Good Aftermarket CA18 Exhaust Mani?

[Izento]

What are some good brands for the CA that have good fitment and don't crack?

I've heard several bad things about SSAutoChrome, so I don't want to go that route.
Godspeed makes one, but......yeah.

ISIS also makes one, so that is what I am leaning towards right now since that is a good up and coming brand.
Does anyone have experience with the ISIS manifold? Did it fit great? And also, custom is a last resort as that would be quite expensive.

Oh, and I also found an austrailian dealer that supplies CA manifolds and it seems the tubing is thicker SUS321 vs ISIS SUS304 (at least I think it's thicker, if that's what those numbers mean). Has anyone purchased this? http://driftshop.com.au/

I read the FAQ about the exhaust manifolds, but it only covered the Autochrome.

Thanks as always.

[float_6969]

I have an SSAutoCrap sitting on a shelf in the garage. Had it on the car for years and beat the crap out of it. It never cracked. The only reason it's not on there now is because I went to a Top Mount.

If you want to try it, I'd sell it for CHEAP.

Be aware that the SSAC manifold was designed to work with their O2 pipe and downpipe though. If you use something else, it will hit the frame rail.

[themadscientist]

321 is a better alloy. All the old cracktastic Greddy manifolds were 304. I am a strong advocate for cast iron manifolds. If your goals are not over 300hp, there's not a lot of reason to get away from the factory manifold and properly-sized internal wastegate turbo. It's not sexy, but it gets the job done, is pretty well laid out and is fire and forget. Bolt it on and never think about it again.

[Izento]

Good info. Yeah, it's not something I am set on getting, but since my next upgrade is a turbo, I figured why the hell not. And my goals are over 300, but I suppose I would never have to worry about cracking with the stock cast manifold, and it's not like I will be making near 300 anytime soon.

[themadscientist]

If it was an RB, yeah, ditch that thing, but the CA is a pretty nice unit. The gaskets are a weakness, though, and I think somebody makes some tougher aftermarket units. Drop a nice Garrett BB 3071R on it and you will be set.

[Izento]

Haha, you caught me. I've had my eye on the 3071R, but I have been contemplating the ISIS RS3871 since it's been getting good reviews and for the price brand new, I wouldnt have to worry about getting a used 3071R that might have bad seals or something.

[themadscientist]

I refuse to buy a used BB turbo. It's too risky. Pay more on the front end and get peace of mind and likely a cheaper cost when rebuilding or replacing a grenaded used one is figured in. A used bushing type is easily and cheaply rebuilt, but too much can go wrong with a mystery BB turbo. If you see it running on the engine before it's sold to you, great, but some picture on an Egay auction is not good enough.

[float_6969]

If you're really worried about the stock manifold holding you back, have it extrude honed.

[themadscientist]

I would worry about it f*** up the scroll divider.

[float_6969]

Don't. IIRC the amount of material removed is less than a 1/32". It's more of a polishing process than a porting process.

[mdb4879]

What about for the 400whp mark? Would an extrude honed stock manifold do the trick? Or is there just no way?

[Izento]

Extrude honing is more expensive than buying an aftermarket piece from what I saw around the interwebs.

[float_6969]

What about for the 400whp mark? Would an extrude honed stock manifold do the trick? Or is there just no way?

If there is a T2 flanged turbo that will support 400whp, then an extrude honed stock manifold should be up to the task as well.

Extrude honing is more expensive than buying an aftermarket piece from what I saw around the interwebs.

Where are you getting a QUALITY, DIVIDED, turbo manifold for less than $500 that you KNOW won't crack (I've never seen a cracked, stock CA18DET manifold)?

Everything out there is 4-1 (undivided) and long runner, but equal length. The stock is un-equal, but 4-2, and short runners. I can tell you from first hand experience, going from the stock manifold, to an equal length cost me at least 500 rpm in spool on the stock T2 turbo, a HUGE loss in HP/TQ off boost, and the gain in the top end was negligible. Maybe if I was making 400hp, it might be worth the loss in bottom end for the gain in top end, but you're not gonna see it on stock cams regardless.

