Sportex manifold.... what a heap of shit

1. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

   #1 25th April 2013, 07:04

   Heads up on this one to not buy these if your low
   You wont fit a lamda in it due to the boss being hugely wonky in the bottom section
   
   
   
   As you can see the lamda aims down hanging below the sump and basically becoming the lowest point on the car by 10mm ish which is enough to rip it off on a speed bump quite happily
   
   But never fear sportex in their wisdom fitted a front lamda boss like supersprint ect do
   
   
   
   Oh wait its the wrong side of the manifold so the wiring doesnt reach and its also aimed directly at the oil filter so if the oe water heat exchanger is fitted youll have no chance of using it....
   
   Awesome design there lol
   
   Ive contacted sportex themselves about this as i got it off there ebay store but im not overly impressed by simple fuck ups like this
   Even something as simple as turning the Y peice the front lamda is i would solve the issue sobwe shall see their reply
   
   Also
   You cant use a slim line fan with it
   I have a 12" one and its literally 2 or 3mm from touching so thatll just melt within 10 minutes
   
   
   All in
   Basically i would say not to buy them guys
   Its not safe how the lamda hangs down like that and is just asking for trouble then pile on a simple design error with the front one and the fact it sits close to the rad warming that up aswell its never going to be a decent bit of kit for the money..
2. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

   #2 25th April 2013, 09:14

   to be fair that is bizarre considering the lambda wires come over the gearbox end for the upper most lambda
3. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

   #3 25th April 2013, 09:27

   Vts doesnt have an upper lamda gandi
   
   Some aftermarket manis have a hole for it but at least in a useable place...
4. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

   #4 25th April 2013, 09:31

   I didnt know that mate, are they both further down? assumed it would be the same a mk1 vtr setup
   even so daft positioning, why even bother welding the boss in there
5. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

   #5 25th April 2013, 09:48

   Single plug cars have 1 pre cat below the gear linkages
   3 plug one pre cat below linkages one post cat halfway down the car in the centre pipe
   
   As said some have it higher up to stop it getting damaged in rallying ect thats why the options there
   But on this its totally useless....
6. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

   #6 25th April 2013, 09:50

   Do you think this is just a poorly made item?
7. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

   #7 25th April 2013, 10:02

   Yes...

   2 users thanked this post: user_10176, Paulp
8. Gandi699 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Apr 2011 Posts: 9100 Amazon green VTR 16v, Inferno RS clio 182

   #8 25th April 2013, 10:07

   Reckon they'll refund you for it (if it was a new item). Technically theres nothing wrong with it but I guess you could say its not fit for purpose
9. m4tt274 Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Sep 2011 Doncaster Posts: 2627 Fabia VRS, mk1 fiesta + some others

   #9 25th April 2013, 10:15

   Interesting as the toyosports for the VTRs are built using the sportex design and though some argue they arent made from the best stainless they always fit bang on!
   
   No real way out of that though, that is a shit lambda plug. The front lambda boss could be made to work i suppose if you were to extend, but sod that.
10. monka Established Member Joined: Sep 2010 Posts: 1368

    #10 25th April 2013, 10:39

    poorly made? its a sportex, of course it is.
11. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #11 25th April 2013, 11:01

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Gandi699 Reckon they'll refund you for it (if it was a new item). Technically theres nothing wrong with it but I guess you could say its not fit for purpose

    Well ive emailed them so will see
    
    

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by m4tt274 Interesting as the toyosports for the VTRs are built using the sportex design and though some argue they arent made from the best stainless they always fit bang on! No real way out of that though, that is a shit lambda plug. The front lambda boss could be made to work i suppose if you were to extend, but sod that.

    Front would only work if you have the filter direct onto the block no cooler which is oe l
    If you have any sort of sandwich plate ect it wont fit cause of the oil filter
12. user_32315 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Mar 2009 Uppingham, Rutland Posts: 9569 mk1 JP4'd VTR, '16 Fabia Monte Carlo

    #12 25th April 2013, 16:19

    would fitting a 90degree adapter work?
13. yr51ocw Frequent Poster Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 751

    #13 25th April 2013, 16:29

    lambda sensors should never hang down, condensation will collect in the tip of the sensor and destroy them prematurly
14. axsaxoman Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jan 2003 Scotland Posts: 3380

