Moparts
Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body??
Posted By: vette1986
Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/20/13 06:08 PM
Hello,
I am checking to gauge the interest of making a recast run of A body M code exhaust manifolds for A body darts and cudas. If you guys are familiar with these you know how hard the driver's side manifold is to get and we are checking interest to see how many people would be interested in getting a recast driver's side manifold to see if it would even be feasible to make the tooling for a small run of 10 or so. It would be recast from a low low miles original I have. Please let me know if anyone has any interest in one as the price point would be in the $1200 range. Thanks
Posted By: kidmopar
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/20/13 06:30 PM
How about the "Max Wedge" Tri-Y manifolds?
Posted By: A12
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/20/13 06:36 PM
I'd be interested in one for my M-Code Dart....$1200
but what to do?
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/20/13 06:45 PM
Would making a bigger run bring down the cost ?
Posted By: vette1986
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/20/13 06:49 PM
Quote:
Would making a bigger run bring down the cost ?
yeah it would but I do not know if there would be enough demand. The more they could sell the cheaper they could be.
Posted By: hemi71x
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/20/13 07:14 PM
How about the "Max Wedge" Tri-Y manifolds?
Scott Smith, here on Moparts, once thought about getting those repoped.
But he needed a set to have the patterns made off of.
Nobody came forward with a pair to have copied.
Too rare of an item to find.
Not enough of a demand to justify the cost in getting them repoped.
At one time, i owned just the left side of one of those Tri Y manifold sets.
Posted By: viperakron
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/20/13 07:21 PM
I need a drivers side. That price is a third of what I've found for sale!
.
Posted By: HPMike
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/20/13 07:53 PM
Quote:
How about the "Max Wedge" Tri-Y manifolds?
Scott Smith, here on Moparts, once thought about getting those repoped.
But he needed a set to have the patterns made off of.
Nobody came forward with a pair to have copied.
Too rare of an item to find.
Not enough of a demand to justify the cost in getting them repoped.
At one time, i owned just the left side of one of those Tri Y manifold sets.
AS cool as those were, I just cant see enough of a demand to make them.
MB
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/20/13 08:11 PM
Quote:
Quote:
Would making a bigger run bring down the cost ?
yeah it would but I do not know if there would be enough demand. The more they could sell the cheaper they could be.
I think you could sell more than 10 ? How many would it take to get the price down to say $750 ?
Posted By: vette1986
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/20/13 08:18 PM
Quote:
Quote:
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Would making a bigger run bring down the cost ?
yeah it would but I do not know if there would be enough demand. The more they could sell the cheaper they could be.
I think you could sell more than 10 ? How many would it take to get the price down to say $750 ?
from what I was told they might not go that low as the casting and finishing cost alone is close to $600 as they are such a hard design. The bonus on them is that the insides are actual cleaned out by hand which allows them to get the manifold to flow better than the original did, they will still flow badly as the design is not good but they should flow a little better. I am not the one doing the run they are just using my core but I would say they will probably have to keep them up close to $1000 but if there was enough demand who knows as it is the tooling cost he needs to offset and that is not cheap!!
Posted By: viperakron
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/20/13 08:27 PM
Looking in the past this was done for street hemi and max wedge manifolds. The quality was better than OEM and the price became afforable. Only issue with some purists was the casting dates. If I'm correct there is only one casting date for the M code and it was in late 1968, so every one of these should be correct?
Posted By: vette1986
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/20/13 08:51 PM
Quote:
Looking in the past this was done for street hemi and max wedge manifolds. The quality was better than OEM and the price became afforable. Only issue with some purists was the casting dates. If I'm correct there is only one casting date for the M code and it was in late 1968, so every one of these should be correct?
yeah the casting date on mine is 12-10-68 for the core
Posted By: viperakron
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/20/13 09:32 PM
Then lets see who is in and get a count. Maybe send a deposit for a place in line?
Posted By: scatpacktom
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/20/13 10:31 PM
What is the time frame? I could be in for one.
Posted By: vette1986
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/20/13 10:42 PM
Quote:
Then lets see who is in and get a count. Maybe send a deposit for a place in line?
If anyone is interested pm me and I will let the person know who is doing the recast. I am not sure of the timeframe but it would be soon as I would send my core and he said he just needed that for a couple months so I would assume they would not be too far out. Thanks
Posted By: vette1986
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/20/13 11:54 PM
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Then lets see who is in and get a count. Maybe send a deposit for a place in line?
