Stainless Steel Manifold Hi-Tek Past Experience and recommendations?

Hi all...

Will give my Hi Tek purchase experience. Have ordered from Allen for my 8.1s Horizons on my 380DA Sea Ray...04. Have enjoyed the several conversations prior to and on the day of sale by phone. Conversed by email and sent pictures to him to insure that what was in stock was correct.

He called after I ordered to advise that he needed to fabricate new ones. Order was processed on Jan 30, 2013 and he said would take a couple of weeks. Follow up on February 8 he advised another 'week or so'. Have not heard anything since and have sent a follow up email today..the 22nd.

I am sure all is well as I have enjoyed our conversations but wanted to add to the forum dialogue. Will update status as occurs.
 
bjmck said:
Hi all...

Will give my Hi Tek purchase experience. Have ordered from Allen for my 8.1s Horizons on my 380DA Sea Ray...04. Have enjoyed the several conversations prior to and on the day of sale by phone. Conversed by email and sent pictures to him to insure that what was in stock was correct.

He called after I ordered to advise that he needed to fabricate new ones. Order was processed on Jan 30, 2013 and he said would take a couple of weeks. Follow up on February 8 he advised another 'week or so'. Have not heard anything since and have sent a follow up email today..the 22nd.

I have the same boat and engine combination, Allen supplied mine so he does have the specs. only issue that I had was that their remote oil filter mounts were not in the correct location, I had to have new hoses fabricated at a local shop, it wasn't a a big cost, I believe about $50.00 total. I gave him all of this information after my install so hopefully he made the corrections.
Click to expand...
 
Any one have any idea how many they have sold.
Sounds like a very small company based on the fact they custom make each one for what are standard engines.
When I needed maniford and risers my dealer had them in stock.
Am I missing something?
One would think they would do a a run for each engine type to reduce costs.
 
I have three sets... They don't stock them, each are made to order. They have made "many" for 454s and 350s. Less for 8.1s. I bought mine in '09. They are a good company, and stand by their products. There are some dissimilar metals issues which has caused me some problems. I solved them by using permatex on the gaskets. If you like to be different, like me, they may be a good choice for you...

northern said:
Any one have any idea how many they have sold.
Sounds like a very small company based on the fact they custom make each one for what are standard engines.
When I needed maniford and risers my dealer had them in stock.
Am I missing something?
One would think they would do a a run for each engine type to reduce costs.
Click to expand...
 
I have mine for alomost a year now with about 130+ hours on them. No problems yet (knowck on wood). I just replaced my zincs and they were about half eaten so I know they're doing their job. I do get less fuel burn but probably more to them weighing less than the OEM manifolds than anything else. We'll see in another few years as to how well they hold up. I had a good experiance with Allen as well.
 
Dasch ... have received the manifolds after having to travel extensively through the spring and summer. I believe I have a problem. They look good but the connections appear to be manufactured backwards. There is no side connection for the return raw water hose. It is on the opposite manifold! I have sent pics to Allen by email with additional engine pics that were originally sent. Can you explain the rerouting which you had to do? On the ones sent to me, there are other connections which appear unnecessary and/or missing.

Am awaiting to hear from him now.
 
Dasch ... on your hose rerouting ... did you run the hose which goes to the shaftlog and connect it to the opening (with a t connection) at the sensor fitting near the elbow, or did you make a t connection in the hose under the manifold? Mine did not have the inlet connection for the shaftlog in the manifold so I need to reroute.

Aesthetically, under the manifold would be better but I am not sure if there would be any pressure issues. Guess I could use a smaller fitting to control that?
 
bjmck said:
Dasch ... on your hose rerouting ... did you run the hose which goes to the shaftlog and connect it to the opening (with a t connection) at the sensor fitting near the elbow, or did you make a t connection in the hose under the manifold? Mine did not have the inlet connection for the shaftlog in the manifold so I need to reroute.

Aesthetically, under the manifold would be better but I am not sure if there would be any pressure issues. Guess I could use a smaller fitting to control that?
Click to expand...

my shaft RW take offf is not on my manifolds... It is "t'd" off before the water hits the manifold...
 
bjmck said:
Dasch ... on your hose rerouting ... did you run the hose which goes to the shaftlog and connect it to the opening (with a t connection) at the sensor fitting near the elbow, or did you make a t connection in the hose under the manifold? Mine did not have the inlet connection for the shaftlog in the manifold so I need to reroute.

Aesthetically, under the manifold would be better but I am not sure if there would be any pressure issues. Guess I could use a smaller fitting to control that?
Click to expand...

I didn't need to re-route any raw water or coolant hoses. I only had to replace one of the remote oil filter lines on each engine as the new mount location required a longer hose. I have nearly three full seasons on them and they are still working fine with (nock on wood) no issues, the bolts haven't even loosened.
 
