Manifold install

[Corndogler]

I have a Manifold sitting in a box and am ready to install it, but I am thinking I'll take it to a shop. I am wondering if anyone else has had a manifold professionally installed and what it cost them and how long it took. The quote I have right now is 65 dollars an hour and that it will probably take at least 6 hours. At around 400, that's almost getting up to the price of the part. Anyone have one installed for a worthwhile price? Thanks

[djuosnteisn]

A 14mm ratcheting wrench will probably be cheaper.


And depending on which exh mani you have, average install time is around 3 hours. I can do it in 2, but i've done it way too many times.

[Corndogler]

You don't live in Utah by chance? 2 hours eh? That's pretty impressive. My problem is that whenever I get told that an install will take an hour in a right up, it ends up taking 3. Call me slow at installs if you'd like, but it doesn't change anything for me. The manifold i have is the protege garage one. Do you think a shop could do it in around 3 hours? The shop called Mazda and the dealer told them it took them 9 hours first time. I wouldn't believe the 9 hours if it weren't a dealer. Let me know, and thanks for the response.


Wow, I can't believe I wrote right up... *write up

[DSIT995]

Well I didnt take it to a shop to do it, I did it myself. I think 400 is a little steep for that install. You should do it yourself. idk what tools u have but the biggest pain is getting the old one off

Im sure the guys on here can help u threw it (Like they did for me!) save urself some $$$!

If u decide to DIY Ill take a picture and give a list of all the tools I used to complete so ur not making trips out for tools like I did

[Corndogler]

Thank you much DSIT, I'll let you know if I do decide to do it myself; that's kind.

[djuosnteisn]

Seriously, you can do it yourself. Just need this in 14mm:


And some of this won't hurt:



And just ask questions on this thread and i can help you out.

There's just a few bolts that are a bit tricky to get to, but for the most part, this install is real straight forward.

[wankular]

It took the dealer 9 hours?!?

[Corndogler]

Thanks for the pictures. I'll look into doing this myself more when I get off work. After this, it's time for a protune from Cobb and then I think I'll call it done for a while... At least until CP-E comes out with their side mounts.

Wankular, yeah, that's what they said. Claimed it took them 9 hours their first try at it, after that it was around 6 and a half.

[wankular]

"I wouldn't believe the 9 hours if it weren't a dealer"

I think the opposite is true, I don't believe much of anything the dealer says.

[DSIT995]

and a flex head 14mm ratchet wrench makes it even easier. There is a couple nuts that a hard to reach

[MS6_Auburn_Fan]

Originally Posted by wankular It took the dealer 9 hours?!?

Using the rule of 3 it probably took that long. Actual 3 hours. Charged 9 hours.

[Corndogler]

Originally Posted by wankular "I wouldn't believe the 9 hours if it weren't a dealer" I think the opposite is true, I don't believe much of anything the dealer says.

That's essentially what I'm getting at. I'm blaming incompetence.

[djuosnteisn]

Then don't be incompetent, and do it yourself!

[Corndogler]

Ayo! Do you have a link to a good write up? The one I found on here has broken links for all the pictures.

[DSIT995]

Im no djuosnteisn and if I did it again it would probably take me 3-4hrs, but more importantly if there is a problem and I need to take it off or changed something Im not relying on someone else to do it for me. I know how to do the work and the more u know about ur car the better!

Originally Posted by Corndogler Ayo! Do you have a link to a good write up? The one I found on here has broken links for all the pictures.

yeah another member LEX (along w/ others!) gave me some good advice:


A Ex-Mani removal question?

[djuosnteisn]

Dsit is now a pro, and can definitely help you out!

[SSinstaller]

$400 will buy you a ton of tools.

Just give yourself a weekend to get it accomplished... Hell you could buy all the tools you need and rent another to drive during the downtime for less than $400...

[Jarods7920]

Ya its a realtivly easy install man just wear mechanics gloves cause your hands will get torn up pretty good. I had trouble with one of the nuts comming off the turbo so i had to weld the nut back on to get it off but it was no big deal, i dont think that is a typical case though. Patience is your friend.

[Fagwagon]

DONT BE AFRAID

[superskaterxes]

lol ive taken my mani off so many times ive got it down to 35 mins with air tools. that includes an ewg, hot pipe and strut tower bar haha.

[bykeryder4life]

I had a local exhaust shop help me, me and this guy I know there who has no MS3 experience had it done in like 2 hrs. lift, air tools, and wobble sockets are win. Id say DIY its not bad just be patient

[Grim]

its really not the hard once you look at it.took me about 1 1/2 hours to do it.do it when the car is a little warm,makes it alot easier.

[KostasCX-7]

One off topic question. Is it usefull to use an exhaust wrap in order to cover the pg manifold? Because the OEM heat shields are cancelled.

[DSIT995]

I asked Ken if I should wrap mine mani and he said it wasnt needed. I think u might run into problems w/ them cracking, cuz of too much heat

[austin102085]

never go with what the dealer says. they told me to replace the turbo coolant line they would charge 15 hours to do cause they had to drop the engine. i no shit did it in 1 hour with 1 15 mmwrench.(no engine droping) fuck the dealer do it yourself its cheaper and the self satisfaction and knowledge is priceless.

[Snyeed]

Where do you live at in Utah? I have a few friends that have done a mani install, for a lot cheaper they could get it done for you.

[speedms6]

do it yourself, i have never done it but the good thing about the manifold is, from what i can tell from looking at it, its just straight bolt om, no fluids or electrical to deal with. might as well give it a shot yourself.

[KRNAGE]

i also needed a 13mm to remove a brace holding some lines.

otherwise extended 14mm's and patients. it did take me a while but thats cos I didnt have all the tools and needed to head out and pick some more up (extra long 14mm)
only had car up on stands, with hoist it would be much easier

heres the tools i ended up using. O2 socket was the most expensive tool but I did downpipe at the same time

[OMGWTFHAX]

Originally Posted by Corndogler I have a Manifold sitting in a box and am ready to install it, but I am thinking I'll take it to a shop. I am wondering if anyone else has had a manifold professionally installed and what it cost them and how long it took. The quote I have right now is 65 dollars an hour and that it will probably take at least 6 hours. At around 400, that's almost getting up to the price of the part. Anyone have one installed for a worthwhile price? Thanks

Hey if you havent already done this, you can come up to Layton. I can take you on base where we have access to a full garage with lifts and every tool you can imagine.

Its like $3/hr to rent a bay. Ill give you a hand with it too as Ive been wanting to see how hard the install will be to determine if Ill ever do this in the future. All I ask in return is a 6pack.

Let me know.

Also to all Utah MSF.org members: http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/foru...or-utah-47354/