Hackin' a manifold...

[KATwo40]

Like WD already mentioned for himself, I too am considering purchasing one of those Ebay $100 bottom mount T2 manifolds and modifying it to fit my new T3/T04E, which doesn't clear my brake cylinder now.

So, let's hear some advice. Anyone running this manifold care to step outside to their car and imagine a T3/T04E with a .50 A/R compressor housing sitting under the mani? Does it look like it might clear everything?

I'm figurin', I'll have to drill a hole in the collector and put in a little wastegate tube for a remote mount gate.

Suggestions?

[WDRacing]

I was looking at some pictures both on and off of a car. We're golden dude. I'm simply welding my T3 flange on top of the T2 flange and porting out the rest. Nice and easy, plus you can angle the T3 flange how ever you want to align the DP and clear anything in the way. Drilling a hole and welding a pipe for the WG is simple. Hurry up with yours so I can copy it or correct whatever you mess up...lol

[KATwo40]

Also, thinkin' about hackin' the flange off my topmount, shimming the driver's side up about half an inch and rewelding it. That would clock the turbo over a bit.

[WDRacing]

I dunno, doesn't that preload the entire drivetrain? Not to mention that mani is so UGLY.

[Chezedik]

My $.02:

It is a good looking mani (unless you got rid of the SSAC) and the hockey pucks do work like a dream. It just takes 5 pux and 2 bolts. Total cost for new motor mounts = about $7.50.

[WDRacing]

I like the Bottom mount myself...way easier to fab a DP also.

[KATwo40]

I have a friend with a bottom mount for the KA. Since his is blown up (silly man tried to run 15psi on a big T28 with 370's and SAFC lol), I might ask to borrow it for test fitment. Then, I'll just hack it up and buy him a new one.

[KATwo40]

My $.02:

It is a good looking mani (unless you got rid of the SSAC) and the hockey pucks do work like a dream. It just takes 5 pux and 2 bolts. Total cost for new motor mounts = about $7.50.

How much do the hockey pucks raise the engine? I need to clock this bugger about 1" toward the passenger side.

[KATwo40]

I dunno, doesn't that preload the entire drivetrain? Not to mention that mani is so UGLY.

How would re-indexing the turbo flange preload the valvetrain?

One other idea...what if I flip the topmount I currently have over? The bolt pattern is the same upside down.

Hmmm, I might go look at that in the morning when it's daylight.

[WDRacing]

I mean cranking one side of the motor man, not the flange...lol. I was just thinking about the transmission sitting twisted etc.

[KATwo40]

Yeah, I'm not too hip on crankin' the engine up on one side myself.

[WDRacing]

Dude, you might as well try "our" little plan...

[KATwo40]

Don't you find this ironic? I'll blow money on turbos left and right, making sure I get a good unit, not some turd knockoff, then skimp out on the manifold, trying to get by on nickels and dimes.

I love it!

[tvmendoza]

what about these adapter? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

Is it a good idea or is it better to weld????

[WDRacing]

Well, one is a non-moving piece of steel...the other moves at 90,000 rpm...money well spent if you ask me brofly.

You could buy a fullrace mani, or the SSAC. The SSAC saves you enough money to buy a Nitrous Express Kit...or Methonal injection kit...or some Drag Radials...need I go on.

B

[redtop91]

Do you know of anyone running the Full Race manis? How are they?

[WDRacing]

Some of the best made...PERIOD.

[KATwo40]

what about these adapter? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWDVW

Is it a good idea or is it better to weld????

I'm a bit skeptical about this product. They don't mention it's construction (i.e. what's it made of?) and it's pretty tall. That would definitely take up space in the engine bay, and might cause clearance issues. I don't think a large T3/T4, with that adapter, would fit under the T2 bottom mount.

I'm going to get one of the T2 bottom mount units and do some test fitting/fabbing on the engine I just pulled from the car. That will save a LOT of headache, having the engine out of the car. Once I'm finished, I'll post up a full article on it. Heck, I might start offering it as a product.

[crzycav86]

The SSAC t2 manifold is a tight fit even with the t25.

I don't think WD's idea of just hacking off the t2 flange and welding/porting a t3 will work out too well.

you're probably better off modifying your top mount turbo manifold to clear the brake lines. it's probably way easier.

[KATwo40]

The SSAC t2 manifold is a tight fit even with the t25.

I don't think WD's idea of just hacking off the t2 flange and welding/porting a t3 will work out too well.

Even if I use a really big hammer?

Seriously, for the time being, I'm gonna try to modify the topmount. However, I'll do some prototype stuff with the bottom mount and take my time. Like I said, I can do some test fitting on this spare engine. Might have to get some of the tubes re-bent (have some machinist friends) to move it out away from the block an inch or so.

[crzycav86]

go for it man. it's a super cheap manifold anyway, so if it doesn't work out, it's not gonna set you back. let us know how it goes.

[Chezedik]

The height of the motor doesn't seem to have changed. I know that with the SSAC top mount and my turbo, the oil line still clears the strut bar (I wouldn't have been able to keep it with the old Nismo mounts). So it works fine. My only concern will be life of the Trans mount, but I have the JGS kit that uses a SBC mount from Energy, which is only 24 bux at Orielly. So what if it fails early. Point is I now have clearance.

[klattr1]

did you try shimming the master cylinder some (one of the bolts between it and the brake booster)?

that gave ALOT of clearance on my car between the turbine housing and master cylinder/brake lines.

[KATwo40]

did you try shimming the master cylinder some (one of the bolts between it and the brake booster)?

that gave ALOT of clearance on my car between the turbine housing and master cylinder/brake lines.

Already did that with the previous turbo. LOL I know EXACTLY what the problem is. This new turbo is a Garrett internals unit with cheap-o chinese housings. So, the offset (side to side, not front to rear) is a bit different.

I'm pickin' up a beater truck today so I can park this car for a bit and do it right. Everything so far has been done correctly and in detail. I hate to start doin' emergency hack-n-whack stuff on it now.

[Chezedik]

I can understand, you would hate to blow up the only car that makes one meeeellion horsepowah.

[WDRacing]

I love the hack and wack...wait, what are we talking about?

Cheze...do you ever get on AIM?

[Chezedik]

Not often, and tonight probably won't be much of an exception. I have to work a party tonight, but maybe when I get home.

[WDRacing]

What exactly do you do? Male Stripper?

[KATwo40]

I have to work a party tonight...

Bowwwompchikibommbom...wikitiki...chikibowwow...

[WDRacing]

That dudes so cool I added him to my sig...