If anyone is interested pm me and I will let the person know who is doing the recast. I am not sure of the timeframe but it would be soon as I would send my core and he said he just needed that for a couple months so I would assume they would not be too far out. Thanks
I just got in touch with the person looking to do the run and it looks like we need to get at least 12 manifolds spoken for with a deposit to make sure the person is a serious buyer to be able to tool up for the run. I think there are enough guys out there that are minus their manifolds and don't want to shell out the $3-$4K for an original manifold even if you can find one. The time frame would depend on the vendor and it would be in their hands on how fast they can get them done but it should not be a real long process but I just don't want to make promises we can not have control over but it should be in the months range if all goes well.
Posted By: scatpacktom
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/21/13 12:07 AM
With all due respect,I'm not sure I'd be comfortable sending a deposit on something that hasn't even been made yet or even attempted to be made. I sure would want to eye ball anything that cost me 1200 bucks. I took a drivers side A body manifold to my local foundry a few years ago... And they told me how complicated it would be to make. The outside isn't the problem it's the inside...and that is pretty important to me.
That said, I could be interested if I could see one.
Posted By: viperakron
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/21/13 02:33 AM
No business man is going to make these on the whim of potential sales. Hell they only made 1000 cars, it's not a chevy item. All interested need to be comfortable with the vendor and commit to the final product. IE do it on a credit card with protection for non delivery. It's a unique item, not a mass production piece available somewhere else. If working with people on the "inside" makes your car more valueable for a fraction of the cost of availble parts, I guess I'd say do some research. If you wait for them to show up at Year One I doubt it will happen.
Posted By: ScottSmith_Harms
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/21/13 02:55 AM
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How about the "Max Wedge" Tri-Y manifolds?
Scott Smith, here on Moparts, once thought about getting those repoped.
But he needed a set to have the patterns made off of.
Nobody came forward with a pair to have copied.
Too rare of an item to find.
Not enough of a demand to justify the cost in getting them repoped.
At one time, i owned just the left side of one of those Tri Y manifold sets.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AS cool as those were, I just cant see enough of a demand to make them.
MB
Either way, if I could get a set loaned to me I'd get them made anyway 
Posted By: 6bblgt
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/21/13 03:12 AM
No casting/pricing experience & no M-code A-body in this fight, but there are a number of reproduction exhaust manifolds made for the collector car market (and I understand the much larger quantity of the others brings their price lower).
Initially the need for 10 buyers was mentioned, $1200 each (& recently the $600 cast & finish cost per piece) and I believe & understand there is profit in there for whomever is partaking/funding the venture.
So where is the total price coming from? It doesn't take many more pieces to get it below $1000 each.
$12K total $3,000 tooling & $9,000 (10 X $900) = $1200 each
$12K total $4,500 tooling & $7,500 (10 X $750) = $1200 each
$12K total $6,000 tooling & $6,000 (10 X $600) = $1200 each
$21K total $3,000 tooling & $18,000 (20 X $900) = $1050 each
$19.5K total $4,500 tooling & $15,000 (20 X $750) = $975 each
$18K total $6,000 tooling & $12,000 (20 X $600) = $900 each
$39K total $3,000 tooling & $36,000 (40 X $900) = $975 each
$34.5K total $4,500 tooling & $30,000 (40 X $750) = $867.50 each
$30K total $6,000 tooling & $24,000 (40 X $600) = $750 each
If someone goes thru the motions to make this happen, inventory needs to sit on a shelf somewhere, if you find 10 buyers this month & produce these manifolds, is buyer number 11 that hears about this in May '13 S-O-L?
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/21/13 03:44 AM
Quote:
Hell they only made 1000 cars,
Less than that ... try 640
I'm with Tom , I wouldn't put a deposit on something that MIGHT be made , may take 2 years to make, and even then unless I had the option to not buy should I not like the finished product and get my deposit back.
Posted By: 6bblgt
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/21/13 04:05 AM
~640 of the '69 Dart M-code GTSs & ~340 of the 440 'Cudas
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/21/13 04:12 AM
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~640 of the '69 Dart M-code GTSs & ~340 of the 440 'Cudas
I forgot about the plymouths .
Posted By: Rhinodart
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/21/13 06:16 AM
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~640 of the '69 Dart M-code GTSs & ~340 of the 440 'Cudas
I forgot about the plymouths .
