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I'm using a MIata 1.6 in my 442 chassis. Originally, I planned to buy a cheap E-bay stainless header system and modify it to fit my car. After further thought, I decided it might be just as easy to build a header from scratch. I have been looking far and wide for a stainless header flange for the 1.6, to no avail. There are plenty in mild steel and also for the 1.8 engine, but I haven't been able to find one for the 1.6 in stainless. Does anyone here know where I might find such a beast? Help please.

Why stainless? The factory mild steel flange is extremely robust. I just cut off the primaries and port matched the flange with a die grinder. I've had no issues with leaking. ( though I must confess with the exhaust pipe 2 feet from my left ear it's not like I'd be able to tell anyway. . .

Actually, I hadn't thought of that. For some reason, I had assumed the stock exhaust manifold was cast iron. I know, I know, never assume. Thanks for the advise. That may be the answer.

'99 and '00 Miatas had cast iron manifolds. Stay away from those.

The early miata manifold is quite good. If simplicity is your goal, use it in the beginning.

To clarify, I can't use the stock Miata manifold as is because the downpipe gets way too close to my master cylinders, so I need to re-route the primary tubes. I can fabricate a mild steel header system without much trouble, but I haven't been able to locate a stainless flange to use if I decide to fabricate a stainless system. It seems to me that a stainless system would be preferable because it would not have to be painted or chromed, which would be rather expensive.

I went the high temp stove paint route in flat black, I like the way it came out. I think they have silver as well which would get you close to 'chrome' look for cheap, but it's still not the real deal. I used mild steel mandrel bent tube from Speedway. My header adventure starts here if you're curious:

viewtopic.php?f=35&t=2269&start=255

Those look great. Thanks for the advise.

Mild steel is widely used for flanges on stainless systems as it saves money, does the job, and warps much less. Most don't worry about some rust as it sits against the motor and isn't a big visual impact. You can also build it, then tape the primaries just behind the flange welds, and apply one of those silver or black exhaust paints. Use 309 rod to weld SS to mild if you do.

Nice headers indeed rust_bucket.

FYI black anything will shed heat a heck of a lot faster than any of that shiny stuff. Actually the darker the color the better it seems to shed heat. ..
Of course that may not be the best thing if your exhaust is up close to your feet and hydraulic systems. Then a wrap might be appropriate.