Exhaust Manifold

[innesw]

Hi all,
Sorry haven't been active on the forum for ages but the restoration is still progressing slowly, I'll upload a few pictures in the next couple of days...

I was posting for peoples opinions on what I should do with my brand new TTR fast road exhaust system (well really only the manifold part... ) To paint it with very high temp paint (Which colour white/black?) or to leave it stock with no paint.

I've had a good look through the elan engine bays in the gallery and see most are just stock with no paint but there are a few with either white or black paint (even some with blue and yellow paint). Would I benfit from painting the manifold (increase heat loss/ decrease heat loss) obviously I don't want to go and melt any fibreglass that it's near in the engine bay, any other recomendations with heat protection in the engine bay?

Cheers,
Innes.

[jono]

Hi Innes,

Personally I would leave it stock and let it age naturally - as stainless headers do. I say this knowing that you appear to be undertaking a 'faithful' restoration of your JPS.

I had mine ceramic coated in satin black but I have undertaken some 'mods' to the car so I am less bothered about strict originality. It wasn't that cheap (circa ?180) and time will tell if the claims for heat reduction are well founded.

Why not wrap it in heat wrap if you are looking to reduce under bonnet temperatures?

Jon

[stugilmour]

I went the ceramic coating route for mine Innes, and feel the reduction in engine bay heating is significant and well worth the $180 cost. Had it done locally on my SS header. For colour I went with a sort of dull silver colour, which I think looks good.

If yours is SS, you could just leave it if you are thinking colour only; it will weather to a dull gray, although it will be uneven in colour. If regular steel, I suppose high temp paint would look good; I would go silver but that's me.

HTH

[Uboat]

Hi Innes,

Do you think that you will manage to fit the TTR manifold without modifying the chassis? And have you compared the TTR manifold with the fast road manifold frpm Paul Matty?

/Ulf

[innesw]

Hi Ulf,
I've already modified and reinforced my chassis in that area so my TTR fast road exhaust fits.

Innes