Tubular Manifold

[Azman]

Hi guys, The tubular manifold on the CQ20V,

Worth anything or not?

And do they actually improve the car over the cast ones?

[Ski]

what do the little voices tell you?

[Paulgo]

My cq20v came with the tubular manifold I think it makes quite a noticable improvement to the low down torque and smoother response to the cast - bit faster too i think - especially when I de-catted it! Mine was pretty close to the 10v for low down grunt, something thats not really the 7a's speciality! Certainly if I was ever to get another cq20v it would have to be tubular!

Im not entirely sure, there's more info across on audifans.net, but I think you need to tweak the ECU for it to work as it should if you're transplanting one. Something like that anyway - cant remember specifically and I could well be wrong (wouldnt be the first time !!) but I do know a couple of the lads have mentioned this as an issue so its not necessarily a straight swap. If you are thinking of doing it I'd do a search or pm Nogin across on Fans as he has experience of this.

HTH's

Paul

[Azman]

Nah paul, one is attatched to the CQ20 I have at the moment, just wondering if it should be bayed or kept after the engines change bays hehe

[A1QSHIP]

Totally Tubular

Alledgely the later 7a engines had a different software map to increase power on the cars without the tubular header. This was done to compensate for the power loss when going to the cast manifold. Adding the header is supposed to make more power that the cars that came with the header originally. I read that this was 5 to 7 hp. Also, consider the weight difference between the cast and tubular header, about 30 lbs.
With the header the car "sounds" faster and "feels" faster but it all may be wishful thinking on my part.