Just bought an 09 RA, knew it had an exhaust leak (you could hear it) but it didn't worry me much. I drove it around the past month and decided to finger out where the leak was coming from.
Pulled the heat shield and the manifold is cracked. All the way around. Apparently this is a problem with these cars.
Local dealer wants $680 for it, found several sites online selling them for $480. Even at $500 (after shipping), that's some serious coin! I'm hoping anyone knows of an aftermarket brand (I haven't been able to find one), or if anyone has one lying around that they'd be willing to part with.
Also, if I buy a new one, is there anything I can do to prevent it from happening again? I heard you can ceramic coat it, anyone have experience with that?
My advice is to let the car warm up a little before driving it(even in summer). That's what I've always done, and I have a 09 Ralliart with no manifold cracking problems. Is that the reason why I haven't had any problems, or are the two issues not at all related? I honestly don't know for sure the answer to that question, but that's my method I've been using and I'm sticking to it.....
Thanks for your input, yes I looked around and it seems like everyone either got a replacement from someone on a forum or bought a new one. I was hoping to get one used off someone who did an EVO swap, or another turbo manifold swap.
Considered doing the EVO swap, but being that this is my daily driver, and that it's in CA where the smog laws are draconian (BTW, I heard they're doing SMOG CHECKPOINTS now.... wtf), I'd rather keep it stock. I know once I do a mod like that I'll get carried away.... Which is why I can no longer drive my Tundra.
Couldn't find anything on the ceramic coating though. But slee, you're right about warming it up. I always do that with my vehicles, even though it doesn't get colder than 40° or so here, I always give it a minute to warm up. But who knows how the last 110k miles have been on the car. I knew it needed some work, it's why I got a good deal on it. Even if I have to buy a new manifold it was still a good deal at $8500.
It seems fairly common on both the RA and EVO X cars.
I just upgraded to the EVO X turbo kit because it was overall cheaper than replacing with another stock one. Looks, sounds and smells stock. You can run the stock exhaust on it.
I did not want to crack another stock RA one so I upgrade with someones very fresh stock EVO X one. They upgraded their turbo at 5k miles.
Your are the 5th case that I have seen on the forums that had a crack at the same exact spot.
I was considering doing the EVO X turbo swap, but from what I gather it would cost me around $1000 depending on how much I get the turbo for. On the other hand, a new manifold runs $500. As much as I'd like to upgrade, I didn't want to spend double on it. Maybe I can get the EVO X setup for cheaper than that?
It also worries me that I'll have trouble passing smog here in CA. As you know, CA is the WORST when it comes to smog laws.
Currently going through the exact same issue. One this to keep in mind are labour fees (unless replacing yourself). Here in Canada I've been quoted at $450 for labour alone. so If I DON'T find some used mani, a X swap really might be in the realm of possibility. That said, the swap would also require a tune which is another $3-500.
eh-jhey - I am doing the replacement myself, so glad I'm saving myself $450!
For the tune, I've seen the tuning module for $150. All the maps for stock, EVO X swap, different boost pills, etc., are available on this site. So, you could do the tune yourself for $150.
A new manifold is the same cost as what you can find a low mileage stock evo x turbo kit for.
Adding new oil lines, gasket and plugs will be additional. Labor is the same cost. Tune is the another additional cost.
CA Smog is no different than a stock RA then upgraded evo x turbo RA. It'll probably be better because you'll be tuned.
It was a big deal to me because I performed the labor myself. Since I was doing the labor myself I rather do the upgrade than fixing it. It was a tough install for first timers.
It's your budget. Replace stock manifold - 1000 incl. labor
or upgrade the evo x turbo 1450 incl. labor/tune.
This is a common issue with the factory Evo X and RA manifolds. I recommend grabbing a tubular manifold and Evo X turbocharger instead of putting on another RA manifold that's prone to crack. This issue has plagued Mitsubishi since the early 1G/2G eclipses.
This is a common issue with the factory Evo X and RA manifolds. I recommend grabbing a tubular manifold and Evo X turbocharger instead of putting on another RA manifold that's prone to crack. This issue has plagued Mitsubishi since the early 1G/2G eclipses.
Thanks,
Michael
Where would you go about getting this "tubular manifold" that you mentioned in your reply?
Since Cbrd dropped the Rad line of turbos and the replacement manifold i was trying to get them to build after i bought and sent them an oem manifold to build a jig for said manifold
I've been taking to another vendor that is picking up the torch on this part presently drawing up the flanges
This has kind of been a pet project of mine cause why shouldn't we have a better replacement manifold with upgraded ralliart frame turbos on the market and the oem one being prone to craking and reduculously expensive
Since Cbrd dropped the Rad line of turbos and the replacement manifold i was trying to get them to build after i bought and sent them an oem manifold to build a jig for said manifold
I've been taking to another vendor that is picking up the torch on this part presently drawing up the flanges
This has kind of been a pet project of mine cause why shouldn't we have a better replacement manifold with upgraded ralliart frame turbos on the market and the oem one being prone to craking and reduculously expensive
Very cool, and good news for many of us. Be sure to start a new thread and keep us updated once the ball gets rolling!
Technically speaking if you need to remain stock, you can have a shop reinforce the manifold when you find another one. It just depends on how much money you are willing to spend. I'd say go with an Evo X swap if you can. That's what I plan on doing.
Thanks for all the input. After contemplating the EVO X swap vs. an OEM manifold, I decided to just replace the manifold. This was mainly after a good discussion with Mike at Road Race Engineering who thought that with close to 120k on my RA, the SST would shortly need a rebuild due to the bump in power. He said to be saving as it is... apparently this is about the time they decide to crap out.
So, I bought a manifold off Mitsubishi Parts Warehouse for $468. With shipping it was $534 out the door. I'm installing it myself so there's no labor charge there.
Thanks for all the input. I'm going to follow Slee's advice and just let her warm up and cool off for a bit. Hopefully that'll prevent cracking of the new one. My toy vehicle is an 06 Tundra 4x4 that is fairly well built up. The RA is my DD, and I don't need another money pit!
