So I've been wondering if those thick metal braces that seem to support the intake manifold by connecting to the block are really needed? Obviously ITB setups do not utilize this but they also weigh much less. Is it dead weight and another thing to work around? Or are they necessary to prevent the manifold from cracking? I'm curious to know if it will even line up with the holes if I put say a Outlaw Engineering gasket/spacer/thermal barrier thing on.

 

Well if the bracket bolts onto the same side as the manifold all it would take is a thin spacer to fill the gap should be very easy to make.I think it mostly depends on what kind of driving you do.Autocrossing and road race apps would probably need it less than lets say drag racing due to the way you would have to shift and the vibrations caused by the motor.I dont really see the need for a brace unless you are using a really expensixe sheet metal intake most of the newer intakes being made are very strong and well made and should hold up to whatever you can throw at them.

 

Road racers and auto-crossers have solid mounts too not to mention you shift a hell of a lot more than drag racing. So I'm not sure how that came into play. I'm talking about using a OEM cast manifold though, so it is not newer it was made in 1998. Obviously a cast manifold is much heavier than a sheet or forged type.

 

I never have used the brace I always take it off. But I have aftermarket mounts, not sure if that makes a difference

 

I meant as far as how harsh the shifting is between the two types of racing.I am guessing they are easily sourced and if they are it probably would be more cost effective to just worry about it when it breaks which I dont think will happen either way most of the oem manifolds I have ever seen look as good as they did new after years and years of abuse in all types of cars and racing conditions.

 

I don't think an OEM port matched JDM P73 intake manifold is considered easily sourced. So I rather not take my chances to replace it down the road. Has a manifold ever broke from lack of bracing?

 

I have an h swap with a stock IM and haven't used the braces for 2 years on my DD.

 

i use a p73 itr intake manifold with no bracing. innovative mounts and boost..no problems with cracking

 

You do not need the bracket... /end of thread :-)

 

its the first thing to come off before an oil change.

 

D16a6 intake manifold on D15B1 with thermal intake manifold gasket from ebay. 3 years of wheel hopping burnouts and shifting like I was running from the cops and nothing ever broke!

Also ran my header on my 91 Accord with no brackets but its auto.

 

Yeah ,Honda thought, what the hell, lets spend umpteen thousands of dollars and just throw these brackets on for the hell of it.....

 

Cast metals are prone to fatigue. I have never seen an intake manifold break with out the brackets,but the possibility is there. If your mani rare, take the extra step. I would.

 

Ditto the above, there is a reason Honda put then there, the last thing a car manufacturing company wants to do is add weight and cost to any car they build.

It is obvious Honda engineers did some "stress testing" and found it was a good idea to add the braces.

I sure as hell would not like to find myself on the side of the road because my IM cracked because I did not install a brace, more so if it was a hard to find, [expensive] IM 94

 

I have only seen 1 stock manifold crack where the runner met the flange, cylinder number 4. It was on a 94 GSR. It did not have the manifold bracket. I still think its super rare to see and who knows what really caused it. Just b/c it was missing the brace doesnt necessarily mean it was the cause, although Im sure it didnt help. It was a fine crack, nothing crazy, but it was there (not a casting flaw). I should have taken a pic of it before I tossed it in the trash, lol.

 

don't need the bracket

 

Then why is it there?

 

dont remember if it wa skunk2 or other company. when testing prototype manifolds they would crack at the flanges.

so yea. honda would not put a bracket there if it wasnt needed.
thats why its called SUPPORT BRACKET. its not there to annoy you but to prevent cracking/ flexing of the manifold. and to prevent studs from stretching over time with heat/ cold cycles...

OEM exhaust manifold is supported by 3 brackets. why? because its heavy.

the car is made for consumers that dont know whats under the hood not tweakers that take the engine apart every month as part of their ritual...