AMS manifolds fitment

[cliffe5]

Hi everyone,

I went out and got a pair of AMS manifolds as a "while you're in there" upgrade on my twin turbo engine rebuild. The problem I am having is getting the turbos (oem / stock turbos) to mount up to the new manifolds. If I do NOT include the stock manifold heat shields, the turbo will "fit" - I put fit in quotations because I dont know how I feel about how close the turbo housing is to the unshielded exhaust manifold (see pics below).

If I put the heat shield on the manifold, there is no way the turbo will fit due to the upper air inlet pipe hitting the heat shield.

I have tried massaging it into fitment every which way imaginable. At this point I am thinking my only options are to either go without a heat shield or cut something (manifold, heatshield, turbo air inlet). Has anyone else ever ran into this?

Any and all suggestions appreciated. Thanks.

Fitment without heatshield.


With heatshield (view 1)


With heatshield (view 2)


With heat shield (view 3)

[NolimitZ32]

Not sure about this combo, never tried it, easy solution would be to clock the compressor housing slightly, you need your oil drain to point straight down (ideally), so clocking the compressor would be my goto.

[KDS_cars]

Not sure about this combo, never tried it, easy solution would be to clock the compressor housing slightly, you need your oil drain to point straight down (ideally), so clocking the compressor would be my goto.

Agreed. would be your best bet. other than this i'm not sure if there is much other options. maybe grind down the manifolds for more clearance for the heat shield? not the A-game though and you'd have to be very careful not to pull to much away.

[DCaff300ZX]

For the record, this is another reason to avoid AMS beyond their shady business practices of which they are WELL-known...but then again this kind of crap IS their practice: to copy others' stuff poorly, and with no regard to fitment or actual quality leaving the purchaser in limbo and generally needing to replace all of the AMS crap.
Tough way to learn, and why it's important to do research and consider more than costs in your work.

[cliffe5]

Well, for the record,

It sounds like you are pointing out such a noob mistake by me to purchase cheap manifolds. If this is your position you are completely wrong. I have done a ton of research prior to my current build, and these manifolds were specifically selected for their performance / durability / cost over any other readily available alternative - and I still stand by my choice with the heatshield fitment issue. It turns out on the AMS website they do mention cutting of the heatshield will be required to keep the stock ones in place (Z1's website didn't mention this).

I assume you believe the only manifold worth talking about are Mike Smiths, otherwise known as MSP exhaust manifolds... I admit, from everything I have been able to read about them sound great; with exception to the cost of course... But who cares if you can get a quality knockoff for $800 less, lets go with the originator! Oh wait, he stopped making them last year... So yeah.

Go ahead and tell everyone how bad AMS manifolds are and how bad of a company they are for using shady business practices - but until you start your own company and can produce a supply of Z32 TT manifolds that are of your own new and unique design (because you cant use the MSP design even though Mike Smith don't even make them anymore...) AND are readily available for purchase, I'll stand by my choice of AMS manifolds for my car.

[itsa300zx]

For the record, this is another reason to avoid AMS beyond their shady business practices of which they are WELL-known...but then again this kind of crap IS their practice: to copy others' stuff poorly, and with no regard to fitment or actual quality leaving the purchaser in limbo and generally needing to replace all of the AMS crap.
Tough way to learn, and why it's important to do research and consider more than costs in your work.

I'll echo this, AMS "performance" parts are garbage. Everyone of their branded parts are copies; I have yet to see an original design by them. In my mind, if they can't even copy a part to fit, hows the long term quality of the parts. I sure as hell don't want to pull an engine out again on my own dime for a failed part from them. I'm sure AMS warranty will not cover that. How can you trust that they sell OEM parts or just copies? BTW, Thanks for documenting how "crappy their parts truly are:)

[itsa300zx]

Well, for the record,

It sounds like you are pointing out such a noob mistake by me to purchase cheap manifolds. If this is your position you are completely wrong. I have done a ton of research prior to my current build, and these manifolds were specifically selected for their performance / durability / cost over any other readily available alternative - and I still stand by my choice with the heatshield fitment issue. It turns out on the AMS website they do mention cutting of the heatshield will be required to keep the stock ones in place (Z1's website didn't mention this).

