14 replies to this topic

[ODD1991]

Hi all,

I have just started my engine rebuild, the engine is from a 1989 mg metro. The engine came with a Mini sport alloy water heated manifold.

I was wondering if anyone knows which one is better as i have heard good things about the mg metro manifold but i havent heard much about the minis port alloy manifold?

thanks

owen

[Tommyboy12]

Stick with the manifold you have. A water heated manifold gives good fuel atomisation in colder weather.

[ODD1991]

hi, didnt the mg metro have a water heated manifold? i more worried about good flow as im not onvinced on the water heating part.

[Bungle]

yes the MG manifold was water heated and was about the best flowing one you can buy

[ODD1991]

yes the MG manifold was water heated and was about the best flowing one you can buy

thanks for the reply, i will try and source an original mg metro manifold and sell my mini sport alloy manifold, another question, was the mg metro manifold alloy?

owen

[lrostoke]

One thing we noticed when we fitted an MG manifold to one of ours was that the outer faces of the mounting tabs on the manifold were at different height to the exhaust manifold so the thick washers didn't sit right. We made the faces all same size but I've read of others who step the washer on one side.

Also the alloy around the water pipe was to close to the rocker cover, we had to grind that back slightly

[ODD1991]

One thing we noticed when we fitted an MG manifold to one of ours was that the outer faces of the mounting tabs on the manifold were at different height to the exhaust manifold so the thick washers didn't sit right. We made the faces all same size but I've read of others who step the washer on one side.

Also the alloy around the water pipe was to close to the rocker cover, we had to grind that back slightly

Thanks for your input. So, i would have modify the manifold to ensure that it would fit with a lcb manifold and to make sure it wouldnt foul the rocker cover? Were they alloy originally and also what is your oponion on the water heated side of things?

Owen

[lrostoke]

I can't say the manifold will need modifying to sit along side all exhaust manifolds, but ours had to be, and I have seen other topics on here saying the same.

As for the water heated lots of arguments for and against. Personally mine isn't connected but to be honest that was mainly down to asthetics, I've got the old style heater circuit so would have meant an ugly pipe across the engine or a modification.

I did plumb my sisters and brother in laws in, can't say I noticed any difference between theres and mine.

[Tommyboy12]

Still say stick with the one you have. The MG Metro manifold was alloy and you will find it very similar if not identical to the one you have. For the outlay of the unit power gain will be miniscule if any at all. More could be gained from you buying a dremel and attacking the Minisport unit to smooth out the ports than you buying another intake manifold.

[ODD1991]

Still say stick with the one you have. The MG Metro manifold was alloy and you will find it very similar if not identical to the one you have. For the outlay of the unit power gain will be miniscule if any at all. More could be gained from you buying a dremel and attacking the Minisport unit to smooth out the ports than you buying another intake manifold.

I had that in mind for whatever one i had. I read through the manifold section in Vizards book and didnt see any info on the minisport manifold hence the question . Vizard states that the water heated elemant produced miniscule differences so i dont think i will connect him up as i dont want more pipe work and less space. I think i will stick with the one i got and make the most out of with help from Vizard. Another question what is the hole for on top of the manifold? i heard it supposed to be connected to the servo but not sure.

Owen

[lrostoke]

The hole is the servo port. Should have a blanking plug in if no servo is fitted

[jaydee]

The minisport inlet manifold is some kind of a reproduction of the mg inlet..i wouldnt waste money on a swap.
with heater connected, seems to improve fuel consumption but causes a power lose when engine is warm, i havent connected the heater. Connect the servo, if you have one..
You can improve manifold performance by removing the burrs and the casting imperfections you'll find inside, but DO NOT polish it, as it is meant to be rough on the inside to aid fuel atomization.
Cheers

Edited by jaydee, 26 May 2011 - 10:21 AM.

[ODD1991]

The minisport inlet manifold is some kind of a reproduction of the mg inlet..i wouldnt waste money on a swap.
with heater connected, seems to improve fuel consumption but causes a power lose when engine is warm, i havent connected the heater. Connect the servo, if you have one..
You can improve manifold performance by removing the burrs and the casting imperfections you'll find inside, but DO NOT polish it, as it is meant to be rough on the inside to aid fuel atomization.
Cheers

Thanks, i havent got a servo so it dosent matter. Dilemma on what to do! I thought it might have been a copy of the Metro manifold. I would rather have the original rather than a copy and i dont like having parts stamped with shop branding e.g Mini Sport. I think i will shop around for a MG Metro manifold.

Owen

[jaydee]

i dont like having parts stamped with shop branding e.g Mini Sport

You can always file down the minisport logo in 5 minutes..

[ODD1991]

i dont like having parts stamped with shop branding e.g Mini Sport

You can always file down the minisport logo in 5 minutes..

Might give it a go, thanks

Owen