15 replies to this topic

[KEV@POWARTEK]

Im wanting to stage 1 my 998 but have seen a few different make LCBs. Are there any I should stay away from or are they all pretty much the same?

[Retro_10s]

As it's a 998, stay away from the LCB altogether and get the 'Maniflow Cooper Freeflow' manifold, It's designed for small bore motors, and is all one piece so you don't have to mess about with Y-pieces that don't seal and Centre branches that are the wrong shape. The Freeflow will outperform the LCB.

LCB for large bore motors, 1275 +
Freeflow for 998 and 1098 based motors.

[mrbridger]

yes, treat yourself to a minispares stage one.

[jaydee]

The Long Centre Branch exhaust manifold is needed for engines that spread out most of their power at high revs.
A stange one kit will need a cooper freeflow to get out the most of your 998 engine at mid range. Thats where it has all his power and torque. And will get more benefits if you go for a twin box system exhaust.
The 'small bore lcb' is used in combination with a stg3 head, twin hs2 carbs, 1.3 rockers and single box exhaust (the one with twin pipes in dtm style). This combination will have the most of power at high revs, and needs a long centre branch manifold. Aswell for the cooper conversion kit.

[KEV@POWARTEK]

Thank you, just savd me wasting more money.

[snowy653]

thanks all,
was in the same dilema myself so just saved me a lot of time and money.
I got a set of twin 1 1/4 su's so is the freeflow manifold still the one for me.

[KSTANDSTEVE]

I have recently gone down this road with my 998 mini.

I bought the minispares maniflow manifold as recommended above.

Just a few points which I discovered.

1) The existing cast manifold is a one piece item so you will need to buy a minispares inlet manifold to go with it. You can modify your old cast item but cant see the point in that unless cost is a problem.

2) If fitting yourself the manifold is a tight fit down the back of the engine. I had to remove the rocker cover AND loosen the top engine stay to enable the engine to "rock" - still tight but it does go in.

3) After fitting I found my emissions were way out. I was advised to change the carb jet to a stage 1 jet (very cheap from minispares) also adjusted the timing to 5 degrees btdc - Car runs fine now.

Just my experiance which may/may not be typical.

[jaydee]

thanks all,
was in the same dilema myself so just saved me a lot of time and money.
I got a set of twin 1 1/4 su's so is the freeflow manifold still the one for me.

Yep.

[KEV@POWARTEK]

Looking at these 2 stage 1 kits:

http://www.minisport...fo_T-KTK01.html

http://www.minispare...mp;tc=1#submenu

Now there is a good difference in the price, is it that the Minisport exhaust isnt as good as the Minispares? The Minisport kit comes with a cone filter instead of the element, does that make much of a difference on these engines?

[jaydee]

Minispares one is better, the other kit wont be a good stg1, i'd take it only if already have a better breathing head and a long duration cam. Not to mention how easier the Cooper freeflow+RC40 is to fit.

[KEV@POWARTEK]

Ok Jaydee, another question.

when they say side exit exhaust, my understanding is that the tailpipe will come out just infront of the rear wheel.....is this correct?

[AndrewJ530]

No it will come out underneath the rear valence at the left hand side.

Like this:

[mini mark]

go for the minispares one easy to fit once you have the the manifold in place and good quality got one a few weeks back and im very pleased with it.

[shorty]

Minispares one is better, the other kit wont be a good stg1, i'd take it only if already have a better breathing head and a long duration cam. Not to mention how easier the Cooper freeflow+RC40 is to fit.

i have to say from looking at my stage 1 i believe it to be a minisport one (clicky)

and to be honest it performs really well.

Edited by shorty, 08 August 2009 - 08:01 PM.

[jaydee]

Cant see the pic..What inlet manifold you got?
And look if theres 'RC40' stamped on the silencer box and the exhaust manifold is a maniflow, then its a minispares kit.