OEM Exhaust and Risers or Aftermarket???

Scooter145

Cadet
Joined
Jul 3, 2015
Messages
7
Hello all. I'm new to posting on this forum but have done a lot of reading about a lot of great topics. Question for all of the experts. I have a 1999 Sea Ray 185 with a Mercruiser (serial number 0L361805) 4.3L Alpha Gen 2 with the OLD batwing single piece exhaust manifolds. I'm finally about to change to the 2 piece unit type and need some advice. Which ones should I buy? I got sticker shock when my local boat dealer quoted me $1867.00 in OEM parts to do the conversion. I've seen many many many other conversion kits costing a lot less. I use the boat in salt water and brackish water. HELP, what does everyone recommend? Thanks so much for the help and look forward to learning a lot from the forum!
 

Thomv

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
244
I have used aftermarket parts on both the risers and manifolds where I ended up having to modify the exhaust manifolds for them to fit correctly. If I had to do it again I would try and go OEM even with the higher price. Just my opinion.
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Personally, at this point, especially using the boat in salt, go the whole hog and update to dry-joint....

Chris......
 

Scooter145

Cadet
Joined
Jul 3, 2015
Messages
7
Great idea about going to dry joint! Would you suggest OEM or aftermarket? Going from a single piece manifold to a dry joint manifold and riser system shouldn't be a problem should it? Thanks so much for the help!
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Going from a single piece manifold to a dry joint manifold and riser system shouldn't be a problem should it?

Nope... And as much as I intently dislike Merc, and anything they stand for, yes OEM.. :facepalm:
 

Fun Times

Moderator
Staff member
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May 16, 2009
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8,770
Whatever brand of exhaust you end up with be sure to only use Mercruiser's OEM manifold to riser/elbow gaskets for less chance of them leaking so soon.....The quality of the gasket is superior to most of other aftermarket gaskets available.

Some homework for you if needed,
http://www.michel-christen.com/ExhaustElbows.pdf
http://www.performancemarine.net/two-piece_exhaust.html
http://www.mooreperformance.info/MercruiserV6conversionkit.html
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/sele..._nbr=4.3L+(GEN++)+(2+BBL.)++++GM+262+V-6+1998
 

NHGuy

Captain
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May 21, 2009
Messages
3,631
Since you boat in salt and brackish be sure to get the Merc coated stuff if they give you the choice. It has a salt resistant surface on the wet parts. Be a savvy shopper, get the part #s and search them everywhere. You can save dozens of dollars. I think I found them on Mercruiser's site, and eventually got them at a merchant's ebay store.
When I bought manifolds (OE) 4 years ago. I did that and found them driving distance from my home. Which turned out great cause I was in the middle of vacation and didn't want to park my boat while I waited for shipping.
 
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Scooter145

Cadet
Joined
Jul 3, 2015
Messages
7
Thanks everyone for the great advice! I look forward to many other discussions with everyone!
 

NHGuy

Captain
Joined
May 21, 2009
Messages
3,631
Be careful when you order, if it does not specifically state Mercruiser OE it probably is not. I just did some looking.
I think you are going to spend about $1200 for the risers and manifolds. Then another $220 or so for the conversion kit. You will need to know whether it will use 7 degree 3" outlets, or 14 degree 4" down angled riser outlets.
If that's too rich for you the OE wet joint costs substantially less, but it has a greater risk of failure too.
 
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