Automotive Dictionary: Manifold

Throughout this site we use many technical terms, and given the breadth of readership our site enjoys, sometimes we are remiss and incorrectly assume everyone knows what we are referring to. For those that do not, here are some explanations of the technical terms use.

Manifold

Usually a casting, but sometimes a fabricated trunking, connecting the exhaust or inlet passages from the cylinders to a common opening, to which the exhaust pipe, or carburettor, is attached. On earlier vehicles particularly, the manifold sometimes served both exhaust and inlet requirements. Commonly referred to as the grouping of pipes that distribute the inlet charge from the carburettor to the various cylinders and likewise the exhaust gases from the various cylinders to the exhaust system.