is it possible to fit ME7 intake on a 97 850 T-5?

[gotmeaT-5]

After a few hundred pounds spent its been decided that the inlet manifold has cracked on my 850 T-5 and currently I cannot locate one locally but I can locate the later ME7 intake I think thats what it's called [its the smaller manifold as on P fantango's car sorry if thats incorrectly spelt] What will I need to change/modify to fit this manifold to mine and will I notice any differences other than I think the later one looks nicer than the bulky 850 stock one

[p fandango]

it will phsyically bolt straight onto the block but there are quite a few things that need modifying to get it to work.


The drivers side of the manifold fouls the power steering pump. You can cut & weld the corner of the manifold, or i've ditched the factory power steering pump & fitting a Saxo electric pump
An adaptor plate needs to be made to fit the throttle body on instead of the ETM
Throttle wheel needs to be fitted/welded underneath the manifold for the throttle cable
The ME7 manifold has no vac tree so the pipes have to be plumbed elsewhere
The ports are a different shape, i'm going to reshape them with the help of a Dremmel
Need to fit a ME7 dipstick & tube (haven't got that far yet), i assume its different as it doesn't bolt onto the new manifold like it did on the old one


the main advantage i can see is the shorter pipework, from the bottom IC the air flow is alot straighter than even the RIP kit

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/8519/62708926.jpg
side view of the throttle body adaptor plate

http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/1112/44744650.jpg
underneath the manifold with the throttle body fitted

http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/8970/24380499.jpg
new intercooler to throttle body pipe, alot more direct than the RIP kit

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/325/dscf0332m.jpg
the power steering was ditched before i changed the manifold so not got any pics of it fouling the pump

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/3396/dscf0113.jpg
you can see the difference in the port shapes. The top is pre-ME7, bottom is ME7

i'm going to finish this off, but already thinking of using a different manifold again lol. Not sure if i've forgot anything, but if you need any more info just let me know

[Jamest5r]

Ive got choice of two 850 inlet mani's mate, £30.

[gotmeaT-5]

I need the car for the weekend thats why I'm opting for the ME7 manifold otherwise I'd hold out and get a replacement stock manifold

[Alan M]

You can fit the stock ME7 item onto a pre ME7 car. You can use a 2000 on T5 Thermostat housing then as someone over on T5D5 has done you can use power steering system parts to get everything where you need.

[gotmeaT-5]

Good news managed to get the manifold welded this morning so no messing with other manifolds. If anyone has an ME7 manifold they want to be shot of let me know wont be able to take it off your hands till 16th September so dont get worried if you offer it to me and find I dont take it off you straight away