Everyone should... 
You know my feelings on it, I would be in for one for sure!
Posted By: davesmopars
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/21/13 02:51 PM
if they are made correct with all the stampings. they will sell for 1200.00
I sold a set for 4200 and I had at least 6 people in line to buy them. So at 1200.00 I would say you will sell 20 to 30 set at least. I had an M code Cuda. So being around other M code owners, they will sell.
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/21/13 03:08 PM
Quote:
if they are made correct with all the stampings. they will sell for 1200.00
I sold a set for 4200 and I had at least 6 people in line to buy them. So at 1200.00 I would say you will sell 20 to 30 set at least. I had an M code Cuda. So being around other M code owners, they will sell.
he is not making a pair , he is making the left only . At 1200 a PAIR I'd put up a 1200 deposit ...
Posted By: albert19
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/21/13 05:18 PM
The earliest run of M-code cars that were built was on Dec. 1, 1968. Was the casting dates on these exhaust manifold 12-10-68 or would they have been earlier? If others on this forum have or had these manifolds maybe they can check or recall the casting dates. I think this would be important to the purists to have the earliest possible casting date.
Posted By: Rhinodart
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/21/13 05:27 PM
I personally believe they should have no casting dates but should be made exactly to spec minus the dates.
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/21/13 07:09 PM
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I personally believe they should have no casting dates but should be made exactly to spec minus the dates.
, there should also be some identifier that is not easy undone so that mysteriously unfound pairs start showing up on ebay and such ...
Posted By: A12
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/21/13 07:53 PM
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Quote:
I personally believe they should have no casting dates but should be made exactly to spec minus the dates.
, there should also be some identifier that is not easy undone so that mysteriously unfound pairs start showing up on ebay and such ...
Excellent points 
Posted By: davesmopars
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/21/13 11:27 PM
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if they are made correct with all the stampings. they will sell for 1200.00
I sold a set for 4200 and I had at least 6 people in line to buy them. So at 1200.00 I would say you will sell 20 to 30 set at least. I had an M code Cuda. So being around other M code owners, they will sell.
he is not making a pair , he is making the left only . At 1200 a PAIR I'd put up a 1200 deposit ...
OK, It is still worth it. If it is made, I will buy one just to have it incase I end up with another M code.
it needs to be made like the originals (or close as possible) or don't make it at all.
Posted By: big-block-dave
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/22/13 05:49 PM
As I am the person running the M-'cuda ONLY registry I have had a few people in the past asking me to keep an eye out for 2017 manifolds.
If this goes somewhat forward I would give say 6 months to try to track down buyers.
Then a 15-20 or 20-30 part run should be done. It's a matter of who or how that much money could be fronted? Would the casting comp hold the extra ones not sold initially until buyers came forth?
If one person had the money to buy say 5-10 parts then he would have to make some amount of profit for his investment. So that makes the price higher for future buyers. Where if the casting comp held them the price would stay the same.
Has this comp re-cast exhaust manifolds before? If so then there should be sample parts out there that we can compare against originals to get an idea of their work/quality to help satisfy some concerns of the people on this post looking to buy.
Posted By: big-block-dave
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/22/13 06:03 PM
Just another thought to make the re-popped manifolds identifiable from originals would be to have the part# inverted so it is readable when on a car instead of up-side down? That would help future buyers to not get scammed for high dollars if someone represents a re-pop as on original.
There has to be some identifier, just leaving the date off isn't good enough as far as i'm concerned. Some of the original 2017's out there don't have readable dates on them.
Posted By: viperakron
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/22/13 09:30 PM
Doesn't look like too many are lining up with Cash to put them on the list. This is not going to be cheap for whoever commits to do this, if they do. Can only assume it's being proposed because they need one too. I certainly understand putting up a deposit on faith. Don't know what else to suggest other than a credit card for protection.
That being said and as Big Block Dave suggests, if a parts supplier steps up for a commitment to make it a go, profits are a natural and expected for the risk, prices will go up.
Posted By: TX9H6E4CUDA
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/22/13 10:15 PM
So wait
one minute people are on here complaining about how repo parts are not correct like the originals and the next minute you want them to be not correct like the originals
Make up your mind people
Posted By: hemi71x
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/22/13 10:28 PM
All you people that are wanting, needing, the Left side exhaust manifold, what are you going to do about the Right side manifold?
