A couple of years back, I bought a used set of Stainless Marine exhaust manifolds and risers.
First I ran them on my 7.4MPI and now they're are bolted to my 502MagMPI. I am happy with the performance vs. the old cast iron stuff.
Recently one sprung a water leak to the outside. I patched it, but I do need to replace them before they leak to the inside...
What to buy?
Do I buy another set of Stainless Marine manifolds for $1200? the risers are stainless and are still good...
Or
Do I buy a set of those E-Top Light headers that Trick is selling for $1600?
Will I see a performance increase with the CMI's over the Stainless Marine manifolds?
If I do go with the CMIs, do I have to remap the ECU and, or, up the fuel pressure?

If someone has a good used set of Stainless Marine manifolds for under $600, it will make my decision easy...

Hey Pat,

I thought you were saving your $$ for a Y2K?

CMIs sure look cool. I don't know what the perf. difference is between the two.

I'm thinking about the CMIs for the 496. I'm waiting to hear some concrete results first.

Dave

You will not get any gains so don't waste your money on eye candy!!! Replace the ones you have, close the hatch and hammer down!!!

Hey Dave,
My wife says no bigger boat until I build an addition on the house...

You are probably right PE...
I'm not sure I'm going to get across to your side again this year, how about the chances of you coming up the CT river?

So who's got the best deal on Stainless Marine manifolds?
Thanks,

Call stainless marine direct, explain the problem and I'm sure they will give you a good deal on new ones. I had a problem w/ a pair and was pricing new ones, when I called them and being an existing cust. they gave me a great deal. Iwas told they stand behind there products. Mine were about 5 years old. I would be calling them.

If you get new manifolds, they should come w/a 5yr warranty.
Thats gotta be worth something.
Also, CMIs may be louder than SS manifolds.

Results are in on the 496 CMIs, 482hp with no other mods. Sounds good. See latest Powerboat Mag

It seems tht Stainless Marine manifolds usually outlast the owner. To "spring" a leak seems odd. Maybe they're extremely old and have been in several boats or circumstances. If they're thinning to the point of breaking through the walls they must have been in salt for a long time without thorough flushing. If mine were getting to that point I would get new ones immediately. Tube headers will have less life usually but CMI's are great. Personally I use Stainless Marine.

I agree.....

CMI all the way, life's short buy the eye candy.