[crj101]

What are the long term problems an exhaust manifold leak can cause?

 

[richp]

Burned valves, melted wiring, incorrect fuel mixtures because of incorrect O2 sensor readings, asphyxiation from exhaust fumes getting into the interior....just off the top of my head...

 

[crj101]

Do you have any idea how much trouble it is to change out? I think jeep have a prob. with this. But is it the manifold or just the gasket? I've looked at it and it doesn't look to bad as long as the bolts turn loose and none of them break off.

 

[Mike001]

Loss of memory, asphixiation and ultimately death. It'll be easy to change though look at how much room there is to work.

 

[MOz]

The exhaust manifold gasket is pretty straight forward to do but you need to take your time. Before you even think of backing off the exhaust bolts, soak them (repeatedly) with CRC. I like to spray them, wait 20 minutes, spray them again, and repeat for a third time. I like to crack them in a clockwise (tightening) direction, soak them one more time and then back them off.

When you start to get too many headaches, become confused and your lips blow up then it's probably time to go to the nearest hyperbaric chamber for CO treatment. Don't let it go too long.. Your health is much more important that a $5.00 gasket and a couple of hours work.

Good luck.

 

[Buster]

Everyone is right, don't wait too long to fix it. But I see in your sig that you have a 97 4.0. Chances are that you have a cracked exhaust manifold, and need to swap in a new one. The 97-99's were infamous for that problem. (already replaced mine)

 

[stainless]

Perfect time to put a header on it.

But I see in your sig that you have a 97 4.0. Chances are that you have a cracked exhaust manifold, and need to swap in a new one. The 97-99's were infamous for that problem. (already replaced mine)

Buster, I was just about to say the same thing. I had to replace the manifold on my old 99 Sport and on the 98 Sport I've got now.

 

[1BLKJP]

Perfect time to put a header on it.

So did you replace yours with an actual aftermarket header? Just curious if you did do you still think the benefit was worth the cost?

 

[stainless]

On the 99, I went back with the redesigned (2000+) OE manifold.
On the 98, I did put a header on it. It was alot cheaper than the OE part.
I wish I could say I felt a noticable hp gain, but I can't. If I did gain anything, it isn't enough to register on the old butt dyno.

I bet if I had it chromed before I installed it I would have gained some serious hp.

 

[1BLKJP]

It's actually good to hear you say that. When I replaced the manifold on my 99 I just went with the factory redesign off of Ebay for like 85 bucks. It's worked well for me and I just couldn't justify enough of a performance gain IMO to put on a 300-500 header instead.

But you are right. If you would've chromed it you would've gotten like 80 extra HP.

On the 99, I went back with the redesigned (2000+) OE manifold.
On the 98, I did put a header on it. It was alot cheaper than the OE part.
I wish I could say I felt a noticable hp gain, but I can't. If I did gain anything, it isn't enough to register on the old butt dyno.

I bet if I had it chromed before I installed it I would have gained some serious hp.

 

[MOz]

Did you guys upgrade the intake and injectors when you did the header upgrade? I would think you would see a noticeable increase in HP and torque if you did the upgrade as a complete system. Headers alone will not increase the motor output, you would want to also do the induction then the full benefit of the gains will be realized.

 

[crj101]

Thanks to all you guys you have told me just what I needed to hear.

 

[stainless]

MOz,
No, I only did the header.
I did it because:
a) it was the right price...aka cheaper than an OE (I gave ~$100 for the header and some other stuff on eBay)
b) At that time I had no clue what direction I was going to take the Jeep. I figured that if I got a header and wanted to fiddle with my performance later, I'd have a head start.

1BLKJP,
Yeah, If I'd paid retail for the header I would have been SERIOUSLY dissappointed.

 

[MOz]

Stainless:

Sounds like you need to go shopping for the intake.... I really don't hink you'll be disappointed. Get a bigger air filter too and that engine will really breathe a lot better.

 

[stainless]

I already have all kinds of foliage, dirt, and furry critters getting sucked into the stock airbox. I can't imagine what I'd have stuck to my filter if it was any bigger or exposed.
...and besides, I'm actually content having a slow, ugly TJ.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I already have all kinds of foliage, dirt, and furry critters getting sucked into the stock airbox. I can't imagine what I'd have stuck to my filter if it was any bigger or exposed.
...and besides, I'm actually content having a slow, ugly TJ.

Not to mention that a bigger air filter or aftermarket air intake won't do squat for performance on a TJ engine. Such products can offer significant power gains for some cars that have restricted air intakes but the TJ's air intake has no such restriction... it breathes more than well enough to be able to provide more air than the engine can consume at wide-open-throttle and redline RPMs.