Will you be needing one of them also, to make a pair?
I don't understand what just a leftie is going to do, if you don't have a pair of them.
Is everyone going to have to find a right one then?
Posted By: viperakron
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/22/13 10:34 PM
Isn't the right side the same as a 383? If so they are much easier to find.
Posted By: Rhinodart
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/23/13 02:08 AM
I have several right side manifolds as the 383 lefts tended to crack and were replaced by headers.
Posted By: a12superbee
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/23/13 02:19 AM
Quote:
So wait
one minute people are on here complaining about how repo parts are not correct like the originals and the next minute you want them to be not correct like the originals
Make up your mind people
While I'm not lucky enough to own a 440 dart, this is a good point.
If it were me I would do the cast as exact as I could with small notches on the lower side of the port flange. That way they couldn't be seen while they were installed but identifiable while off the car and with a little effort discernable from underneath.
Posted By: mosweethemi
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/23/13 07:59 AM
Posted By: albert19
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/23/13 06:28 PM
The exhaust manifolds that you have for sale are for 1968 and 1969 383 cars. It is true that these manifolds will work on the 1969 440 M-code Dart/Barracudas but they are not the same. The drivers side 1969 440 exhaust manifold is a completely different beast.
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/23/13 08:24 PM
Quote:
So wait
one minute people are on here complaining about how repo parts are not correct like the originals and the next minute you want them to be not correct like the originals
Make up your mind people
I'm not complaining about the look of all parts.
But case in point , Max Wedge manifolds , someone repopped them and they were being passed off as originals. there was a way to tell but not everyone knew so many got taken to the cleaners thinking they were buying originals .
i have 2 prs. of 383 manifolds , I don't have an Mcode car but I'd like to have the manifold should I decide to drop a 440 in the car and go pure stock racing , but I want to see it FIRST so I'll wait and pay the premium if need be ...
Posted By: cudaman1969
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/24/13 02:52 AM
Mine has a 12-17-68 date, very easy to read, only 15 miles on them. I agree that no numbers should be put on it because it takes the originality away.You can always tell the repop from the original.Would there also be a copy write issue with Chrysler anyway.
Posted By: viperakron
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/24/13 03:32 AM
If it had no numbers on it why waste your time? Put a 383 manifold on instead.
Posted By: big-block-dave
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/24/13 04:58 AM
Quote:
All you people that are wanting, needing, the Left side exhaust manifold, what are you going to do about the Right side manifold?
Will you be needing one of them also, to make a pair?
I don't understand what just a leftie is going to do, if you don't have a pair of them.
Is everyone going to have to find a right one then?
The right side used a 383 manifold with a spacer, therefore the standard 383 head pipes were used on the 440's.
Posted By: davesmopars
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/24/13 05:20 PM
If you can guaranty they will be made as close to originals in writing we can talk. I will put up all the money and buy them all! People with these cars will only what them if they are made correct. If not I am out.
Posted By: hemi71x
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/24/13 08:53 PM
Quote:
If you can guaranty they will be made as close to originals in writing we can talk. I will put up all the money and buy them all! People with these cars will only what them if they are made correct. If not I am out.
I think you should take dletourneau up on that offer.
Sounds like an offer too good to turn down.
Posted By: JohnRR
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/25/13 04:05 PM
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Quote:
If you can guaranty they will be made as close to originals in writing we can talk. I will put up all the money and buy them all! People with these cars will only what them if they are made correct. If not I am out.
I think you should take dletourneau up on that offer.
Sounds like an offer too good to turn down.
Lets see buy the entire run and charge whatever one wants because I am now the source for them ...
Posted By: albert19
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/25/13 04:51 PM
Who ever makes these manifolds needs to guarantee the quality and the $1200 price otherwise don't even do the castings.
Posted By: Fury Fan
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/27/13 05:00 PM
Quote:
So wait
one minute people are on here complaining about how repo parts are not correct like the originals and the next minute you want them to be not correct like the originals
Make up your mind people
Because it's about the money, perceived value, and bragging rights about how tough the resto was to complete.
Holders of orig parts (some of whom have bought/hoarded orig manifolds in order to flip), now see their nestegg being cracked if new eggs are laid.
Personally, I hope it does get reprod, I don't think anybody should have to pay $2000+ for a factory manifold.
