Expression of Interest in Custom-made Stainless Steel Exhaust Manifolds for X300
 

Hi All,

I think there has been sufficient discussions in this forum and elsewhere about exhaust manifolds cracking and the diseconomies buying new and fixing/refixing existing/used ones, it is time we found a permanent fix which folks are willing to afford. Would folks please indicate interest in a set of exhaust manifolds made of 308 stainless steel for their X300, based on XJREngineer's specifications. The idea is to gather sufficient interest to make a batch order worthwhile, so individual set ends up priced reasonably close to factory originals.

Let me start first:

1995 XJR6 X300 4.0 Supercharged (RHD); original parts No. NBC2902AA/AC and 2903AA/AC with air injection and EGR

I would be interested.

1997 XJR 4.0 SC, LHD

How can you possibly cover all the different models? With air injection, without air injection, with egr, without egr. I guess you would also need a poll on which one is most needed.

Fair enough; I have added the matching Parts No. in my original post, and would let the engineer handle the sub-categories. I remember reading about slight differences among the many variables that can be overcome by other means.

1996 XJ6 3.2 RHD Possibly with EGR, no air pump. Interested in a solution.

Exhaust manifold
 

I would be interested in at least one set possible two if we get the price right. We could put the threaded holes for air injection and if not needed use a thread plug and then we could all use the same set.

I've yet to experience the issue, so don't know if I'm lucky or they'll crack in 127 miles.

So, at the moment, can't vote.
(but will state: 4.0 US non-turbo engine, with air pump and egr)

You guys know that there is already a forum member making these manifolds in Stainless right?

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/a...ine=1395880765

Send a PM or email to Doc Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum - View Profile: doc

those exhaust manifolds can be made even with just one piece order, go to your local muffler center, they will be able to do it for you. They do have benders and welders in the shop, all they will do is duplicate/copy the distance and formation of your old manifold and change material to stainless.

I left my car at the exhaust shop for 5 months so that the headers could be designed properly not to mention the cost of doing so
Starting with XJR engineers exhaust parameters then actually getting it to fit in the car

I wish someone made these when I was looking I looked for 3 years and 3 sets of cast headers before I bit the bullet and did these

Never expected to get rich from them just wanted to save others the dramas of standard crap cast rubbish that cracks all the time

If any one is are interested I would be open to a batch order

I have sold a few sets so far including a few variations of my original direct replacement versions if you want to do the whole system as on my car in the below pictures

They are universal fit LHD or RHD they can be made from mild steel but by the time you ceramic coat them they are not much cheaper than the stainless 304 versions which will last forever

They are built by a leading race car exhaust builder here in Australia that only does race cars and High dollar stuff if you where here I would take any member to see his shop its an eye opener

Yes, but as per Doc's advice it is not cheap (I asked and he is right! and don't forget shipment depending where you live and whether you want more than just the headers). So it would only make sense to go for batch order to lower overalls costs, achieve workshop efficiency, and, more importantly, speed up the "yes I do" process.

I started this new thread also because Andy (forum name "XJRengineer") has in my separate thread on my auto-to-manual gearbox conversion project, made the following suggestion: “I could design and have made sets of fabricated stainless steel replacement exhaust manifolds, but I would have to make several sets in one batch in order to be competitive with the price of the std cast parts. If someone wants to start a separate thread to create a consortium of interested owners who want to buy fabricated exhaust manifolds, we could see if there is sufficient demand for a one-time batch of new fabricated parts. I already offer 8mm thick 308 grade stainless steel flanges to people who want to make their own manifolds. I also offer just the computer files that are used to programme the water jet or laser profiling machines that cut these flanges out of plate.”

There are many options to help folks with replacing their broken heaters, Doc’s solution and XJREngineer’s ideas above.

I myself would avoid having to find my own metal shop to try my luck, and I would also hope to reduce shipment cost if making them overseas so an exact replacement of the factory version in stainless steel would be my preference.

