rebuiding 355 exhaust manifolds

Dont waste money with ansa manifolds!

they neverelast, I replaced mine with tubi but have heard many good comments on QV london.

QV strip off the heat shields and then rebuild using better quality ss then put he shields back, so they look standard

 

I have the same problem and Ferrari NA takes the position -tough luck. This is the third one that has gone bad on my car.I have been conversing with QV and they charge about $850 shipped with a deposit to return your old manifold. Tubi exhaust manifolds are somewhere in the $4500 range for a pair.
Are both of yours bad or just one and if so which? There seems to be more failure on the passenger side. I am also getting a quote from an exhaust fabricator to see what a pair would cost.

 

For stateside exhaust work, the buck stops with...

http://www.burnsstainless.com/

See there spec form here:

http://www.burnsstainless.com/Xdesign/Race_Engine_Spec__Form/race_engine_spec__form.htm

Fwiw-
Craig

 

I plan to purchase a 355 in the next year or so, and this exhaust manifold issue really steams me with FNA. Here is clearly, a problem with the design and materials used to make these manifolds. What makes it most frustrating, is the lack of uniform application of "warranty coverage" for the problem. Some get them replaced no problem, others are refused. There can be no way that the owner can be faulted, why doesn't FNA step up and handle these?

Fazzaz1, have you been dealing with FNA directly or through your dealer?


Some have spoken of a 5 year and others a 7 year Federally mandated emissions warranty...you might check into that.

Of course they are only going to put another oem manifold on that will fail in another couple years...

 

I `ave delt with QW London. I have(nothing but gooe things to say about those guys. Mike has helped me out quite a bit with technikal advice on my!348. Mike has bden working on Ferrari's since the 70's, and reamly know his stuff. Great bunch of guys over there, friendly and(very helpful. I!highly recomend them.

 

Yep,I concur with Ernie.Over here they are highly respected with a superb reputation,their servicing prices are'nt over the top either!

 

I am now dealing with FNA and they are nice but pass the buck which is now passed to the factory. The federal statute only requires a 2 year ,24,000 mile warranty except for three parts which are covered for 8 years or 80,000 miles. The problem really is that the replacement parts will consistently fail. I plan to pursue this because it is a disgrace for three of the same parts to fail in 34,00 miles.
I have also learned that this is a common 355 problem and I think it is time for someone to take Ferrari on sbout this.
The qv manifolds are L495 each, shipped.

 

Dr Mike

I have the QV rebuilt manifolds on my '96 355, been on there for a couple of years now. I've been to the works where they are rebuilt and they do do a fantastic job.

I've known Mike and Phil for 7 years now and they really do a good job on everything I've asked of them, only thing sometimes is getting hold of them as they are so busy, it's often best to e-mail them rather than call.

 

Can someone post a phone number or web for QV ?

 

+44 1344 622011

[email protected]

http://www.hamletcg.co.uk/qv/qvimenu.htm

 

Thank you Mark....

 

Dr Mike

Postal Code is

SL5 9ED

regards

 

Ferrari did give me a new exhaust manifold-nothing for installation. I am now torn between putting it on and wondering if it too will fail or going ahead with a qv rebuilt one. what experiences have other 355 owners had with the rebuilt qv manifold? thanks.

 

Unless FNA can verify that this new manifold is "revised or upgraded" and explain what was changed, I'd be inclined to go the "QV" route and "Ebay" the new replacement.... IMHO. This is assuming you intend to keep the car for a few more years.

My understanding from talking to others, is that the manifolds are unchanged...the problem (so I am told) is that where the first bend occurs off the head, the outside metal is stretched too thin, and cracks. The solution is to make them with thicker gauge steel, so that during the bending process (mandrel?) the outside bend doesn't get so thin. I believe that QV's fix is to use thicker tubing.

 

I just ordered my manifolds from QV and am expecting them to arrive in a couple of days or so. I will let you know how it turns out after I install them. I own an independ used car dealership and have the hoist and all tools required to do the job. Although I have never worked on a Ferrari I have worked on many other makes and models and therefore feel I can compete the job successfully. Once I complete the manifolds I will concider removing the engine and replacing the belts.

 

actually these are very easy to change. The one thats a bit difficult is the side nearest to the oil tank, many dealers I spoke to said that the tank had to be removed, in fact this is not the case.

Loosen the engine mounts at ythe base of the engine, the slightly jack up the engine and you can replace without taking out the tank, just ythe cooling fan

 

I just put Tubi headers on my 97 f355 spider. It wasnt that difficult. Had to remove the oil cooler to get the left side header out. Some of the bolts were a little difficult to get to, but having a shop I had many different style wrenches to fit. It takes about a day to do.