Exhaust manifold/header: a mysterious and important auto accessory

Among the many parts of the car, there is a seemingly insignificant but actually crucial part, which connects the engine intake manifold and the cylinder head of the pipe, plays the role of directing and distributing air flow. It is the manifold/header.

What is the manifold/header?

A manifold/header is a pipe element used for connecting and diverting pipes. In the automotive engine system, the manifold/header is mainly used in the intake and exhaust systems, responsible for introducing and exporting air or exhaust gas into the cylinder.

Generally, the manifold/header is made of metal materials, such as stainless steel, aluminum alloy, etc., and has a curved shape in order to allow the airflow to flow smoothly and reduce fluid loss. Parameters such as the length, bend angle and inner diameter of the manifold/header will directly affect the performance and combustion efficiency of the engine, so precise calculations and adjustments need to be made according to the design requirements of the engine.

What is a manifold/header used for?

The role of the manifold/header in the car cannot be ignored.

First, it acts as a diversion device to distribute air intake to different blocks, ensuring that each block has a sufficient supply of gas to improve engine combustion efficiency and power output.

Secondly, it can also improve the flow performance of the air flow, reduce the resistance of the air flow, and improve the air intake efficiency, thereby increasing the power and torque of the engine.

Finally, due to the special structural design, the manifold/header can also play a role in noise reduction, effectively reducing engine noise. In addition, due to its good thermal conductivity, it can also quickly export the heat of the engine to avoid overheating.

Manifold/header material differences

Different car manufacturers and engine models may choose different manifolds/headers. Common materials include stainless steel and aluminum alloy. Stainless steel has good corrosion resistance and high temperature properties, suitable for high-performance engines. Aluminum alloy is lighter, can effectively reduce the weight of the vehicle, improve fuel economy.

There are also some manifolds/headers made of plastic materials. Although they are easy to deform and have poor high temperature resistance, they are lightweight and have strong anti-corrosion properties, so they are mostly used in air intake systems.

What surface treatments are available on the manifold/header?

In order to improve the performance and service life of the manifold/header, surface treatment is required. Common surface treatment methods are as follows:

1. Galvanizing

Galvanizing is a common anti-corrosion treatment method. Plating a layer of zinc on the surface of the manifold/header can effectively improve its anti-corrosion performance. At the same time, galvanizing can also improve the hardness of the manifold/header and enhance its wear resistance.

2. Spray painting

Spray painting is to spray the paint evenly on the surface of the manifold/header, so that its surface forms a uniform coating. This can effectively improve the corrosion resistance and aging resistance of the manifold/header, while also improving its aesthetics.

3. Electroplating

Electroplating uses electrolysis to deposit metal ions on the surface of the manifold/header to form a metal film. This treatment improves the hardness and wear resistance of the manifold/header, while also enhancing its corrosion resistance.

4. Polishing

Polishing is the grinding and polishing of the manifold/header surface to make its surface smooth as a mirror. This can not only improve the aesthetics of the manifold/header, but also improve its corrosion resistance and aging resistance.

5. Brushing

Brushing is to form longitudinal scratches on the surface of the manifold/header to show a texture, which has a good effect on increasing the texture of the product and covering up defects such as scratches and fingerprints.

6. Baking ceramics

Baking ceramic is a treatment method that applies a specific ceramic material to the surface of the manifold/header and then performs high temperature baking, which can improve the high temperature resistance of the manifold/header, reduce thermal radiation, and improve the flow performance of the air flow.

In summary, the manifold/header as an important part of the car, its role and performance can not be ignored. For car enthusiasts, choosing the right manifold/header is one of the important factors to ensure engine performance and reliability. If you want to know more about auto parts, follow us, or browse our website directly for consultation.