    #14 25th April 2013, 19:35

    having the lambda pointing down is as big a fuck -up as you can make
    when car is cold all the water droplets will run inot the lambda probe and damage it very quickly ,even if it was high enough to give clearance it is still totally wrong
    i think the old saying --"if you pay peanuts you monkeys" says it all

    2 users thanked this post: user_10176, Paulp
15. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #15 26th April 2013, 16:20

    Had a phonecall off sportex today
    
    They are sending a courier on friday (at my convenience) to collect this manifold and asses
    
    They seem to think its been incorrectly assembled and welded
16. jpsaxo Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Oct 2005 Sydney Posts: 8525 Mango Westcoast

    #16 27th April 2013, 08:04

    lol nice
17. martin1985 Frequent Poster Joined: Jul 2012 North East Posts: 510 EP3 Type R

    #17 27th April 2013, 17:15

    my sportex went on my car fine
18. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #18 28th April 2013, 17:14

    Hence them sending a courier
    The think a batch of them got fucked up so we shall see whats said when they get it
19. Paulp Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2007 Lancashire Posts: 14256 Astra VXR + 1989 Astra GTE

    #19 28th April 2013, 17:32

    Atleast they haven't fobbed you off completely, there is some customer service there.
    
    Keep us all updated mate.
20. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #20 28th April 2013, 18:54

    Yea they seem pretty concerned about it and getting it right
21. jones91 Established Member Joined: Jun 2011 Bridgnorth (Shropshire) Posts: 2001 Jdm Dc2 Integra

    #21 28th April 2013, 19:09

    Nice to see that the customer service is there tbh, when I had my sportex mani I had the same issue of the one lambda hole being in the way of the oil filter, but the one at the bottom was fine and didn't make the lambda sit low
22. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #22 28th April 2013, 19:43

    They think theres a whole batch with the y piece backwards from what they said
    
    I think its a rather silly error to of got past them completely tbh which is pretty shocking
    Im thinking the jig they have (im assuming on a production item they will use a jig to weld it) for making them on is in need of some fool proofing if thats possible
    Same with the lower being wonky 2 simple pegs to locate the lamda bosses and no more issue
23. blackie_2k5 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B

    #23 28th April 2013, 20:08

    Never seen you as a sportex type of person tbh alex
24. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #24 28th April 2013, 20:10

    Tbh i just got a cheapish mani thought "ill get a named one to avoid issues" and yea.....
    
    I dont need an amazing one for the yellow gti
    Just got what i could find
25. craigbarley Infrequent Poster Joined: Feb 2013 staffordshire Posts: 133 saxo vts (2000 single plug&mk2) and a civic type r

    #25 2nd May 2013, 11:46

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by AlexB Tbh i just got a cheapish mani thought "ill get a named one to avoid issues" and yea..... I dont need an amazing one for the yellow gti Just got what i could find

    they sorted this issue for u yet alex? or have u heard off them?
26. Reecesaxo L-plater Joined: Feb 2013 Blackpool Posts: 84 1998 saxo vtr 53 vts conversion

    #26 2nd May 2013, 11:55

    I would lay it on thick saying you have paid a garage for there time to fit etc and woud like compensation!
27. KamRacing Saxperience Addict Joined: Nov 2006 A farm shed in Aylesbury Posts: 14916 Corolla AE86 Peugeot 205 B18C (in bits)

    #27 2nd May 2013, 15:15

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by axsaxoman having the lambda pointing down is as big a fuck -up as you can make when car is cold all the water droplets will run inot the lambda probe and damage it very quickly ,even if it was high enough to give clearance it is still totally wrong i think the old saying --"if you pay peanuts you monkeys" says it all

    Thats the first thing I noticed when looking at the pictures! Its pretty sloppy design..
28. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #28 2nd May 2013, 18:42

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by craigbarley they sorted this issue for u yet alex? or have u heard off them?

    Its getting collected tomorrow
    
    

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Reecesaxo I would lay it on thick saying you have paid a garage for there time to fit etc and woud like compensation!

    Im not going to take the piss unless they get funny over it
    
    

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by KamRacing Thats the first thing I noticed when looking at the pictures! Its pretty sloppy design..