Posted By: serano
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/27/13 05:26 PM
I don't care if people have hoarded M code parts.And Frankly I hope they get their price for them.Why have a very desirable car if all you have is melted down toyota's molded into repo parts.Chryslers are the last hope for the repo guy's.All of us are getting to the age of not rebuilding these cars.The Ford and GM guy's can now sit down in front of their computer and order a complete car.Guess that is what you guy's want.I have always loved the hunt,not just for the parts but meeting a lot of great guy's,and a few .Either way you go-Good Luck with the endeavor.
Posted By: gonzomcode
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/29/13 04:15 PM
you can put us in for 3. we have 4 m code cars and 3 are missing the manifolds .Gonzo in CT
Posted By: dart4forte
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/31/13 06:44 PM
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Quote:
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Would making a bigger run bring down the cost ?
yeah it would but I do not know if there would be enough demand. The more they could sell the cheaper they could be.
I think you could sell more than 10 ? How many would it take to get the price down to say $750 ?
from what I was told they might not go that low as the casting and finishing cost alone is close to $600 as they are such a hard design. The bonus on them is that the insides are actual cleaned out by hand which allows them to get the manifold to flow better than the original did, they will still flow badly as the design is not good but they should flow a little better. I am not the one doing the run they are just using my core but I would say they will probably have to keep them up close to $1000 but if there was enough demand who knows as it is the tooling cost he needs to offset and that is not cheap!!
I actually have flow bench numbers that show the driver side A body manifold flows just as good as the B body driver side.
Posted By: dart4forte
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 03/31/13 06:49 PM
Quote:
The exhaust manifolds that you have for sale are for 1968 and 1969 383 cars. It is true that these manifolds will work on the 1969 440 M-code Dart/Barracudas but they are not the same. The drivers side 1969 440 exhaust manifold is a completely different beast.
Do we have a comparison pic? I've seen several M codes and the manifolds look the same. Maybe the Rhino can shed some light on this?
Posted By: 68mannix
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 04/01/13 03:30 AM
there only different in the hook around the steering coluum other then part numbers if nobody has a pic i can dig them out tommorow and take a pic side by side of a 729 and the 017
Posted By: vette1986
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 04/01/13 01:09 PM
Quote:
there only different in the hook around the steering coluum other then part numbers if nobody has a pic i can dig them out tommorow and take a pic side by side of a 729 and the 017
Posted By: Rhinodart
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 04/01/13 03:09 PM
Next time I run out to the old shop I can take a picture of the 729 and 017 next to each other.
Posted By: 68mannix
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 04/01/13 07:03 PM
pic 1
.JPG "7650192-emco(Copy).JPG")
Posted By: 68mannix
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 04/01/13 07:04 PM
pic 2
.JPG "7650194-emco1(Copy).JPG")
Posted By: Oneida Garage
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/24/14 06:11 PM
Digging up a semi-old thread here.
I'm interested in pairs only and would absolutely be up for 2-3 pair if they are nice. Price is a secondary concern as original pieces have become virtually non-exisitent.
Sending PM now...
Posted By: viperakron
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/25/14 01:45 AM
Looks like the casting costs for this project turned out to be exorbitant. Never came to be. There are only so many of these cars left, so market is limited. Unlike Max Wedge or Hemi cars no one wants to put M code manifolds on a clone, they are worthless for performance.
I'd like to have a drivers side to go with my car when I sell. Maybe one of the speculators here will give one up? PM me. Until then, my free breathing C Body manifold serves me well.
Posted By: A12
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/25/14 05:06 AM
Quote:
Looks like the casting costs for this project turned out to be exorbitant. Never came to be. There are only so many of these cars left, so market is limited. Unlike Max Wedge or Hemi cars no one wants to put M code manifolds on a clone, they are worthless for performance.
I'd like to have a drivers side to go with my car when I sell. Maybe one of the speculators here will give one up? PM me. Until then, my free breathing C Body manifold serves me well.
Would that C-Body exhaust manifold happen to be this one 2883409 ?
Posted By: A12
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/25/14 05:08 AM
did I make a mistake with the part number and it's really 2863049?
Posted By: viperakron
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/25/14 05:09 AM
Yep looks like that one.
Posted By: A12
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/25/14 05:17 AM
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Yep looks like that one.
