Replica Cast RS2 EMs: Good or Bad?

[UrS4boy]

I contend that the replica cast RS2 EMs, probably made in China, maybe India, are bad. They are very likely cast with a less than correct alloy and, from the pictures, they seem to be poorly cast and poorly machined. Too me buying one knowingly is a waste of money. Buying one unknowingly, shows that some people don't believe the adage that "If it looks too good to be true, it probably is". Quality costs money, both for the manifold design, but more importantly, for the alloy used in the casting, e.g. Inconel.

Anybody with real experiences to shut me up?

[terrybullwon]

I very much doubt that any casts have inconel alloys in the mix.

More likely to be found on a gas turbine or a exhaust manifold from a formula one team. There might be a little (silicon 2-4%) in there , but i suspect that they are just plan gray iron which has low ductile properties.

As time has gone on machine costs have come down and the increase in quality of alloys has risen. So china will always now produce car parts.

Most of the OEM manifolds i have seen have been cracked (excluding a brand new SQ one, i once had )

Its a comman fact that it will happen.. i am sure this manifold is fine and any one using one will find cracks years down the line as they would with a OEM one.

[UrS4boy]

I very much doubt that any casts have inconel alloys in the mix.

Ned Richie of Intended Acceleration in the US did improved RS2 manifolds in Inconel. I wonder what Lupo911 (Herr Wagner) is using in his new manifolds.

As for cracking of these replicas, you don't have any real experience either? (Neither do I - am looking for real data to shut me up, not more conjecture).

[terrybullwon]

[QUOTE=UrS4boy;299936]Ned Richie of Intended Acceleration in the US did improved RS2 manifolds in Inconel. I wonder what Lupo911 (Herr Wagner) is using in his new manifolds.
QUOTE]

Bet there not cheap

[UrS4boy]

Bet there not cheap

No, they weren't cheap. If I remember correctly, US$1100 when the RS2 EMs were about US$800. Thinking about it now, I would buy an Intended Acceleration EM in a heart beat.

Problem is, Ned literally broke the mould (why exactly I am not sure).

[Jamo]

What I find frightening is there are these manifolds on ebay listed as real RS2 manifolds. If you know they are replica's and buy them thats fair enough.

Was it MarkRS2 that had to make a claim via paypal and destroy the replica to get his money back?

[AndyP]

I've got one of the replica manifolds, what I can tell you so far is that the quality of the external casting is very good, the internals left a lot to be desired and took a couple of hours work with a die grinder to clean up. The machining looks OK, the only thing that concerns me is what material they are made of, I guess the only way to check this is to fit it and see. I've already put it through a couple of heat cycles in the oven and it's not warped or cracked yet. I'm planning on fitting it to my S4 when I get time, I'll update you then. Just for reference mine is from XS Power in the USA.

[Lupo911]

I've got one of the replica manifolds, what I can tell you so far is that the quality of the external casting is very good, the internals left a lot to be desired and took a couple of hours work with a die grinder to clean up. The machining looks OK, the only thing that concerns me is what material they are made of, I guess the only way to check this is to fit it and see. I've already put it through a couple of heat cycles in the oven and it's not warped or cracked yet. I'm planning on fitting it to my S4 when I get time, I'll update you then. Just for reference mine is from XS Power in the USA.

the Material is GGG40...

[S2central.net]

Which means what for the mere mortals on here - in terms of comparison with other materials used on EMs ?

Paul

[UrS4boy]

Ggg40

Which means what for the mere mortals on here - in terms of comparison with other materials used on EMs ? Paul

Googled and found this:

"GGG 40 is Spheroidal Graphite iron (Ductile) casting.
More popularly known as SG iron.
The standard specification is BS EN 1563 released in the year 1997.
Chemical composition and hardness left to the discretion of the foundry if not specified by the purchaser.
Tensile 400 N/mm2
Elongation 15 %
0.2 % proof stress 250 N/mm2
Indian equivalent is IS 1865: 1991 grade SG 400/15"

My question for Herr Wagner (Lupo911) is whether he is casting with the same or better alloy.

[Lupo911]

Googled and found this:

"GGG 40 is Spheroidal Graphite iron (Ductile) casting.
More popularly known as SG iron.
The standard specification is BS EN 1563 released in the year 1997.
Chemical composition and hardness left to the discretion of the foundry if not specified by the purchaser.
Tensile 400 N/mm2
Elongation 15 %
0.2 % proof stress 250 N/mm2
Indian equivalent is IS 1865: 1991 grade SG 400/15"

My question for Herr Wagner (Lupo911) is whether he is casting with the same or better alloy.

GGG40 is not a good choice for High Temperature Exhaust Manifolds, it will crack faster then you can change the Manifold.

We are using on our Manifolds EN-GJSA-XNiSiCr35-5-2 (short D5-s). It is Nickel based, which makes it very expensive these Days. The Material is also not easy to Cast, there are not many Companys around the Globe, who can work with that Material, thats for sure.

by the Way, my Name is Carsten

Thanks

[BRY]

Somebody is running one

[Jamo]

Somebody is running one

He was until he replaced it with a Wagner RS2 evo manifold

[Bram]

I never ran the XS-power cast manifold. I saw it in my hands and decided right away to re-sell it again
Afterwards I bought a STR cast manifold (for my RS2 turbo), it was also made of Ductile material, but since I was not sure if it would fully fullfill the GT3071R needs I choose the Wagner. Also because the material of the Wagner seemed to be much longer lasting in the end, I choose the Wagner Cast EM.

[Billman]

I've got one of the replica manifolds, what I can tell you so far is that the quality of the external casting is very good, the internals left a lot to be desired and took a couple of hours work with a die grinder to clean up. The machining looks OK, the only thing that concerns me is what material they are made of, I guess the only way to check this is to fit it and see. I've already put it through a couple of heat cycles in the oven and it's not warped or cracked yet. I'm planning on fitting it to my S4 when I get time, I'll update you then. Just for reference mine is from XS Power in the USA.

Hi,

if you send me a small piece i maybe able to find someone to check it out for us and see what material it is.