What kind of exhaust manifold do I have?

[mario826]

I have a 1993 Corolla base auto, and my exhaust manifold is broken and I can't find the same manifold anywhere, can it be from another car? Here are some pics:

[Kiwi-Corolla]

I'm not sure which USDM models you get over there as they're different to the JDM models here, but any exhaust manifold off a 4A-FE will work. Your best bet would be to ring around a few wreckers and ask for a 2nd generation 4A-FE manifold. They're bound to have one.

Personally, I wouldn't even bother replacing it with another OEM one. 98% of them that I've seen have cracked directly through the middle, including the one I had. It's just the way they have been cast. A much better option would be to use the headers off eBay. They flow better and are a lot stronger. You can buy them for the same price or less than an OEM exhaust manifold and save yourself a few headaches along the way.

[mario826]

Originally Posted by Kiwi-Corolla

I'm not sure which USDM models you get over there as they're different to the JDM models here, but any exhaust manifold off a 4A-FE will work. Your best bet would be to ring around a few wreckers and ask for a 2nd generation 4A-FE manifold. They're bound to have one.

Personally, I wouldn't even bother replacing it with another OEM one. 98% of them that I've seen have cracked directly through the middle, including the one I had. It's just the way they have been cast. A much better option would be to use the headers off eBay. They flow better and are a lot stronger. You can buy them for the same price or less than an OEM exhaust manifold and save yourself a few headaches along the way.

what car is the 2nd generation 4A-FE manifold from?

[Kiwi-Corolla]

Like I said, I don't know which models of Toyota you get in the states that come with 4A-FE engines so I can't tell you. Over here in New Zealand we have Levins, Sprinters, Marinos, Caribs, Carinas, Avensis', Spacios etc that come with 4A-FEs - All of which you don't get in the US.

Some Coronas over there should have 2nd generation 4A-FEs however. If you tell the wreckers that you want a 2nd gen 4A-FE exhaust manifold then they should know exactly what you're talking about. If you're really having trouble then just go for the eBay alternative.

[fredricktflail]

Mostly your year of corolla 93-97, That mainfold off a 1.8 litre 7A-FE will work as well, Also Geo prizum's.

[fredricktflail]

Oh Ya, and thats the right manifold for your car. But I'd do what the last guy said and get the ebay header most of the bolt right up with no welding.

[Bitter]

Also!
the emissions specification, if its california or federal will make a difference. If its california then your car has 3 oxygen sensors and 2 catalytic converters. that exhaust manifold is different from federal since the 1st cat bolts right to the bottom vs the federal which bolts to a pipe. if you put the ebay header on a cali emissions car you will have a check engine code for the missing cat converter, you have to do the spark plug non-fouler trick to get the code to go away.

[mario826]

Originally Posted by fredricktflail

Oh Ya, and thats the right manifold for your car. But I'd do what the last guy said and get the ebay header most of the bolt right up with no welding.

but notice the second pic you guys, my manifold looks a little different, the o2 sensor is on the top of the header, most ebay headers like like below, is mine a California manifold?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1997-...item5193644d64

[musclecar64]

I don't see an o2 sensor up top. Should be down on the collector pipe facing forward.

[mario826]

Originally Posted by musclecar64

I don't see an o2 sensor up top. Should be down on the collector pipe facing forward.

notice in the second pic in the dark area

[Kiwi-Corolla]

Originally Posted by musclecar64

I don't see an o2 sensor up top. Should be down on the collector pipe facing forward.

I didn't initially see it either since I use an external CRT screen for my laptop, but if I switch back to the laptop's LCD screen it shows up.

Here's the same image made brighter so that you can see it:

[speedy25]

Ahhh, NOW we see the same as you.

My O2 sensor is just below where yours is in the downpipe.

If you dont go the header route, you might have to get a manifold AND downpipe.

Has anyone ever tried to weld these back together? One upon a time it was common practice to weld some of the cast iron manifolds on very old cars and trucks.

-SP

[Bitter]

thats a cali manifold, he has to replace it with another cali manifold.

you cannot weld nodular cast iron...successfully. they can be brazed with minor success.

[Kiwi-Corolla]

Originally Posted by speedy25

Ahhh, NOW we see the same as you.

My O2 sensor is just below where yours is in the downpipe.

If you dont go the header route, you might have to get a manifold AND downpipe.

Has anyone ever tried to weld these back together? One upon a time it was common practice to weld some of the cast iron manifolds on very old cars and trucks.

-SP

I had mine professionally welded when it cracked, but about 4-months later you could see a small hairline crack starting to form where it had been welded. It hadn't started leaking again, but I could tell it was going to at some point. That's when I decided to just go down the header route and save all the hassle.

[speedy25]

Hmmmm, somehow I hoped that with all the new welding technology in the last 10 years someone would have figured it out.

AT least mario knows he has a CA model now.

-SP