I had/have crack in my 2003 V8 manifold. It comes as one piece with the cat. Last year I was also quoted over 1000$. I think it was more like 1500/1600$

I had lots of work done on my cars at a garage/muffler place around the corner. Got to be friendly with the owner as he wanted to start doing some offroading too but didn't know where the trails were....bingo........I did..... so we chatted a little more....

And....he offered to do the repair old school. He pulled it off, and welded shut the crack. Apparently that's how they did it in the old days and none of the young guns know to to do that, or want to do that yadayadayada...Anyway...

He also noticed that it had already been done before. My truck was second hand. So who knows.....

Anyways, it lasted about year. I hear it again now. But only when it starts up, and Ihear nothing on the inside while driving. But he did tell me it would get me by for about a year. Maybe this could be an alternative to hold off paying the 1500$ right away. This worked for me. No inspections to pass where I live. So can't say if it would pass or not. But noise is minimal.