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Call me slow, but I've only just realised that the exhaust manifold leaves a bit to be desired in the performance department. I actually assumed that it would have extractors as standard that I didn't even bother looking! So, any advice on options for an improvement in efficiency in this department? Cost? Would it be necessary to dress a manifold in tape to keep under-bonnet temperatures in the sane region? I'm interested only in mods that would be reversible. (Picky ain't I.)

Any advice appreciated.

You can get any number of extractors either 4-2-1 or 4-1.

Racing Beat 4-1 are about as good as it gets, but will set you back 7-800 bucks delivered in Aus......or you can pick up the OBX RB 4-1 clones on ebay usa delivered for under 400 bucks. These are also SS Mandrel, and primary lengths / diameters are spot on. (ie they used an RB 4-1 header to build a jig around). I've recently bought a set for the 1.8 and was quite impressed with the quality for the money, and they only need a little dremeling to be spot on.

I wouldnt bother with the Genie headers for the 1.6....

Racing Beat or X-Force are your best bet...its worth paying the bit extra to get a quality product

JSE wrote:Racing Beat or X-Force are your best bet...its worth paying the bit extra to get a quality product

I wouldnt mention those two in the same sentence X-Force (made in China) is OBX Grade....

Ive heard excellent feedback from people with both these extractors and I am putting a set of X-Force ones on my 5 soon. I'm not saying they are of the same quality...Im just saying one of those 2 brands is what I would go with...

Genie sell a pretty cheap set too.

CES racing headers via gary stewart in brisbane around $600 shipped

I had the Genie set on my 1.6.

One suggestion: the standard exhaust manifold isn't actually too bad. Extractors would be the last part of the intake/exhaust system I'd be changing. That is, you can still get benefits from good extractors, but hi-flow cat, cat-back and intake give better results and are more worthwhile doing first.

Of course, if the rest are already done then Racing Beat (expensive but good) or Xforce (cheaper and nearly as good) are good options.

After recently putting x-force extractors on with a high flow cat, follwed some months latter by a 2 1/2 inch cat back system with sports exhaust, I have to say the cat back system made the single most improvement to the power and revability of my engine.

the X-force stuff is better than half the stuff out there..
its suprisingly good, and fits very well to most cars.

Thanks guys, much to think about. As you say Mr. Q, the cat and intake might yield better results per $ spent. I guess it's more of a shock in finding a 'sports' car with such a mundane exhaust setup!