Ported exhaust manifolds...worth it?

[Red99GAGT]

OK here is my situation. To start off, I can't afford headers right now. Maybe down the road eventually but right now, they are not an option. Well a while back someone on the other board had a set of Pontiac Aztec 3400 exhaust manifolds for sale. He assures me they are a direct bolt up. Part of the deal was he would have them ported. Well, I didn't put much thought into it and the price was right, so I figured what the hell and bought them.

Well that was over a month ago, and I still haven't received them. He has assured me they are in the mail and should be here any day. During the last month I've really been questioning whether I will get any gains out of these? I'll be installing an SLP cat-back with a high flow cat at the same time. Supposedly the reason the Aztec's are rated at 180 HP is because of their exhaust manifolds. Don't quote me on this though, because I only heard this.

So for all you exhaust guru's...do you think I will see any gains in HP at all? Like I said before, the price was right...so it didn't cost me much. Thanks in advance.

[PontiacGT2K]

Probably not. Exhaust manifolds for us are very cheaply made, primaries are each like 1" long.... you'll get some results probably, but the trouble you're going to go through to install those isn't worth it whatsoever. Just save up for headers. No point in doing anything unless you're going to do it right, ya know?

[Craig99SE2]

Yeah ... not worth the hassle of replacing them. You *might* pick up 2-3HP by port matching, but the stock design is SO flawed by dumping the front bank into the rear that gains are minimal if at all.

[KtuluCrazyTrain]

I actually got the other set from that guy. The guy that ported them came down and put them in, so it wasn't too much of a hassle. The car seems a tad bit smoother off the line, but that could be mental. Plus I can't really tell too much about anything because of my crazy air fuel ratios. Once I get all that fixed I'll be able to tell better.

[Red99GAGT]

I figured as much. Oh well. I suppose I should just save for headers. Still would like to hear more opinions. Thanks to the rest of you that replied.

[PontiacGT2K]

Sorry bud, but this isn't so much as an opinion thing as it is factual. The stock exhaust manifolds are ****....no matter what you do with them they're a horrible design. 5hp is the most you'll get...out of something that is a real biotch to install. Prolly 6-12 hour install for that. You think it's worth it, go for it, but IMHO as well as everyone elses', save for headers.