I have full confidence in Doc’s and XJRengineer's knowledge and experience with these items, and certainly they are not aiming to profit from this production but just to help. So it would only greatly help them if folks could indicate interest here or via PM to Doc and XJRengineer so they can work out the costs and consider the time and risks involved.

i would go for one set if the price is right because i have to pay shipping fees to Georgia (Country) as well.

1996 Jaguar XJR 4.0 Supercharged.

Too late for me as I already bought a pair of brand new OEM manifolds. Will watch with interest though.

In the past 10 days since this thread was started, 6 people have expressed interest here and 1 other has indicated interest via PM to me, but there is no further post during the past week. Not sure if Doc and XJRengineer have seen any interest via PMs sent directly to them.

Given the recurring discussions still going on elsewhere in this forums (e.g. one on highest mileage), the level of concern is quite high but interest in a permanent solution seems lukewarm. Maybe many have found a temporary fix or reluctantly bought the factory originals, while others are still running with unknown cracked manifolds, or even if they knew they have cracked manifolds, they are tolerating it as they are not too sure they want to keep their car for long.

To me the factory originals obviously are predictably prune to crack, worst still, mostly prematurely, and such should be classified as manufacturing defect. Either Jaguar offers it at much lower price to reflect quality versus price, or it should improve on the design and material used. I was surprised that no one took issue with Jaguar about this, especially in the UK which has the largest number of Jaguar running - maybe many have not bothered to take issue but find a local solution. Whatever, this is just low quality and poor after-sales service, a matter inconsistent with Jaguar's top market image. I have welded mine for the time being but am sure they will crack again soon. So if someone can offer a factory direct replacement in stainless steel and price it right, i.e. not more expensive than the OEM parts, I would be the first one to buy.

I hope to gauge more attention and interest here so Doc or XJRengineer would consider a group solution worthwhile.

Qvhk,

I think this is a great concept but perhaps needs a bit more structure/information to illicit more responses.

For instance it would be great if Andy or Doc could give some ballpark pricing based on quantity. So perhaps a price of X each for 10 units, Y for 25, Z for 50 etc. This way people will have an idea of what they would be getting into and could gauge the value against whatever they are doing now.

I would think that Andy or Doc could easily provide some kind of guesstimate and think that might propel this great idea forward.

Thanks, Allan. Certainly your proposed scenario is ideal, but there are forum rules so Doc and Andy can only react to info here and contact those who have expressed interested via PM about the likely costing. Also, Andy and Doc offer different solutions, and Andy is in the UK and Doc in the Southern Continent, meaning shipment will definitely play a part. Given that what I proposed is not even a commitment to buy, the present level of interest is unlikely able to make the idea viable.

Neat work. Almost a shame it's hidden out of sight underneath the car!

Graham

I have been following the post!

Its been 3 years since I started offering these pipes and have only had 1 person ask and get a set in that time

I will be going past my builder tomorrow as he is 100 k,s from where I live in the opposite direction from where I might normally go I will ask him for a bulk price

As for shipping I might be able to get a large order to Long Beach CA at the right price I have a guy that ships to Australia and also sends some stuff back if anyone lives close to there he or she might be able to get them out from there and keep the costs down

As for the UK Europe I might be able to do something there as well also trying to keep the shipping costs down

Its very hard shipping costs are out of my hands but I am open to to try

I do these headers not for profit as by the time I run around picking them and so forth

I do them because when my headers cracked for the 3rd time in less than 2 years at $900 each time and searching the net and asking worldwide for a set I realised no one was interested in making such a small order

Paramount performance in the UK do a set 2800 pounds and they are not even designed for our cars they are designed for the AJ16 engine only and at that price I wasn't prepared to take a guess that they would be a direct replacement fit as I designed my set to be

I personally spent close to ten grand on the development of these admittedly I got a killer exhaust out of the deal so that's okay on my part

I have had my XJR6 up for sale for close to a year now and had only 3 guys come look at it and one person say he would swap me for all my performance gear to help me sell the car of course I said no thanks

