Re: Dialynx (a tad long)

[DeWitt Harrison <de@aztek.com>]

On Sun, 30 Mar 1997 22:10:31 GMT, Phil Payne wrote:

>A short while ago I posted a fairly long piece about the Dialynx manifold.
> 
>In it, I pointed out that the two failures known to me (my own and John 
>Robinson's) both shared the factors of having been installed by the same 
>mechanic within a week of each other, and being on MB engines.  John has since 
>told me that _all_ of the stud threads in his cylinder head have been damaged, 
>and his exhaust manifold is now 100% helicoiled.  I suspect that John's first 
>warpage was caused by incorrect fitting, and his second by concommitant damage 
>to the head.
> 
>Which leaves my own MB, with a Dialynx manifold ticking not so quietly away.  
>
>An exhaustive examination and subsequent experiment proves that my own Dialynx 
>manifold ceases to tick once there are properly torqued nuts on _ALL_ of the 
>studs!!! 
>
>I remind the audience that John's and mine were installed by the same mechanic 
>within days of each other.  I strongly suspect we have found the problem.
>
>And it has _nothing_ to do with Dialynx.

I would like to add another data point or so.  I know of two Dialynx
installations
so far; my 5kcstq and one of Uncle John Beckius' customers. Two different
shops.  In both cases, fitting was a bear. The Dialynx bolted right on
except that
small form nuts had to be used in a couple places due to tight clearances. Poor
fastener access made it difficult to properly torque everything. Then the real
fun began because nothing else would fit. The stock intake manifold required
machining to clear the Dialynx and the turbo-to-downpipe alignment was way
off. Be prepared to add 4 hours of shop time to labor estimates for the job. My
Dialynx warped after about 4 months service. No stud damage fortunately.
Since the thing fits now, I'm going to straighten it and try again. I'll let you
know what happens.

My _subjective_ impression of engine performance was good. I think a dyno
run would be needed to know for certain.  Visually, it is a more open design
but also does less to isolate the exhaust ports from each other. This manifold
is one viable replacement option but I cannot endorse it without reservation.

DeWitt Harrison   de@aztek.com
Boulder, CO
88 5kcstq