New RA exhaust manifolds from Pypes
 

IIRC, our host mentioned something about being involved in this new design several months ago. Anyone have further info?

Available for D-ports.
http://pypesexhaust.com/i-22645243-6...folds-2-5.html

Interesting - what are the details on these?

Max Performance (PY's new restructured company) and Pypes teamed up to make these manifolds. For years, there were 2 choices. RARE and then everyone else carried another brand that was not quite as good as the RARE manifolds. Over the years, the prices of both brands have continued to escalate. The RARE versions are made by a company that has been sued many times for unscrupulous business practices. It's time for a high quality lower cost option from a company that has supported the Pontiac hobby for 30 years. The new Max/Pypes manifolds are beautifully gasket matched and come with a REAL high temperature coating. Initially only the late style 68-72 D-ports are available. Around January 1, the 64-67 D-ports will be available as well. Currently dealers have only inventory of the lower quality manifolds. For now, if you want the new ones, you must specifically ask for the MAX/PYPES version.

Got and email back from Eric at max performance. He stated that they are available now and thinks Ames will have soon if not all ready. They look nice and are 329.00 for the pair . Can't beet that . Doug

Just the 68-72 are ready now? I need them for '67 but can't really wait until January.

A 65-67 round port version might be something to think of.

Have email from MAX performance on these manifolds, as stated they are out for 68 to 72 D ports. I also have talked to Ames and they have no plans on selling them. Quality is not good and see no advantage of these over what they offer. They were sent a set to look at and as I said did not impress anyone so does anyone have any ideas why these are better because they certainly don't think they are. Doug

Just don't know quality of these new ones but Eckler is selling them for 329 has anyone bought one yet? Ames looks like they are out.

That was the original pair of samples Max sent. Since then, we have sent a production version that took care of the issues found on the samples sent.

They are at least as good and about 20% cheaper.

Max will also be releasing a version that is coated with a new technology that keeps about 90% of the heat inside the manifolds to aid in increasing the flow. Look for flow and heat retention test results very soon.

I just got a set of these new D-port ram air manifolds from Max Performance and a Pypes Crossflow system installed on our 455. The manifolds are really nice.

The car sounds great and the performance difference from the stock log manifolds and old duals is incredible. I will be posting photos and maybe some video on my Gramma Car thread in the next few days.

Stay tuned!


http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...gramma&page=12

excellent. Way to go Pypes. I remember back in the day, there were only original Pontiac ones., Boy it was nice to find a pair even back in the mid 70's. Rare and expensive even then

So, where are they listed? I looked on the Home page under parts search. All I saw was exhaust manifolds for $399.00.

This is the set:

http://pypesexhaust.com/i-22645243-6...folds-2-5.html

Thank you sir.

Hard to tell from the pix, are these 2 bolt / 3 bolt flanges?

Yes, 2 and 3 bolt. Here are some photos.

some more:

This is good to know, been planning on buying a set.

Any plans to do a similar re-design/price reduction on the long branch series? By the time you buy the manifolds, studs, flanges, have them coated and buy the filter adapter, you are closing in on $850-900. Would love to go that route, but damn.

Original
 

I have a set of 67 GTO d-port ram air exhaust manifolds. These are not repops.

All the 409 repop manifolds are in the $900-100 range-use Pontiac guys have been lucky!

manifolds
 

Look like the same old castings from Classic Reproductions with the same CM in place of the Gm...ports are mediocre but they fit. If Ames won't handle the so-called "new" design then they are the same. oh well

Definitely not the same old parts. $359 for a 2-1/2" outlet manifold with ceramic coating.

None of the other brands come with a ceramic coating at no extra cost. I shopped around and the other versions charged at least an extra $200 for anything other than bare cast iron which makes a $400 set end up being well over $600.

They fit great and the car runs awesome. Massive difference in power compared to the factory 1975 logs I had on there and the restrictive parts store exhaust system from the 1980's. I am more than happy with my purchase.

Great
 

Would like to buy if they come out or a 68 Firebird 400!!!

Other than the higher price, are there any quality control issues with the ones made by RARE? I'm getting ready to order a set of manifolds or possibly Doug's Headeders.

Hay, if you can get good ceramic for free...thats a deal. I got a bare pair. Compared them to our friends RARE pair they just received, ports weren't as good as RARE's and they weighed 10lbs more than the RARE castings. They also weighed 10lbs more than stock originals he had. Good Luck

I'll stick with the RARE. Thanks!

Just curious, were these the newer version MAX/PYPES that Ccass referred to in post #3 or the earlier version that had some bugs?
Thanks,
Tony

Manifolds
 

Checked both sets @Ames last week. Pypes and there own. The casting was much better on the Ames set. More money but bought for my 65 as they will fit.

New RA exhaust manifolds
 

Stopped at Ames last week checked both sets. The Ames set more $s but had much better casting, so bought a pair and fit on my 65.

What's the point of the double post 23 hours apart?

Who was the guy in Dallas selling them years back? Probably 20 or so years ago I remember being on leave and buying a pair from at his house. He advertised in some magazines back then.

Pypes now has a sound clip of the system that was installed on my GrammaCar, on their website...well a little more than just sound......;-)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptAu...ature=youtu.be

Ram Air Restorations D-Port header feedback thread: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=737036

Nice, looks like Paul Spotts marks are still there. :D

Here's mine with the Pypes exhaust system....no burnout, just a hint of what could be. ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdw8viZ0dSk

Per pair they may be 3-4 lbs heavier but the lighter weight is not magic. Iron is iron for the most part. There's just less material in the RARE manifolds. Unfortunately it's not taken from chambers where increased flow could benefit performance. It's mostly in the output ports where the gaskets can easily blow out because there's not enough iron for the gaskets to adhere to.

Everyone can brag about one vs another but the reality is all that is important is if they fit, flow and don't cost a fortune. Both brands were tested by HPP and they tested literally identical.

Link coming to some comparison picks.

Just to be clear, there is nothing wrong with the RARE manifolds. Those manifolds have helped a lot of customers over the years. All I'm saying is that you now have another choice that is at least as good and about 20% less. That's why this is America.....you get to choose. :)

It just so happens that supporting the new Max Manifolds also supports 20 years worth of free Forums. ;)

Available at Ames and NPD but you must request MAX or you may get CR manifolds which are definitely not as nice. (RARE are only available directly from RARE)