I've got a '94 MM 2.4L F/I and there's a crack in my Exhaust Manifold just above the mid-pipe flange. Truck doesn't seem to lack power but often ticks on startup. Nobody carries the paired port manifold anymore however, and unless I'm mistaken, Doug Thorley only made a paired port header for my truck for a short time and doesn't anymore. I plan to build the truck for performance later, but right now, it's my A to B so I need the least expensive most bolt-on option for efficiency of cost and time. Does anybody know of an option I may have missed? Here's what I've considered:
Salvage Yard paired port manifold.
- How do I know the manifold I pull doesn't have cracks too? (They're all cast iron) Short of just looking, any way to test the "new" one before taking it home?
Swapping to another SOHC head that has evenly spaced ports.
- Will 16v Triton head bolt on with same connections?
- Will earlier gen MM 2.0 SOHC head bolt on and I still have enough airflow for 2.4L block?
- Is there a SOHC Galant head with Cam Exhaust and Intake in right place when on a RWD 2.4 motor?
Custom-made paired port headers.
- Pretty expensive option though very effective... IF I was planning to stay with the paired port head forever...
- May be a waste of money if I swap to DOHC or evenly spaced head anytime this year or maybe the next five years
Naturally I could swap in the DOHC head (which is my ultimate plan), but I'm building a FWD Laser for the circuit track right now and think that's where my performance money should go right now. Plus, until my Laser hits the street, I can't afford to have my daily driver down for that long. I just need my MM to keep reliably getting me to work and the grocery store. (gotta eat)
If anybody has any helpful insight on this, please let me know. I do a good bit of driving and I'd like to maximize my fuel mileage as well, but can't get a true picture of what the motor is doing if it's ticking from exhaust leak. Plus A/F ratio numbers could be off and I might be prematurely fouling my O2 sensor.
'Preciateit!