So i wasn't going to share this story but in my endeavor to find the parts i need to fix my Jaguar I need to ask specific questions here, so I guess its only fair to share what happened first. over the recent holiday weekend here in the U.S. I was out and about running errands in the Jaguar, I made a left turn onto a road I frequently use only to hit a raised structure. Specifically a man hole cover. They had pulled the surface off the road for resurfacing. In my own defense that raised structure is not easily seen when making a left turn onto the road i was turning from. If you were coming straight along that road with the raised manhole cover you would see it ahead of time, but not easily when making a left onto that road. No use complaining to the town anyway, I know from previous experience when they resurfaced my street they had a bump between the new road surface and the end of my driveway. They stated the difference must be more than 5 inches for them to consider it an issue, so that i fixed myself with driveway repair and a stamper. Although i think that manhole cover was in a bad spot to see when turning onto the road i still consider it my fault. Ok so i hurt my Pal myself. You always hurt the ones you love right?
So I didn't hit it with the wheels. It kind of bottomed out but didn't touch the oil pan or transmission pan. No scrapes on either or new leaks. The hard hit did knock the car out of alignment, and mostly hit the forward part of the exhaust underneath. That is where the scrapes are anyway on the exhaust, no holes there. The exhaust noise is really coming from under the hood. I think it re-cracked an exhaust manifold. The exhaust manifold was previously welded years ago. Which brings me to my first question.
If the exhaust manifold cracked along a previously repaired crack can it be re-welded? Also is it a good idea to try to get it re-welded?
In the possibility it can't be fixed, I investigated getting replacements. Only used ones it seems.
I was previously under the impression that the exhaust manifold between the supercharged and NA versions were different. Referring to the diagram in this link. https://www.jaguarparts.com/v-1996-j...ust-components
1&2 is the exhaust manifold and is the same between NA and Supercharged engines? Is that correct? On this diagram at least it looks like only parts 6&7 after the manifold are different for NA and supercharged engines. Asking because here in North America it will be easier to find a good exhaust manifold, front and rear both good, off a NA car.
My plan was to take off the manifold that's on it now, evaluate it, replace it with a used one in better condition and then send it out to get Ceramic coated. Takes like a month and will cost $700 to get it ceramic coated.
Thank you for reading and I look forward to your replies.

 

Ceramic coating will not make the manifold any stronger. I always thought it was purely aesthetic, however I think someone claims there's some benefits to keeping the manifold cooler? I'd debate that.

Not sure about rewelding...isn't it easy enough to remove the heat shield and take a look at the manifolds? Aston Martin uses the same manifolds and I believe they are still available. Probably end up costing about what you'll pay for the repair and ceramic coating. There was a thread on that recently.