    That was my thoughts
    If what they are saying is true and the fabricators put it together wrong then it wouldnt be bad normally
    
    Just wondering how many are like this
    Seems a tad unorganised
    Especially if a fuck up like that makes it all the way to the customer
29. KamRacing Saxperience Addict Joined: Nov 2006 A farm shed in Aylesbury Posts: 14916 Corolla AE86 Peugeot 205 B18C (in bits)

    #29 2nd May 2013, 19:41

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Reecesaxo I would lay it on thick saying you have paid a garage for there time to fit etc and woud like compensation!

    it would be rather nice but rare gesture of goodwill if they did give compensation. No warranty covers that.
30. blackie_2k5 Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B

    #30 2nd May 2013, 21:13

    Tbh Alex.. It's probably been a major fuck up that they've tried to brush under the mat, the cost of repairing or scrapping them would be huge loss
    
    Better for them try and push them out the door and see how many come back.. Bad practice no doubts, but lots of companies are like this
31. craigbarley Infrequent Poster Joined: Feb 2013 staffordshire Posts: 133 saxo vts (2000 single plug&mk2) and a civic type r

    #31 3rd May 2013, 00:22

    But at least there willing to come pick it up and sort it, gotta give them some credit to do this with out giving a fight or hassle about it
32. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #32 3rd May 2013, 01:09

    Yea no doubt theyre beeing good about sorting it so far
    Shall see how far that goes lol
33. craigbarley Infrequent Poster Joined: Feb 2013 staffordshire Posts: 133 saxo vts (2000 single plug&mk2) and a civic type r

    #33 3rd May 2013, 09:15

    Yeah cz it's a shame, I nearly brought a full system off them for a tempory track day exghust for this year or so
34. utothek Infrequent Poster Joined: Feb 2011 Peterborough Posts: 175 1.6 VTR

    #34 3rd May 2013, 12:51

    So dont avoid these or avoid?
35. Pricklep Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 31279 Citroen Saxo VTS, S60 D5

    #35 3rd May 2013, 12:53

    They arnt that bad of a make. You get what you pay for but Sportex has obv made a mistake with a batch on manifolds. At least they're sorting it and not dishing Alex a load of bullshit
36. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #36 3rd May 2013, 14:06

    Id still avoid as there will be more like this of they say they fucked up a batch
    
    You have no idea if youll get a useable one
    
    Pissed me off as bought in a rush to get the car going and 3 weeks later its still sat manifoldless
37. craigbarley Infrequent Poster Joined: Feb 2013 staffordshire Posts: 133 saxo vts (2000 single plug&mk2) and a civic type r

    #37 3rd May 2013, 15:31

    Who needs manifolds when ur in a rush lol
38. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #38 3rd May 2013, 15:39

    well im not in a rush anymore cause of it
    
    the cars sat for 2 years whats a few more weeks...
39. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #39 3rd May 2013, 20:06

    courier never came
    email sent again
40. craigbarley Infrequent Poster Joined: Feb 2013 staffordshire Posts: 133 saxo vts (2000 single plug&mk2) and a civic type r

    #40 4th May 2013, 11:39

    That's a shame! Really thought they would of jump on this one to hold on to there support side :/ keep us posted
41. LSOfreak Saxperience Addict Joined: Jan 2008 west london Posts: 13810

    #41 4th May 2013, 12:09

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by AlexB courier never came email sent again

    lol so useless when that happens...
    
    just waiting around at home for the whole day like a lemon for a courier that never arrives
42. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #42 4th May 2013, 14:15

    Ive emailed obviously its bank holiday so i wont hear till tuesday soonest
43. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #43 11th May 2013, 10:14

    Still no reply off them about the courier not turning up
    
    Going to phone next week as im on earlies
44. craigbarley Infrequent Poster Joined: Feb 2013 staffordshire Posts: 133 saxo vts (2000 single plug&mk2) and a civic type r

    #44 11th May 2013, 11:00

    This is starting to become a joke, sounded like they were good at first, now it's taking the piss
45. user_11460 Super Moderator Joined: Aug 2006 Staffs Posts: 3778 207 HDi GT

    #45 12th May 2013, 18:22

    If you don't get any joy soon, start an eBay/PayPal claim.
    IIRC you have to start it within 45 days of purchase
46. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #46 12th May 2013, 19:12

    Ill be starting one soon simon
47. craigbarley Infrequent Poster Joined: Feb 2013 staffordshire Posts: 133 saxo vts (2000 single plug&mk2) and a civic type r