Rcknecht, mine is the same. Will look for a 't' fitting to install below. Allen suggested putting the 't' at the sensor connection but am having trouble finding one. so I will 't' the existing hose below the manifold.

Dasch, thanks for the headsup on the other side. Will see what I need to do to stablize the oil bracket. Thanks guys.
 
bjmck said:
Rcknecht,




Dasch, thanks for the headsup on the other side. Will see what I need to do to stablize the oil bracket. Thanks guys.
Click to expand...
Mine came with a flat plate welded onto the front (bow) side of the manifold just below the Hi-Tek logo, I drilled two new holes alongside the existing ones in the plate and mounted the stock filter assembly to it. A few new SS bolts, nuts and washers and she sits pretty close to the stock location.
Tom
 
Hi,

I have had those manifolds installed on my 4.3 Mercs in my Regal 2760. they took about a week longer than promised to reach. but i must say i was impressed as soon as i received them.
I was at the same time installing a 160lb westerbeke 3.0 generator and i think the weight difference on the manifolds make up for that.
engine tone sounds nicer, i believe i feel a bit more power, did not really notice a fuel change on the flow scan. but to be honest cant remember really checking.
also since i also changed out an engine at the same time, fuel burn and power improvements could be because of that. but the boat does feel more powerful.
but i can say for sure weight difference wise, u just threw one person off the stern by going to these manifolds, they look great, make plug changing a breeze and are way easier to install. or did i say they make your engine bay look really great :)

I cant say much for how long they last, as mine only have about 5 hours on them, and i wont be the one to tell about that either as i have now moved up to a Sea Ray 440 express Bridge so im now 3126 Caterpillar engines :)

but if i had to do it all over again i would. if u are planning to keep your boat for more than the next 5 years and u need to change exhaust manifolds, I would say go Hi-Tec.

No Fuss :)
 
Hi, installed Hi tek manifolds in mid 2014 on 350MAG in 2004 240DA with approx 200hrs replacing original manifolds. Allen from Hi-Tek Marine Stainless Steel Manifolds of Queensland (Australia) http://www.hitekmarine.com.au/ was very helpful with advice that turned out to be consistent with what had been discussed on forums.
- Fuel improvement is estimated 1-2 litres per hour likely due to the improved power throughout the range. Fully loaded with 4 adults 4 children fuel water etc. @3650revs using 42LPH at 24knts with std Bravo 3 Duo prop. Could remain on the plane at a lower speed @20 knots with corresponding lower fuel consumption although we are normally running around 3600 23-24knts with fuel 38-42LPH depending on load, trim, head wind etc etc etc.
- Mercruiser mechanics were hesitant to install these non OEM manifolds due to claims of inconsistent heat transfer and unsupported warranty comparisons to OEM products they were selling. I compared the OEM risers kits to the Hi-tek manifolds prior to installation are equal if not more area for heat transfer at the contact area. Warranty is a matter for personal preference with Hi Tek claiming 5 years.
- Operated for approx. 15 hours with temperature consistently on the lower end of the green scale @70 Celsius indicating to me that the cooling system is working well. Noticeable power and performance improved across the rev range.
- Boat has been stored on dry racks/air dock its entire life and washed out after every use. The old risers that were removed show signs of external corrosion and leaking that promoted the upgrade, although 10 years for original risers is not recommend. I was informed that OEM risers regularly washed out after each use could last between 5-7 years, whilst risers in salt water would be 3-5 years.
- Installation took 3 hours for qualified experienced Mercruiser mechanic to fit.
Hi Tek risers are significantly lighter, include all bolts and gaskets required to fit. Allen from Hi Tek advised that have continually improve the product and have not seen any cracking issues properly fitted manifolds. Yes made in China to a high standard and specifications.
Cheers
 

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thanks for posting... I hope to get one or two more years out of my hi-tek manifolds (approximately 5 years). The weight reduction is a plus, but I plan to go with OEM next time... My OEM lasted 8 years in salt water.
 
Easy install with 1 motor or with the engines pulled but a ***** with twins!
 
I am get very efficient removing them... with a sawsall... Takes about an hour to cut through them and about 5-10 blades... Once they have been on for a while getting the screw off is a PITA...
 
so these have zincs and still corrode? wouldnt be wrth the money for me, i can get manifolds and risers for under a grand per engine. granted i have the older design.
 
Mine have zincs and they rust, crack and leak... Five years will be pushing it for me... I have two leaking exhaust now, and plan on replacing all of them next year... Bottom line from my experiance: They give you better perfomance if you need it... But they will not last as long a OEM and they may cause you to be very proficient at removing them...
 
Been interested in these since the start but, hesitant about bolting stainless to cast iron and the different expansion rates of the two different metals causing possible leaks..

Looks like a nice product but, I'll stick to OEM and the inherent weakness of the elbow gaskets on my older model.
 
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