Can having a new exhaust fitted damage the inlet manifold?

It is highly unlikely that having a new exhaust fitted would cause damage to the inlet manifold. The inlet manifold is located on the engine and is responsible for distributing air and fuel to the engine's cylinders. The exhaust system, on the other hand, is responsible for removing exhaust gases from the engine and does not directly interact with the inlet manifold.

However, if the exhaust system is not properly installed or if there are issues with the exhaust manifold (which is part of the exhaust system, not the inlet manifold), it could potentially affect the performance of the engine and indirectly cause issues with the inlet manifold.

For example, if an exhaust manifold is cracked or leaking, it could cause the engine to run lean (not enough fuel) and could lead to issues with the inlet manifold, such as increased temperatures or warping of the manifold.