I assume you believe the only manifold worth talking about are Mike Smiths, otherwise known as MSP exhaust manifolds... I admit, from everything I have been able to read about them sound great; with exception to the cost of course... But who cares if you can get a quality knockoff for $800 less, lets go with the originator! Oh wait, he stopped making them last year... So yeah.

Go ahead and tell everyone how bad AMS manifolds are and how bad of a company they are for using shady business practices - but until you start your own company and can produce a supply of Z32 TT manifolds that are of your own new and unique design (because you cant use the MSP design even though Mike Smith don't even make them anymore...) AND are readily available for purchase, I'll stand by my choice of AMS manifolds for my car.

And you understand that MSP stopped producing manifolds is because of companies like AMS and people who support them; right.

[amc49]

A careful hand grinding of both surfaces there would easily double that clearance. Maybe even possible to remove shield, grind a low in manifold then reform the heatshield local to the ground in dent to still keep it with no hole in it itself.

[cliffe5]

[quote=itsa300zx post_id=6767925

And you understand that MSP stopped producing manifolds is because of companies like AMS and people who support them; right.
[/quote]

Really? So are you saying I'm responsible for MSP not being produced anymore? Did you even read my post? They were discontinued last year. Get over it.

MSP manifolds no longer exist. If you want an aftermarket exhaust manifold, your choices are stock (used), ebay, or AMS. I chose AMS, if you would choose different good for you, but don't post up here saying AMS is the worst option out there for the 300ZX because that is just factually wrong.

Go ahead, show me a readily available quality alternative. Oh wait, there isn't one. Get over it or at least stop blaming (flaming) regular Z enthusiasts for upgrading their cars with the only options out there.

effin' trolls

[NolimitZ32]

http://www.ashspecz.com/shop/prodInfo2.php?prodID=74

https://conceptzperformance.com/msp-mik ... p_1443.php

1. There is plenty of conclusive research that the Ashspecs are by far the best performing manifold available.
2. MSP did in fact shut down production because the imitators were making theirs so cheap. Not at all the market's fault though, should've offered domestic and (economy) overseas options like SZ does with a lot of their stuff. Its a free market economy, cant blame the consumer for finding the best deal.

[itsa300zx]

[quote=itsa300zx post_id=6767925

And you understand that MSP stopped producing manifolds is because of companies like AMS and people who support them; right.

Really? So are you saying I'm responsible for MSP not being produced anymore? Did you even read my post? They were discontinued last year. Get over it.

MSP manifolds no longer exist. If you want an aftermarket exhaust manifold, your choices are stock (used), ebay, or AMS. I chose AMS, if you would choose different good for you, but don't post up here saying AMS is the worst option out there for the 300ZX because that is just factually wrong.

Go ahead, show me a readily available quality alternative. Oh wait, there isn't one. Get over it or at least stop blaming (flaming) regular Z enthusiasts for upgrading their cars with the only options out there.

effin' trolls
[/quote]

There are better options as No Limit posted. In addition, CZP has MSP in stock, although limited supply and cost $1495. Just have to be able to afford them.
The problem with companies like AMS is that it puts real innovators that develop the parts for ours cars out of business. Deters them from developing more in fear of more coping. Lets see if AMS can develop their own unique parts, LOL. Sorry no troll here.

[NolimitZ32]

Getting the thread back on track would be a good idea at this point. . . I will add one thing though as I mentioned previously; the free market works these things out, hence why a number of trends are cyclical.
MSP designs BAMF manifolds and sells them for a fortune.
AMS copies BAMF manifolds making a product that is by all means 95% as good and sells them for pennies.
MSP chooses not to adapt and gets ran out of business.
AMS no longer has innovators to copy and either goes out of business.
New innovator comes along and designs some BAMF stuff.
New copy cat comes along and copies new BAMF stuff.
New innovator can adapt or go out of business.
It is literally the stuff the American Dream is made of.

Don't want your stuff copied? Spend the money and patent. Can't patent? Adapt your business strategy.

I don;t want to sound like I am defending AMS and their business practices, but I am defending their completely legal and all in all acceptable way of doing things. Life ain't fair.

[itsa300zx]

Sorry for de-railing the topic, thanks for keeping us track.