Exhaust Manifold

Every vehicle is equipped with a variety of parts with a variety of functions. Some of these parts are directly related to the performance of the vehicle, like the engine, suspension, transmission and others. There are also vehicle parts whose main function is to make the vehicle look good, like the fenders, spoilers, and other body parts cum accessories. Yet, there are also vehicle parts that have no special function but are mounted in their place because they are necessary in the proper functioning of the vehicle. One of these parts is the exhaust manifold. The function of the exhaust manifold may not be complex but without them, the vehicle surely won't function properly.

The exhaust manifold is that part of a vehicle's exhaust system that gathers all the exhaust gases created by the engine and directs them into the exhaust pipe, which would eventually direct the gases to the catalytic converter and exhaust manifold. Because they have to be attached to the cylinder heads for efficiency in gathering exhausts from each of the individual exhaust ports, the design and number of exhaust manifolds used in different kinds of vehicles vary. Vehicles with linear engines are generally equipped only with a single exhaust manifold while those with V-shaped engines are equipped with two exhaust manifolds, one mounted to each cylinder head.

Typical exhaust manifolds are made from cast iron although some high performance exhaust manifold designs make use of tubular steel or lighter-weight aluminum for their construction. Most exhaust manifolds are also designed with smooth curves so that the flow of the exhaust gases would greatly improve. A special, high performance type of exhaust manifold is the header. Unlike typical exhaust manifolds, the header is made up of separate equal-length tubes that further improve the flow of the exhaust gases. Some headers also have the capability of pulling the exhaust gases out of the cylinder heads, allowing the engine to perform with greater efficiency.

Exhaust manifolds may not have a large function to perform but they are nonetheless important components in every vehicle. As such, it is only proper that you take good care of them. You really wouldn’t need to replace the exhaust manifolds of your vehicle often because it is not prone to a lot of damages and is usually made from rigid materials. However, if you find them with leaks and cracks, it is advisable that you replace them at once with high quality replacement exhaust manifolds.