I notice on E Bay the Tamraz's Auto parts is offering the reproduction exhaust manifolds for the 68-69 396 Chevelles. These are GM licensed and appear to be exactly the same as the originals other than date. The dates are all early 69. They are about $325 pr. whch is a good deal if they are the same. Has anybody compared these to the originals? The people that sell them say they are the same as far as they know. They do look the same in pictures. Anybody know????

I bought a set of these from Ausley's for my 67. They look dead-on to originals and fit perfectly. I ground off the A.I.R. bosses inside each port to improve flow, thoroughly cleaned and baked, them painted with POR 15 high heat cast iron paint. I'm pleased with them.

Thanks Randy,

I know they are made offshore so I had doubts. Did you ever lay one side by side to an original to compare them? I think it was a good idea to grind the AIR bumps, they are huge.

Phil Swanson
68 Elco 138 car

Thanks Randy,

I know they are made offshore so I had doubts. Did you ever lay one side by side to an original to compare them? I think it was a good idea to grind the AIR bumps, they are huge.

Phil Swanson
68 Elco 138 car


For most restorations, the repro is a good option. If, however, doing an authentic type restoration, reproductions are slightly different in the size and font of the casting numbers, and there are other small casting differences between different years of original manifolds. For instance, 67-8 manifolds do not have a T cast into them for Tonawanda castings, 69 and up do have a T. Don't remember which way they made the repro. So if you are doing a restoration that you are going to drive and occasionally show, nothing wrong with the repro's. Just don't expect them to ever fool anyone who knows the difference.

Jeff Dotterer
Dated Components
Diamond Restored Judge

Thanks Jeff,

Nice to kow the differences.

Phil