I put it down to the fact these cars are getting old and they guys owning them are very adept at keeping them going as economically as possible as all you have to do is look at this forum lots of help and ideas on repairs
which makes this a very good forum

When I had Mercedes Benz cars the forums for those cars are very different not as friendly and not as open to modifying the cars

I was originally on another Jag site and it was very similar situation

Then finding the original XJR6 forum was a life saver /Jag saver
great forum Lots of like minded guys that's where I Got to know Andy quite well through that forum and if it had not been for Andy I probably would have scrapped my car long ago as no mechanic seemed to know how to fix it regardless of cost and believe me I poured money at the car
I could have bought a pretty good Japanese car for the money I spent on it

Then being pointed by Andy to this forum which is again fantastic lots of like minded guys trying to keep their Jags going with modifying them not a taboo subject

Most of my modifying was a result of trying to get the car to actually go like it should with a semblance of economy I was only getting 350 k,s to a tank no matter how I drove the car
So started with a timing bracket them a plate to block of the longitudinal holes in the supercharger a cold air induction system anti tramlineing bushes exhaust system remapped ECU by Andy changing diff gears multiple air flow meters multiple coils every sensor known to man plus new hoses belts thermostats ISC valve cleaning throttle body's the list goes on
I have a manila folder 3 inch's thick the car went better each time but was still not perfect

Then one day my Indie noticed the water pump and lower crank seal where weeping I said repair both that's when we found that at some time before my ownership the harmonic balancer had come loose and moved on the key-way and had just been re tightened my indie had to destroy the old harmonic to get it off lucky he had a very good second hand one so new key balancer and bolt

It was like a different car my fuel economy went to 700 k,s per tank on the highway felt like the car had gained 100 HP at the rear wheels finally all the Mods felt like they where doing something

The car came with a huge file full dealer service history and from the most recognised independent in Sydney that's the reason I bought the car
needless to say full service history is good but not everything

My new XJ8X350 also has a full dealer service history and yet when I took it to the ZF gearbox specialist he said the gearbox had never been serviced or fluid changed the car was 10 years old and 165,000 k,s on the clock

So the process starts again I am nearly at $5000 spent just to make sure its right that after a full service history from the main dealer in Sydney

I will always offer the headers till X300,s become extinct but by then they will be fitting the engines to kit cars and the like just like they do to earlier XK engines

But until people get sick of repairing the factory cast headers with 18 year old second hand parts
I at least offer another choice apart from genuine that's why I made them

I have also had 2 and quarter inch new dump pipes designed and made with 200 cell High flow cats all with mandrel bends and ceramic coated with new o2 sensors into an underfloor X pipe fitted to the X350

I didn't bother to have them jigged and prototyped after seeing the demand for the X300 I didn't bother with the X350 any member's with X350 cars I can point you in the right direction but wont be offering these as a ready made kit

xjr6 stainless manifolds
 

Hi ya all,
Work seems to govern my life of late but now about to restart my resto job on my 1995 xjr6 x300 ,from front suspension / brakes to rear subframe / brakes , you all know how it goes so i wont bore you with all the details , but as jags do tend to run off with your cash i only want to do as much of it i can once (lol). anyhow i would be more than interested in a stainless manifold set up as i've already been down the repair route and they're cracked again already.
so its the obvious route to go as the rest of the systems going custom anyhow, cost and supply times would be great. Thanks Neil

I certainly would not want to infringe on any forum rules but I do think we can find a way to disseminate this information.

Perhaps our marvelous mods could help us find a solution as this would be of benefit to the entire community?

Some thoughts would be:

Allowing a post in the classified or vendor section and then starting a thread in the X300 forum with a link to that post?

Or if we had a pricing structure sheet, perhaps we could upload it to the web and link to it in a post?

I just think that having a rough idea of cost will engender much more interest which could potentially drive down the price for everyone. This is an extremely price sensitive issue because the value of the cars is low and not many people will pony up say $1500 for new manifolds. They will just try to patch it up or live with it (could be dangerous)

Just musing because I think it's a great solution :)