Then it sure does look like it flows better than the M-code stocker
Posted By: Commando1
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/25/14 03:58 PM
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Quote:
I personally believe they should have no casting dates but should be made exactly to spec minus the dates.
, there should also be some identifier that is not easy undone so that mysteriously unfound pairs start showing up on ebay and such ...
RE: The Mopar logo on the originals: I imagine the repops would not be allowed to have them.
But, that's all moot now, isn't it.............
Posted By: 62maxwgn
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/25/14 05:02 PM
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if they are made correct with all the stampings. they will sell for 1200.00
I sold a set for 4200 and I had at least 6 people in line to buy them. So at 1200.00 I would say you will sell 20 to 30 set at least. I had an M code Cuda. So being around other M code owners, they will sell.
he is not making a pair , he is making the left only . At 1200 a PAIR I'd put up a 1200 deposit ...
John,if done how long do you think they would stay at $1200 ? I thing the Max Wedge started around $750,check the price now !!
Posted By: 6PakBee
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/25/14 05:37 PM
I don't have an M code anything (except my Superbee
) but if I did I'd be all over this like a starving man on a loaf of bread. Deposits on parts not made are investments. And like any investment there is a risk. Most of the time you win, some of the time you lose. If I needed the manifold and it required a $600 deposit with another $600 at delivery, all I'd say is "who do I make the check out to?". IMHO it's worth the gamble. As to the look of the repop, make it look as exact as possible. On the back, non-visible, side of the manifold cast some identifier that shows it as a repop. That way on the car it looks original, in your hands you can tell it isn't. None of this is difficult, just costly.
Posted By: Rhinodart
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/26/14 12:12 AM
100%
Posted By: viperakron
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/26/14 01:35 AM
If the cost went from 1200 per manifold to 6500 would you be all over it? Casting went from 6500 to 25000 due to intricacy of the lower section on these pinched manifolds. Went from a simple sand cast to a complicated aluminum fill. Sand cast would of cracked under any stress. So the math doesn't make it practical.
Quote:
I don't have an M code anything (except my Superbee ) but if I did I'd be all over this like a starving man on a loaf of bread. Deposits on parts not made are investments. And like any investment there is a risk. Most of the time you win, some of the time you lose. If I needed the manifold and it required a $600 deposit with another $600 at delivery, all I'd say is "who do I make the check out to?". IMHO it's worth the gamble. As to the look of the repop, make it look as exact as possible. On the back, non-visible, side of the manifold cast some identifier that shows it as a repop. That way on the car it looks original, in your hands you can tell it isn't. None of this is difficult, just costly.
Posted By: 6PakBee
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/26/14 02:40 AM
Quote:
If the cost went from 1200 per manifold to 6500 would you be all over it? Casting went from 6500 to 25000 due to intricacy of the lower section on these pinched manifolds. Went from a simple sand cast to a complicated aluminum fill. Sand cast would of cracked under any stress. So the math doesn't make it practical.
Quote:
I don't have an M code anything (except my Superbee ) but if I did I'd be all over this like a starving man on a loaf of bread. Deposits on parts not made are investments. And like any investment there is a risk. Most of the time you win, some of the time you lose. If I needed the manifold and it required a $600 deposit with another $600 at delivery, all I'd say is "who do I make the check out to?". IMHO it's worth the gamble. As to the look of the repop, make it look as exact as possible. On the back, non-visible, side of the manifold cast some identifier that shows it as a repop. That way on the car it looks original, in your hands you can tell it isn't. None of this is difficult, just costly.
Not to appear pissy here, but I'll repeat myself. At $1200 for the manifold:
1) I'd want one
2) I'd be willing to take a chance on it coming together
I think what you are trying to ask is "If you put your $600 down and then found out the finished product was going to be $6500, would you stay in the game and be willing to pay another $5900?" Answer: Probably not.
I'll ask your next question for you, "Would you try to get your $600 deposit back?". Of course I would try. If however it had been spent to discover the new price was now $6500, well, like I said before, sometimes investments pay off, sometimes they don't. You just have to put on your big boy pants and move on.
Posted By: Oneida Garage
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/27/14 08:40 AM
I've got a background in design and contract manufacturing - over 20 yrs. I've also got a pretty good handle on this market, and I think that selling 20 - 25 sets is doable as a break-even proposition, which is what I am willing to do.
