Gas engine exhaust manifold compare

[Cliffm]

The captain and I had a short trip yesterday after determining our starboard engine starboard side exhaust elbow was actually cracked and puffing exhaust into the engine bay.

My question is for those with gas engines, having replaced exhaust elbows, and shopped for value item for the price.

I see (4) choices available on web searches.
-OEM volvo penta elbow in the $250 range
-Sierra elbow in the $200 range
-BAR elbow in the $175 range
-HGE elbow in the $150 range

Are the OEM elbows worth the extra cost due to finish or feature? Can anyone verify that?

Searching for OEM part numbers comes up with Sierra part number equivalent. Anyone use Sierra exhaust parts and if so what is your impressions as to quality and longevity?

Anyone choose to use the BAR equivalent, and if so, your impressions on quality and longevity.

All feedback is appreciated, looking for cost effective fix for the next +7yrs

[Cooler]

Personally, I am always an advocate for OEM parts for major replacement elements. Gaskets, seals, being a place where a person can be sorry for going cheap. Having said that, Sierra is a respected aftermarket source. Typically, their guaranty is better than OEM. Finally $50 divided by 7 is $7, and the elbow should last longer than that. er

[Cliffm]

QR_BBPOST Personally, I am always an advocate for OEM parts for major replacement elements. Gaskets, seals, being a place where a person can be sorry for going cheap. Having said that, Sierra is a respected aftermarket source. Typically, their guaranty is better than OEM. Finally $50 divided by 7 is $7, and the elbow should last longer than that. er

Thanks, I'm leaning towards the Sierra 18-1909-1 as I can source them locally at Fisheries supply, and less than the local VP parts supplier. Looks like Sierra does not have a VP manifold replacement, just elbow.

[buster53]

QR_BBPOST Personally, I am always an advocate for OEM parts for major replacement elements. Gaskets, seals, being a place where a person can be sorry for going cheap. Having said that, Sierra is a respected aftermarket source. Typically, their guaranty is better than OEM. Finally $50 divided by 7 is $7, and the elbow should last longer than that. er

Thanks, I'm leaning towards the Sierra 18-1909-1 as I can source them locally at Fisheries supply, and less than the local VP parts supplier. Looks like Sierra does not have a VP manifold replacement, just elbow.

If you have a full fresh water cooled engine, you will probably never replace the manifolds, only the elbow/risers.

[Cooler]

Cliff - the only real difference is probably the premium price associated with the Volvo brand. Happy cruising! er

[Viper]

I've used the first three brands in your list and have been satisfied with all three. While I prefer OEM for most hardware, some items don't really matter. In this case, if you're in a salt water application, it really doesn't make a big difference or more beneficial to go OEM as you'll be replacing them in a few years regardless of the brand (if you're proactive).

[Cliffm]

Thanks for the feedback, more research into BARR, since moving to Virginia, has been contracted to make manifolds for Volvo Penta, as well as OMC, and does for Sierra as well.

[Aj325]

Buster53 wrote:
"If you have a full fresh water cooled engine, you will probably never replace the manifolds, only the elbow/risers."
Would you please explain a bit further on this comment.
Last summer I purchased a 325 Aft cabin with 350 XL's. It is a fresh water cooled with 560 hours on each engine . I am still in a steep learning curve and am trying to figure out where I am relative to replacing the the risers and elbows. I didn't put many hours on it last year as we focused on many other tasks, making the boat "ours"
I did observe one elbow was slightly warmer that the rest while underway, but after returning to the marina and down at no wake speed observed that the rest were then similar in temperature. Non were too hot to keep your hand on it indefinitely.
I still have a long to do list for this year, but would appreciate input on this subject.
Thanks!

[Viper]

I wouldn't fret about the difference in temps from one elbow to another, it's normal for them to be a little different, too many variables for them to be exactly the same. As long as one isn't really hot compared to the rest, you're fine. It's good to have an IR temp gun on board to take accurate readings of such things.

[km1125]

QR_BBPOST Buster53 wrote:
"If you have a full fresh water cooled engine, you will probably never replace the manifolds, only the elbow/risers."
Would you please explain a bit further on this comment....

If it's "full fresh water" cooling, that means the manifolds are cooled with antifreeze and not subject to the rusting you get with raw water. The elbows/risers are still subject to raw water, so they would need to be replaced at some point.

There's also a huge difference between boating in a salt or brackish water and lake water. I had heard horror stories of bad manifolds on my first boat, which was already 10 years old when I bought it and had original manifolds and it was a 'raw' water system. I thought I was "risking it" every year so I ended up replacing them. Those originals had been in the Great Lakes their entire lives and showed NO signs inside of any problems when I finally replaced them at 15 years. In salt they would have never lasted that long.