Saturn Ion Exhaust Manifold

[WolfmanDave]

My roommate and I work at a Cadillac dealership and he is currently replacing a 2.2L Ecotec in a Cobalt. The oil pan was damaged in an accident and evidently run without oil for a while. 2 of the 4 rod bearings were worn down to almost nothing. So, the insurance company approved a low-mileage junkyard motor. Since I have an '08 Cobalt, I'm taking particular interest in helping him out. Anyways, when it arrived, we noticed that there were some differences. Apparently, the motor was from a Saturn Ion. The fuel rail was different, the exhaust manifold was different, and a few other things. Since the exhaust manifold wasn't a cast piece, but appeared to be a tubular piece, I decided to grab it for future consideration. Here are the pics of the exhaust manifold. Anyone know if there may be any performance benefits from adding this to a 2.2?

[gibsonj4]

hmmm idk what the stock manifold runners are and what the diamtere is. I'll look it up.

[Red07SSNA]

LOL! That's an SAI exhaust manifold!

[WolfmanDave]

Originally Posted by Red07SSNA

LOL! That's an SAI exhaust manifold!

I'm new. Could you explain SAI for me?

[dduffy2005]

secondary air injection. Are you sure red07?! ok never mind now I see it. Couldn't he just chop off that part and call it good? On a none SAI 2.2 isn't there just the cylinder block where the SAI should be?

[Red07SSNA]

Originally Posted by WolfmanDave

I'm new. Could you explain SAI for me?

There are post already on the subject -- but what the heck-- I hate searching too:D. SAI Secondary Air Injection (old Air Injection Reactor AIR - same thing) is an emissions system that pumps fresh air into the exhaust to reduce emissions. On top of the exhaust you pictured there is a hole with 2 bolt holes -- on top of that a checkvalve is mounted. The pump is located between the engine and radiator and the plumbing goes: from the air filter box (for filtered air-small second hose) to the pump and from the pump to the checkvalve.

Red07SSNA added 4 Minutes and 21 Seconds later...

Originally Posted by dduffy2005

secondary air injection. Are you sure red07?! ok never mind now I see it. Couldn't he just chop off that part and call it good? On a none SAI 2.2 isn't there just the cylinder block where the SAI should be?

Actually that manifold doesn't look very restrictive (I can't see the insides though). He couldn't just chop off the top -- need to plug it to prevent exhaust leaks. It must also use a different head-to mani gasket then the cast iron version.

Wolfmandave -- What year Saturn ION did that manifold come off of? I haven't seen an '08 version -- the 08 as a different PN then the 06-07 manifold.

[gibsonj4]

that sucks and prolly cannot use it because of that SAI.

no... you don't want that... throw it away...

[WolfmanDave]

Originally Posted by Red07SSNA

Wolfmandave -- What year Saturn ION did that manifold come off of? I haven't seen an '08 version -- the 08 as a different PN then the 06-07 manifold.

It came out of an '06. Here's the pic with the SAI 'thingy' attached.

Originally Posted by SilverStreak

no... you don't want that... throw it away...

So, I take that as a no performance gain. But, what if I have it bored out and have a custom plate welded over the SAI opening?

[Red07SSNA]

Originally Posted by WolfmanDave

It came out of an '06. Here's the pic with the SAI 'thingy' attached.


So, I take that as a no performance gain. But, what if I have it bored out and have a custom plate welded over the SAI opening?

My .02 -- Don't use it. It won't seal the same against the cylinder head as the cast iron manifold or aftermarket headers.