somewhere.

[stutto 0]

Would that mean that my engine sits wierdly?

 

Given that the mounts line up OK, I don't know what to think. I know my hatch is not the original as it is red underneath the sorrento - maybe it has had a bump at some point?

[taylorspug 7]

I dont know tbh, my money would be on that subframe bar needing some adjustment, i dont think it does much to strengthen the subframe anyway, so it may be worth getting a lever bar in there to move it down a bit.

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

As above, the brace doesn;t do much as it's in the wrong place and has flat ends, just bend it down as there should be a good cap there

[stutto 0]

Thanks for the motivation fellas.

 

I got the pry bar in there but the brace was only flexing and then returning.

 

What I did instead was drill 8mm holes through the brace flats and the subframe and then grind away the welds. I rotated the bar 180 degrees along its length and then bolted it up, with an extra washer between the brace and subframe for good measure.

 

Much less vibration in the car now although I am definitely aware that I have group n mounts!