Exhaust Manifolds (Help!)

[blaster17363]

I will be installing a GT2871R in my car in January.

Before that happens I need to buy a new exhaust manifold since the previous owner bought an ebay manifold and it is now cracked.

I really don't want to spend a lot on just one piece of the exhaust since I need to buy everything from the mani to the catback.

Is the megan racing one any good? Are there any other ones around that price range worth mentioning? Should I just save up and go for a tomei?

Any replies appreciated as always

[pauliedrft]

megan will be fine i would use exhaust wrap on it to keep engine temps down .

[blaster17363]

The only thing I am concerned about is the manifold cracking. If somebody has the megan and can give me a review of it that would be awesome.

[boro drift]

I've been running a Megan manifold and elbow for two years on my daily driver with zero problems.

[DuckyD]

I had a Megan manifold and elbow. Did a track event and made that mani glow red. After that I kept blowing 4-bolt gaskets, come to find out I warped the manifold. Went to change the 4bolt and the studs on the elbow were seized and generally unusable.

I am back on stock manifold and elbow and happy as can be.

Opinions are like .... well we know the saying. I would say most bottom mount manifolds are the same (with the exception of maybe a Tomei Expreme). So go with brand preference. You might want to look at getting good Grade-8 hardware with whatever cheap manifold you go with.

[blaster17363]

I was looking at the expreme however $600 is pretty steep for just the manifold.

The car is daily driven, with spirited driving here and there. Expecting about 300hp after the turbo is in. I really dont want to have the manifold crack on me however $600 is a lot :s

I have a while to make my decision but keep the replies coming

[S14toRPS13]

If you're worried about cracking, why not just run a stock manifold. I'm sure you'll be able to find one in the classifieds or ebay for a good price.

[duffman1278]

stock for like 50$

[pauliedrft]

I had a Megan manifold and elbow. Did a track event and made that mani glow red. After that I kept blowing 4-bolt gaskets, come to find out I warped the manifold. Went to change the 4bolt and the studs on the elbow were seized and generally unusable.

I am back on stock manifold and elbow and happy as can be.

Opinions are like .... well we know the saying. I would say most bottom mount manifolds are the same (with the exception of maybe a Tomei Expreme). So go with brand preference. You might want to look at getting good Grade-8 hardware with whatever cheap manifold you go with.

And w2hat were you a/f ratio's during said track event ???? sounds like you were running a little lean

[blaster17363]

If I'm going to be upgrading to a bigger turbo I might as well run an aftermarket manifold right? Won't the stock manifold bottleneck my turbo? Spool it slower? Flow less?

[DuckyD]

And w2hat were you a/f ratio's during said track event ???? sounds like you were running a little lean

At the first event where I warped the manifold, I did not have a wideband and could not tell you. I think it was more of a result of the whole motor getting hot and having cooling issues. I rebuilt the engine not long after that.

Though at subsequent events, I have made the stock mani glow as well. With an Innovate XD-16 wideband I was running around 11:1 AFR's at lower RPMs leaning out to 12:1 up top in WOT. Again, having cooling issues (no air ducting). This "track" in Orlando is mostly point-and-shoot type course and was all 2nd gear with very little straights. Heres a crappy video, towards the beginning I am shooting sparks from my brakes --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c9oMe3LMPk

[rc1honda]

If I'm going to be upgrading to a bigger turbo I might as well run an aftermarket manifold right? Won't the stock manifold bottleneck my turbo? Spool it slower? Flow less?

No No, heat and exhaust gases help a turbo spool faster. A 2871r turbo will respond very well with a stock cast iron manifold. The heat that the manifold retains will actually help spool the turbo fastet, and will maybe flow a little less at higher engine speeds and boost pressures.

It's the classic log type manifild vs. tubular manifold argument. Tubular manifold promote flow very well but do not retian the heat a log type maniflod would. And heat helps a turbo to spool faster. But the log type can be restictive with high boost and might not flow as much at the same boost pressure as it would with a tubular.

I see it this way. You going to have a T2 turbo then just use the stock. If you going to a t3 or bigger then get a aftermarket manifold. The stock one will help keep the car responsive and it will never crack.

[blaster17363]

I have the stock manifold in my garage.

I guess I'll be using that and if I am unhappy with it it's always possible to buy an aftermarket one.I just want the new turbo installed I've been waiting for like a month.

Thanks for all the replies you saved me $600