Cost is a secondary concern (within reason), and it doesn't matter what they flow. The only thing that matters is that they are as identical to the original pieces as conceivably possible, numbers and all. I've spoken with the Chrysler's licensing subcontractor on several occasions, and let's just say I'm not too worried about that detail, not on a handful of manifolds.
What I do not know is:
A) Where to get a pair to copy
B) Where to turn for quality cast iron pieces domestically. This is a disappearing industry stateside, and the number of places willing to take on a charity case like this is miniscule. I do have extensive Asian connections due to my other line of work, but I refuse to pursue that direction on a vintage American automobile part. Would anyone like to pass along the name of the foundry doing the Max Wedge and Hemi manifolds?
I figure it can't hurt to pursue this a bit, whether it has been done before on not. I can't count the number of doors slammed on me over the years, it's nothing new. I'm not afraid to try... nothing ventured, nothing gained. If you can help with a good set to loan or sell, or have info on a quality, sympathetic foundry, give me a shout. Thanks.
Posted By: Rhinodart
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/27/14 05:14 PM
I would be willing to dig up a set if someone is truly serious about making them. It would have to be an iron-clad deal with accountability of the originals all the way through the process so they don't get "lost" and the original returned to the owner as soon as humanly possible.
Posted By: davesmopars
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/27/14 05:15 PM
I looked into making 017 driver side very seriously.
Found two places that do this stuff. "USA MADE" I was going to make 20 of them. They were going to be 100% correct with numbers and dates. The price was going to be around 1800.00. The reason they are so much is the bend around the steering column, not easily done and time consuming. It's not the 20 that is a lot of money, it's the R&D for one. They make one and they give you one change get them correct, then you start paying more. The problem is, When it is all set looks great you start testing them, how long do you test for? OK you are all done testing. What If you start having an issue with them after they are out, like cracking. What you do? Thats a lot of money to redo or get a bad name. I Love to go them. Just a big risk for 20 parts.
Posted By: Oneida Garage
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/27/14 05:45 PM
Many thanks for the replies.
The complexity of the casting itself is not lost on me.
Financially speaking, I see this as a high-risk, zero-reward proposition. My eyes are wide open on that one.
But simply, as far as the cars are concerned, I think this is something that needs to be done. Were I the lucky owner of a brand-new '69 M-code dart, I'd have thrown those manifolds in the dumpster immediately, like most everyone else did.
Posted By: drgordi
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/28/14 10:56 AM
Good thing I don't have to look for a set, mine still has the originals. By the time this is all said and done there will be more M CODE cars than the factory made. Mine are for sale and also come with the car $30,000 and you don't have to do any r&d to use them. Just my thought on this it should be like getting a fender tag made unless you have documentation of ownership then you can't get an exact copy, just a reproduction without part numbers.
Posted By: Fury Fan
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/28/14 03:06 PM
I worked with these guys in the past on a huge/complex aluminum transmission casting that was almost as big as a Fiat 500.
http://www.deltaresearch.com/They are not cheap, but they will do small-run stuff. They work with a small pattern shop (their name escapes me), who worked with a company that 3D-prints the casting cores, and then sent it all to the foundry, then Delta machined everything afterward. 4 companies involved in the final bill, but there are benefits in this particular chain.
The pattern shop had software to model the thermodynamics of the foundry pour process against the cores, cope & drag, This is not so much to accurately capture the part’s geometry, but more to ensure that there is good metal flow throughout with no cold spots, knit lines, etc -- which minimizes the # of practice pieces. Based on the pics of this manifold, even though complex to us, it’s a fairly simple part – I’d be surprised if it took more than 2 practice pours (and the 2nd one would probably be usable). And when it’s all finalized, they get more 3D-printed cores and knock them out pretty easily. Cost benefits of the high-tech process will be realized in getting thru the initial R&D pieces with less waste, production run pieces might be a bit cheaper, and you could flip the switch and get another batch 5 years from now that would be identical.
So if you guys are serious, put your research and investor hats back on, and get somebody to offer up OEM pieces to get laser-scanned into a 3D model.
But be aware – the 3D cores have a nice surface finish, and these manifolds will look *much* better than the originals.
Posted By: Commando1
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/28/14 03:20 PM
When will they come out with 3D printers that print in aluminum?
Posted By: Fury Fan
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/28/14 03:27 PM
They are probably already here but limited to deep-pockets R&D/prototype companies. I've seen stuff made out of sintered metal that was 3D-printed.
