Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Exhaust manifold/header

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-01-2016, 08:28 AM
  #1  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
SatiricalHen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 5,920
Likes: 0
Received 190 Likes on 165 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default Exhaust manifold/header

Alright, I've done it one with a cheap apn stainless manifold last summer and that one has already cracked again. What manifold/header will last without cracking and/or has a lifetime warranty? Thanks. I'll keep searching myself but figured someone might have the answer to this beaten horse.
Old 04-01-2016, 08:50 AM
  #2  
::CF Moderator::
 
cruiser54's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,867
Received 1,525 Likes on 1,237 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

How are your engine and trans mounts?

Use a flex pipe.
Attached Images  
Old 04-01-2016, 08:52 AM
  #3  
Seasoned Member
 
Orlo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Id like to tag along on this thread (not a hijack!) I'm in the market for one as well. I was set to look at APN, Dorman and possibly the eBay discount items if people can give them two thumbs up. Fitment is a big concern as I've read various accounts of tabs being too large either by width or in thickness. Also, many sellers list the same manifolds as fitting the grand and wranglers. Not sure if that means you can MAKE them fit with a hammer's persuasion. I don't really want to bash on my new exhaust to make it fit.
Old 04-01-2016, 09:01 AM
  #4  
::CF Moderator::
 
cruiser54's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,867
Received 1,525 Likes on 1,237 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by Orlo
Id like to tag along on this thread (not a hijack!) I'm in the market for one as well. I was set to look at APN, Dorman and possibly the eBay discount items if people can give them two thumbs up. Fitment is a big concern as I've read various accounts of tabs being too large either by width or in thickness. Also, many sellers list the same manifolds as fitting the grand and wranglers. Not sure if that means you can MAKE them fit with a hammer's persuasion. I don't really want to bash on my new exhaust to make it fit.
All that may be required is a little intake manifold filing.
Attached Thumbnails Exhaust manifold/header-intake-filing.jpg  
Old 04-01-2016, 09:05 AM
  #5  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
SatiricalHen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 5,920
Likes: 0
Received 190 Likes on 165 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by cruiser54
How are your engine and trans mounts? Use a flex pipe.
brand new brown dog motor mounts rubber and brand new trans mount rubber.
Old 04-01-2016, 09:08 AM
  #6  
::CF Moderator::
 
cruiser54's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,867
Received 1,525 Likes on 1,237 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by SatiricalHen
brand new brown dog motor mounts rubber and brand new trans mount rubber.
Oh, so they are new. What were the mounts like during MOST of the header's life til now?

Did we shut the barn door after the horse got out?
Old 04-01-2016, 09:14 AM
  #7  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
SatiricalHen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 5,920
Likes: 0
Received 190 Likes on 165 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by cruiser54
Oh, so they are new. What were the mounts like during MOST of the header's life til now? Did we shut the barn door after the horse got out?
I replaced the mounts a few months after the new exhaust manifold, they were never in very bad shape I just figured they're 17 years old so might as well replace them.
Old 04-01-2016, 09:18 AM
  #8  
::CF Moderator::
 
cruiser54's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,867
Received 1,525 Likes on 1,237 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Okay. Flex joint.
Old 04-01-2016, 09:31 AM
  #9  
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
 
SatiricalHen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 5,920
Likes: 0
Received 190 Likes on 165 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by cruiser54
Okay. Flex joint.
don't those leak?
Old 04-01-2016, 12:42 PM
  #10  
Member
 
JeremyXJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Kent, WA
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

If they break, yeah.
Old 04-01-2016, 05:48 PM
  #11  
Banned
 
extrashaky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Florida
Posts: 2,379
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes on 12 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: Golen 4.6L
Default

Originally Posted by cruiser54
Use a flex pipe.
How do you know a crappy APN header isn't going to just crack itself anyway under the stress of heating and cooling? This isn't the first time someone has posted this complaint about those headers. They just don't seem to be made that well.

Originally Posted by SatiricalHen
What manifold/header will last without cracking and/or has a lifetime warranty?
I love my Banks header, but it has less than 10K miles on it, so I can't speak to how long it will last. They have a 5 year warranty IF you buy it from an authorized reseller. I got mine $100 cheaper from a guy on Ebay who bought it new and never installed it. I figured it was worth the gamble.

I think Rugged Ridge also have a 5 year warranty. Borla has a "million mile" warranty on headers, but I don't think they make one that will fit a '99.
Old 04-01-2016, 06:44 PM
  #12  
CF Veteran
 
s346k's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: central IN
Posts: 2,282
Likes: 0
Received 15 Likes on 11 Posts
Year: 1997
Engine: 4.0
Default

I like my stock manifold. it's only 19 years old with a few hundred thousand on it so I have limited input but works good.
Old 04-01-2016, 07:56 PM
  #13  
Seasoned Member
 
Orlo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

So then, anyone care to share their experiences with either Dorman or the eBay mystery manifold? I'm not spending the big bucks buying borla or OEM for my limited use rig.
Old 04-01-2016, 08:03 PM
  #14  
CF Veteran
 
93XJeeper's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,528
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I just installed a Dorman and flex tube about half a year ago and have had no problems yet. Everything bolted together as should with no fitment issues. I'll post a link to my YouTube video in just a sec

Edit: here you go.
Old 04-01-2016, 08:31 PM
  #15  
::CF Moderator::
 
cruiser54's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,867
Received 1,525 Likes on 1,237 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by extrashaky
How do you know a crappy APN header isn't going to just crack itself anyway under the stress of heating and cooling? This isn't the first time someone has posted this complaint about those headers. They just don't seem to be made that well.



I love my Banks header, but it has less than 10K miles on it, so I can't speak to how long it will last. They have a 5 year warranty IF you buy it from an authorized reseller. I got mine $100 cheaper from a guy on Ebay who bought it new and never installed it. I figured it was worth the gamble.

I think Rugged Ridge also have a 5 year warranty. Borla has a "million mile" warranty on headers, but I don't think they make one that will fit a '99.
Because I've used them for over 5 years with no issues......Cheapos from ebay.


Quick Reply: Exhaust manifold/header



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:25 AM.