    #47 13th May 2013, 09:49

    When u emailed them Alex did they email u bk ?
48. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #48 13th May 2013, 12:06

    The first time they phoned me back
    This time no reply
    I will phone them up later and see the score
49. user_7076 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Sep 2005 Milton Keynes Posts: 8504 Audi A1 S-Line, Mazda MX5 Kuro, Renault Clio 1.2,

    #49 13th May 2013, 14:45

    It's made by Sportex what do you expect..
50. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #50 13th May 2013, 15:01

    It to at least fit and not be at an angle that things will get damaged
51. user_7076 Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Sep 2005 Milton Keynes Posts: 8504 Audi A1 S-Line, Mazda MX5 Kuro, Renault Clio 1.2,

    #51 13th May 2013, 15:04

    Of course it should fit and you definitely have a dispute with them if it doesn't but at £150 for a manifold you shouldn't really be expecting quality.
52. craigbarley Infrequent Poster Joined: Feb 2013 staffordshire Posts: 133 saxo vts (2000 single plug&mk2) and a civic type r

    #52 14th May 2013, 00:54

    The price shouldn't matter too much, it should be angled correctly, if u saw the start thread, he said he wanted a cheap one for a tempory fix to get it on the road
53. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #53 14th May 2013, 05:20

    I wasnt expecting quality
    I have a supersprint on my other gti for that
    I just needed a mani to get the car finished and its now sat without cause sportex seem to have a fabricator issue
    
    If its aparently fine thats when ill really kick off
54. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #54 21st May 2013, 12:51

    After much fucking about i went direct to sportex and they are only half an hour away so ive drove over here with the manifold
    
    Lets see what they say haha
55. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #55 21st May 2013, 14:43

    Ok so the guys who actually make the mani were sound unlike the tards who sell them haha
    
    Hes took it off me and is going to see about salvaging this one and redoing whats wrong
    Otherwise they will just do me a full replacement
56. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #56 23rd May 2013, 10:53

    Heading over shortly so will see whats been done to this one
57. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #57 23rd May 2013, 12:40

    New manifold made yo how i said it needed to be both lamdas look better now
    Still cheap build quality i knew that wouldnt change but it should at least work now lol
    
    Not sure how seriously theyve taken all this wether its going to be kept as a change but we will see
58. martin1985 Frequent Poster Joined: Jul 2012 North East Posts: 510 EP3 Type R

    #58 23rd May 2013, 13:41

    at least it has been sorted now
59. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #59 25th May 2013, 13:36

    New one for some reason now hits the alternator.....
    
    
    
    Luckily i have an 8v setup i can put on but still rather annoying
60. Jimmy-Boy Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Jul 2006 Suffolk Posts: 7551 N/A 200bhp+ per ton 106 gti

    #60 25th May 2013, 22:00

    Not good! Next time for less aggro get a better name I guess
61. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #61 27th May 2013, 11:07

    Next time id just get a raceland
62. Pricklep Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 31279 Citroen Saxo VTS, S60 D5

    #62 27th May 2013, 11:11

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by AlexB New one for some reason now hits the alternator..... Luckily i have an 8v setup i can put on but still rather annoying

    Mine was close to the wire so i broke the plastic abit and moved the wire around. Been fine since october
63. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #63 27th May 2013, 11:13

    Apart from this ones holding it up so i cant get the bolts in john....
64. Bordtea Infrequent Poster Joined: Mar 2013 Posts: 110 Saxo 1.6 VTR

    #64 27th May 2013, 19:08

    Hmm these sorts of threads do make me wonder about sportex, might be worth forking out a little bit extra for a better quality brand...
65. AlexBp West Midlands Joined: Dec 2007 West mids Posts: 23149 Supra,civic GL

    #65 27th May 2013, 22:07

    Id say so yes
    Ive now swapped to the 8v alternator setup so ive got space lol
    Its still annoying though lol
66. martin1985 Frequent Poster Joined: Jul 2012 North East Posts: 510 EP3 Type R

    #66 27th May 2013, 22:15

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by AlexB Id say so yes Ive now swapped to the 8v alternator setup so ive got space lol Its still annoying though lol

    since my car was a vtr to vts conversion this didn't affect me! but bad crack though mate!
67. user_60976 Regular Poster Joined: Aug 2012 Street, Somerset Posts: 460 2002 VTS

    #67 28th May 2013, 20:10

    Thanks for the heads up!