Extrude honed cast iron manifolds are HARD to beat unless you're making BIG numbers or have no concern for loss in bottom end power, or you have unlimited funds to throw at a custom made, equal length, paired runner, tubular manifold.

[beans33]

My ebay top mount manifold cracked 3 times. If you can find someone that can weld, just make one. I have right under 150 bucks in mine.

[ser20det]

My ebay top mount manifold cracked 3 times. If you can find someone that can weld, just make one. I have right under 150 bucks in mine.

How does it spool compare to the stock one ?

[themadscientist]

It's a pretty sharp-bending log type so I would expect less flow, but those runners are pretty big, it might flow as well or better simply because of the volume.

[float_6969]

Log manifolds usually spool quickly, so I'd be willing to bet it spools more quickly than the tubular eGhey mani that it replaced. I'm just speculating though.

[beans33]

I havent driven the car with it on yet. Ill let ya know, should be soon!

[ser20det]

I guess running an external wg is probably increasing response as well ...

[float_6969]

Why would an EWG increase response?

[louiswun]

I'm from Hong Kong,
I'm using SSAC SS manifold since May 2006, I'm using a China made turbo that the EXACTLLY same as ISIS 3871, ( a China friend help me to buy it) and I'm EWG it too.
I know that the SS manifold is China made, but I brought it from ebay,
by the time I brought it, there is no local seller selling China made parts.
I know that China made SS manifold is quite easy to crack, so I use a thick piece of SS bar to brace it,
it works fine and no crack and today 2012 I'm still using it,
I have been using 2 X S14/S15 stock turbo on it with no problem,
In 2011, I have upgrade the turbo to ISIS 3871, it is renamed turbo from China,
but it works very well...if you EWG it,
I have found that if i DO NOT EWG it, it can't boost over 15psi and will drop back on hi rev,
The problem is on the round interrnal flip door swing angle VS external push bar posistion angle ....something like flip door swing angle VS accuator rod travel length
(the bar that link and welded to the flip door, and with a small pole for joining the accuator rod end with a C clip)
The angle it weld to the flip door is 30 degree off, let say if it is a clock, flip door pointing at 6 o'clock, the push bar is pointing 4 o'clock, the accoator is locate under 9 o'clock.
once it build up enought exhause back pressure, it push open the flip door,
try to think if the flip door pointing at 5 o'clock , the push bar pointing at 3 o'clock, and the rod travel is almost 0, the flip door movement is not well control by the accuator spring pressure.
I have compare the push bar weld angle, to a genuine garrett S15 turbo, they are different, I know that If I cut the bar and re-weld it, it will works fine, but the accuator mount might need to redo, the accuator need to be seated to a upper position, and I want to try EWG, so I go EWG.
the accuator it comes with is around 7 psi, I have tried upgrade the accuator to a 15psi accuator, it didn't works.
So I make it EWG, and it works much better than the standard internal accuator set up, boost come eariler.
and keep steady , keep until it hit rev cut.

The ISIS 3871, I heard that is good up to 1.5 bar of boost, I have been running at 1.4 bar on my CA18,
One of my friend in China, he had a S14 SR20DET drift car, mod the ISIS 3871 to a top mount manifold, runing at 1.2 bar with a lot of abuse, always hitting the rev limiter,
the ISIS 3871 finally got cold start smoke after a year of abuse, and he can return the turbo to the factory for rebuilt free.


Photos of 2006 set up, new SS manifold with S15 stock turbo








Photos of ISIS RS3871 with it's standard internal accuator
See the swing bar angle different from the stock S15 turbo ?








Photos of 2011 setup, still that old SS manifold with ISIS 3871 turbo, 38mm EWG.




















My frind S14 SR20DET with the ISIS 3871 mod to top mount

[240Clarke]

Very knowledgeable as always, Louis. This is Tyler from FB by the way.