Marco (my original builder) convinced me to stick with the stock exhaust manifold because it is cast iron and strong. This is what they originally went with during the Project Car Magazine build up. They were also going for the factory look, so the heat shields were used. 

I thought about upgrading to a newer exhaust manifold and if I did, there was only one I would use… Future Fab. Unfortunately, I don’t have the budget for it because everything else needs to get done first. 

Another unfortunate thing was when I received the Project Leopard, all the exhaust manifold components were missing. I was able to pick up an exhaust manifold with heat shield off ebay for a good price. Marco looked it over and found the heat shield was cracked. I had it welded up for $20. But then I saw a guy selling the heat AND turbo shield. So I bought it from him. 

I asked my buddy Hung if he know a place that would ceramic coat and he called around. He found a place and said they can heat ceramic coat, but they also have the Glacier chrome option.. which is what I decided to go with. 

I honestly don’t know if I want to have the turbo heat shield on.. but just incase, I wanted to have it match.