Can anyone tell me about the old GIL sbc aluminum exhaust manifolds with stainless risers? Were they a decent design? I have a chance to pick up a new in the box set from a local guy. The risers are not a long tube design but appear to be a direct stock replacement.

Here's what the risers look like...

Gains will be very minimal if at all on a SBC.

I agree with Griff. Been there done that.

Nope. About 80lb's lighter though...all said and done.

What did they do to that poor riser ?

BTW: What are you attaching these too (ie: what motor), maybe we can help.

mine worked good but were dry to the tip

If you have the old log exhaust then I would switch to the Gils simply because of the age of yours.
If you had the Merc cast iron center rise exhaust, then I would leave them.
I still doubt you will gain anything performance wise.

These will be replacing the aging old stock log manifolds, that's the main reason for the swap. These GIL's will cost me less than a new Merc cast iron center rise setup. The engine was built from a Quicksilver reman long block for the previous owner. Quicksilver part#: 87971R5 Bore is listed as - 040 on the tag so I think that's a 358? Its all stock except for the Edelbrock Performer EPS intake (Part # 2701) and the Edelbrock Marine Series 600 cfm, Square-Flange, Electric Choke Carburetor, non-EGR (Part # 1409). I just have been enjoying it as is for the last few years since I picked it up.

FYI: The new wet joint Mercruiser center rise exhaust kit can be had for near/under $700, but they are cast wrong and can/probably will leak. The new replacement from merc won;t be out for a month. Hopefully those are cast right.