ca18det bottom and top mount Ex-manifolds

[Chinamandrift]

im searching for a good quality ex- manifold..

seems to be a bunch of them on the market ...makes it very hard to choose

i see top mounts and bottoms mounts....different flanges ...different tubular design.....

the flanges is easy ...depends which turbo im going to use.... BUT

1. what are the advantages and disadvantages of the top and bottom mount manifolds ??

2. what companies are producing good quality and reliable manifolds?

personally i wan to run a top mount manifold ....with a ball bearing turbo......and i like to run something similiar to the HKS GT25-10 or GT25-30.....it look as though the top mount would save some room in my engine bay .....im dropping the ca18det in my ae86

[float_6969]

Most bottom mounts are a T2 flange, most top mounts are a T3 flange. I think your power goals will determine what size turbo you need, which will dictate the type of turbo mani you'll need.

[themadscientist]

I don't think any JDM manifolds work for you guys right? Puts the downpipe right into the steering shaft? The HKS is bulletproof cast iron with the top-mount T4. The Greddy is stainless bottom-mount with that goofy Mitsu triangular flange.

[rico05]

Didn't Rookie_CA18 (or whatever his user name is, lol) get a GReddy one to work just fine? I know it was someone on here that did it...

The top mount is to allow enough space for a larger turbo (T3 frame or larger) and the bottom mount allows you to use smaller, bolt on turbos and all of the connections (oil and coolant lines, intake tube, exhaust) to all line up. A top mount necessitates all new hardware for the turbo, and the size of the compressor means you will need substantial modifications to the fueling, control, and rotating assembly to properly support and utilize the larger turbo.

SSAC makes decent bottom mounts, but I would be afraid of their top mounts. Honestly, unless you are building a trailer queen or monster, you really have no reason to go beyond the standard manifold. On a daily driver (which sees lots of heat cycling: ie driving in traffic, short runs to the grocery store, etc), the cast stock mani would last a LOT longer than a tubular manifold readily availible here in the states. I plan to port mine (gasket match) and have it ceramic coated in the spring as opposed to the SSAC manifold I was looking into. Sure, the SSAC is cheaper (~$100, where the coating will be ~$150) and easier (have to pull the stock mani, deliver it to the shop in Houston, wait 3-5 days without my car, then reinstall) but for me, it is the better option.

[float_6969]

I don't think any JDM manifolds work for you guys right? Puts the downpipe right into the steering shaft? The HKS is bulletproof cast iron with the top-mount T4. The Greddy is stainless bottom-mount with that goofy Mitsu triangular flange.

I think that if you use the correct CA18 NISMO (or stock I guess) motor mounts, the Greddy is supposed to just BARELY clear. I thought that mani had a problem with cracking at the downpipe connection though?

I would LOVE to get my hands on one of those HKS turbo mani's. Those things are nniiiiiccccceeee.

[rico05]

I have seen several GReddy manis with reinforcement or fix welds at the trbo flange. Seems that it is in fact an issue.

[Ca_laurier]

i had a trust one where the flange was changed to a t3. funny thing is when i got it the pipe fpr the waste gate got in the way and either you could run a internal waste gate or well, i guess thats all you could do.

great manifold, the way it was made was pure sex.

[Chinamandrift]

ive tried the SSAC with a GT25-10 ......it got more lag then the stock manifold .......but top end increased .......is there any aftermarket manifold that reduce lag?...or the stock one is the best?? i looked into the HKS and greddy ...and i didnt find any info ....is it on the japanese site?....... im scared i might have problems with my steering rack also ...like i said the motor is going into my Ae86 ..believe i have less room then the s13 chasis ... be nice if i can find a t25 flanged top mount ......or maybe if i can find a T3 turbo that ball bearing and similair to the gt25-10 or gt25-30

[float_6969]

Why don't you build one/have one built? You can fab up a log style manifold pretty eaisly. It won't flow as well on the top end as a equal length, but it should spool up very nicely.

[Not_a_sr]

im broke so now would be the time to hit me up for manifolds lol

Why don't you build one/have one built? You can fab up a log style manifold pretty eaisly. It won't flow as well on the top end as a equal length, but it should spool up very nicely.

[themadscientist]

Greddy manifold pretty much all crack. I have a FJ one that is riddled with them and my buddy's CA one was out of the car at least once a month getting rewelded. Flexpipes would help.

[Kouks]

im broke so now would be the time to hit me up for manifolds lol

hit me up at tcbrandt at bellsouth dot net, i might just be interested...

[Not_a_sr]

its liek 7am, I will email you saturday afternoon. i just got done tearing down a ca getting ready to install a evoIII manifold on it. I just have to do some final test fitting and finish welding and it will be done, ill get some more pictures of it.

jon

[Rookieca18det]

hey jon could you shoot me an email, I might be in need of a mani. I have a ssac now and i feel kinda nervous about mating it with the new turbo. [email protected]

[float_6969]

I am seriously contemplating having a stock cast mani extrude honed. It would still offer the paired runners to fight reversion, yet the extrude hone process would modify the manifold internally so that all of the runners would have constant flow velocities, even though they aren't equal length runners.

Unfortunatly it would end up being a $450 manifold, and I don't know how much better it would be than an SSAC, outside of the paired runners.

[beans33]

got my ssac top mount manifold to work....

[rotorific]

There are like 6 manifolds to choose from when it comes to EBAY companies, I did a search and post on 240sxforums recently. I personally got an SS/XS power manifold. All I have to say is that you get what you pay for.

It still doesnt fit right but there are folks that say theirs fit just right.

Id try another company other than SS/XS power. - Gabe

[Not_a_sr]

float spend a little more and i can build you a custom manifold. bottom or top mount t28?

I am seriously contemplating having a stock cast mani extrude honed. It would still offer the paired runners to fight reversion, yet the extrude hone process would modify the manifold internally so that all of the runners would have constant flow velocities, even though they aren't equal length runners.

Unfortunatly it would end up being a $450 manifold, and I don't know how much better it would be than an SSAC, outside of the paired runners.

[dat_twinkie]

not_an_sr how much would you charge to make one that isn't equal length... i would rather have one that isn't equal length for the quicker spool up... tomei uses this in their new ex manifold to reduce lag.

[Kouks]

MMM, sounds good, i was wanting a top mount t3 flange manifold. Equal length, tubular manifold. Lemme know, i stil havent gotten your email...

[float_6969]

float spend a little more and i can build you a custom manifold. bottom or top mount t28?

Prob bottom mount, how are you gonna pair the runners and make it equal length? That would be pretty nice mani. But if I'm gonna spend that kinda dough on a turbo mani, I'd prob want to upgrade to a T3/T4 anyway.

I prob need to quit screwing with the motor and start on the suspension....

[Not_a_sr]

Emails sent guys , sorry it took me longer then i thought ive been busy in the shop installing a 14b turbo setup on a ca18det coupe for a friend, he did most of the fab work with very little of my help just to see if he could do it. kinda teaching him a little at a time.

ryan, im not sure how i would do it, but im sure it would take me hours of work just to make it feasable. i might be buying a new toy after christmas to help in the mock up of manifolds. i really want to buy computer software, but its too expensive right now, and i struggle with photo shop i couldnt imagine a 3d cad program

[Chinamandrift]

that looks nice there ......which turbo is that ?? and which manifold is it?....BTW....just curious ...how much room do u have between the manifold/turbo and the driver strut tower?