I’m posting this on various boards in an attempt to reach as many people as we can.
We have decided to implement a running change/design improvement to the valley plate of our 2 piece composite Titan intake manifolds, AFR PN #4801, 4802 and 4804.
We have had some customers out on the field experience small leaks in the rear (distributor end) of the manifold along the china wall. We attribute the bulk of these isolated problems to all the variables in the installation process as well as the quality and types of the silicone being used, but none the less we have made some changes to the design of the baseplate to make the installation more user friendly and less finicky or susceptible to leaks.
Note we have hundreds out in the field that our trouble free, but if you have not installed your manifold yet, or have experienced an oil leak, please call AFR for an RGA # and return the base plate only for a no charge exchange. We will also cover the freight both ways so there is no cost out of pocket to you.
If you currently have a Titan manifold installed and have not experienced any issues there is no need to remove it of course. If a leak develops at a later date our exchange program is good at any time whether you’re the original purchaser of the manifold or not. In the future if you do happen to remove the manifold and would like the new design valley plate just for peace of mind, feel free to contact us and send it in for our exchange program.
Here is a picture of a modified base.
Essentially the reason the occasional leaking develops is the composite material of the manifold base does not adhere as well to silicone as aluminum adheres to silicone noting that bad prep and/or length of dry time will add even more variables to the adhesion issues. Also, the vertical forces of the distributor loading and unloading with RPM work against the adhesion of the silicone bead and composite manifold. Note not a single customer has experienced a leak in the front China wall because there are no forces working against the front seal. After we modify the base by positively attaching the aluminum plate to it (screwed and glued), it acts no differently than installing an aluminum manifold.
We have proven this redesign both on the dyno and out in the field on road race endurance engines which seemed to be the common denominator on most of the problematic manifolds. We sent our new design base (with the aluminum plate attached) to a handful of these endurance racers and it completely eliminated their nagging leaks.
On behalf of the entire AFR management team, sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
Tony Mamo
AFR R&D / Product Design Mgr.
661-705-8508
PS....Thought I would add I'm only around till lunchtime tomorrow (Friday) and will be taking a three day weekend to celebrate the half century mark on this planet (man it goes FAST!). I mention this only to inform you my ability to respond will be limited to nonexistent till I return to the office on Tuesday....thanks in advance for understanding!