They guy that is successful at printing a good B-block EFI manifold for the stroker guys will probably see a nice ROI.
BTW Commando - there's a $21,000 66 300 on ebay you should look at, saw it last nite. Thought it was a dreamer-open/no-bid thing, but no, people have pushed the bids that high. Might be the one for ya.
Posted By: toplescuda
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/28/14 03:56 PM
Would 3d printing be helpfull in making molds for this? heck they can make a gun with it and it works
Posted By: Rhinodart
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/28/14 05:05 PM
Quote:
Good thing I don't have to look for a set, mine still has the originals. By the time this is all said and done there will be more M CODE cars than the factory made. Mine are for sale and also come with the car $30,000 and you don't have to do any r&d to use them. Just my thought on this it should be like getting a fender tag made unless you have documentation of ownership then you can't get an exact copy, just a reproduction without part numbers.
I don't think anyone would clone a 440 A-Body around $1200 exhaust manifolds! 
Besides, there were 640 Darts made and very few have been found intact, so there must be plenty out there left to be restored!
Posted By: Oneida Garage
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/29/14 06:48 AM
Thank you Fury Fan. I will look into the resource you suggested... Much appreciated.
Posted By: Fury Fan
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 01/29/14 03:03 PM
Quote:
Would 3d printing be helpfull in making molds for this? heck they can make a gun with it and it works
Yeah, it probably would be helpful for making the part to form the molding sand around for the cope and drag (for those wondering, those are the 2 molds that form the outer surfaces of the part). The printing I mentioned earlier was for the cores, so they actually need to be a special printable sand that doesn't melt when the alum or iron is poured in.
Posted By: cudaman1969
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 02/20/14 01:01 AM
Quote:
Many thanks for the replies.
The complexity of the casting itself is not lost on me.
Financially speaking, I see this as a high-risk, zero-reward proposition. My eyes are wide open on that one.
But simply, as far as the cars are concerned, I think this is something that needs to be done. Were I the lucky owner of a brand-new '69 M-code dart, I'd have thrown those manifolds in the dumpster immediately, like most everyone else did.
My set were taken of after 13 miles, put on a shelf till i bought them,still factory fresh and so glad he saved them. I'm standing on the fence on this issue because the manifold is one of the items that define an M-code unlike taillights, grills,etc. Will it degrade the real cars? Who's to say. Accurate ex. made some C-body manifolds for this car in place of original, i'm thinking of doing this and have the real one in the trunk,scared of cracking it. I plan on driving mine.
Posted By: Rhinodart
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 02/20/14 02:01 AM
I still have an Accurate manifold that I will use on my M-Code if I can never find an original.
Posted By: shanker
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 02/20/14 08:16 PM
The only way to get this to work, would be with the people who are target "consumers" to become "Investors"...that way the risk is shared as well as the reward.
If 2 years down the line and some of the castings start to crack or have any problems, the "Investors" realized that going into an investment to get correct manifolds for their cars and could contact the manufacturer (company that casted) them directly, or take them to a machine shop and repair them on their own dime.
Posted By: Rhinodart
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 09/03/14 09:01 PM
Bringing this back up again as I just got an email from a man who wants to make them for sure! Need to really find out who is really serious.
Posted By: blewbyu
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 09/05/14 01:26 PM
Quote:
Bringing this back up again as I just got an email from a man who wants to make them for sure! Need to really find out who is really serious.
Do you know a cost yet?
Posted By: 68mannix
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 09/05/14 10:59 PM
Didnt you just by a set for around 1800?
Posted By: blewbyu
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 09/06/14 12:00 AM
Quote:
Didnt you just by a set for around 1800?
Hell yes I did, am I not allowed to ask? 
Posted By: 68mannix
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 09/06/14 06:58 AM
where does it say you cant ask?i just asked a question of my own
Posted By: cudaman1969
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 09/06/14 04:01 PM
I hope they come in at 5 thousand a set. If you wanna play...pay!
Posted By: viperakron
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 09/06/14 05:02 PM
Been looking for a 3462017 for two years. Interested if price is cheaper than hoarders prices.
Posted By: big-block-dave
Re: Interest in M code exhaust manifold A body?? - 09/18/14 06:28 PM
Quote:
I hope they come in at 5 thousand a set. If you wanna play...pay!
I totally agree!!!!!!!!!!
