LHD RB turbo dump/elbow

[Neejay]

How come there aren't any companies making LHD RB20/25 turbo elbows? I mean, the swap has been done for years but yet there still lacks options. I've been in contact with someone to try and eventually acquire an AM-Performance elbow/downpipe combo.

The only easy/definite option I see is the $200 Syko turbo elbow to use with an SR20 downpipe. And I'm talking about direct bolt-on replacement, not customizing or buying an ebay one and customizing.

If I'm overlooking any companies, please correct/inform me.

[240z4u]

mckinney makes one I think?

[Neejay]

mckinney makes one I think?

They make a downpipe, and so does Top Hat, but I'm more so talking about turbo elbows.

[Coolwhip]

Because mounting these engines are custom placement.

Regardless of how close all these mount kits get your motor to sit, there are variances from car to car = no oem dead same spot from chassis to chassis.

There are LHD downpipes but they are mount specific for the most part.

Top Hat, McKinney, Syko, etc. all have their solution with THEIR kit.

But here is the ringer, once someone decides to make a "RB swap Downpipe" (which I was debating on doing), once someone's doesn't fit, not because of a bad duplication of the original pipe from a manufacturing stand point but because of a difference in their motor placement.

This turns into a thread titled, "XX company's downpipe issues" or "XX company's downpipe fitment sucks"

and a hay day goes over it. And of course the rep of that product goes down. Screw that.

But yes, for the most part the motor should be pretty much same location as most kits put them and should see no problem by having one downpipe fits all solution.

However, the elbow is the main issue of fouling against the steering column rather the downpipe.

Hope my rant isn't taking harshly but rather what it is, a rant.

[Coolwhip]

crap you guys reply faster than i could finish typing, haha :p

[Neejay]

Coolwhip: Good points, especially about the downpipe. But shouldn't the elbow still be semi-universal?

[Coolwhip]

not exactly, same rule.

You can make an elbow that avoids the steering column but where it places the flange (to the dp) could be placed in a million places. And a custom downpipe would still need to be made.

To anticipate your next question. Why don't they just make the elbow to fit up to a readily available downpipe (read SR20)?

Because the mounting location of the engine story again. Plus the price that a company would need to ask for such a piece would be posted up on forums everywhere as, "rip off" crap like that. Like in the other thread of the Syko elbow being flamed for it's $200 price tag.

But the best part about it all, is that regardless of what price X elbow is or Y elbow is, you can always get one custom made and call those rip off as much as anyone wants, but take heed that the more products in the market for RB's the better for everyone else.

[Neejay]

Very well explained. Makes sense. Gotcha.

[Darius]

I thought Megan and Syko both made one.

[cdorhout]

I'm very happy with my Syko elbow. It clears by a mile in my S14 with McKinney mounts. Excellent quality and bolts up to a cheap downpipe (Megan SR20)

[Neejay]

I thought Megan and Syko both made one.

Not that I've seen or am aware of.

[Neejay]

I'm very happy with my Syko elbow. It clears by a mile in my S14 with McKinney mounts. Excellent quality and bolts up to a cheap downpipe (Megan SR20)

Yeah, I'm still kinda thinking about it.

I already have a SR 3" downpipe. My other $40 alternative is for the SR downpipe flange to be cut and rewelded to mate with the stock, grinded down turbo elbow.

[Coolwhip]

hey chad, did you experience boost creep with installing the Syko elbow?

On a factory vaccume setup (w/o boost solanoid) we saw the boost creep over 10+psiafter the syko elbow install.

This was on a 25 S2 with a Greddy IM, FMIC, and GTSpec Exhaust.

[cdorhout]

hey chad, did you experience boost creep with installing the Syko elbow?

On a factory vaccume setup (w/o boost solanoid) we saw the boost creep over 10+psiafter the syko elbow install.

This was on a 25 S2 with a Greddy IM, FMIC, and GTSpec Exhaust.

No, surprisingly. And I'm running GT3076R on stock manifold too. I didn't have any boost creep at 20psi even. I did experience some when i went to 25lbs though. Not necessarily boost creep, but a non-linear boost curve, it was kinda unpredictable.

HKS 3" exhaust, Megan 3" DP

[Neejay]

i still think 200 bucks is a complete waste on a turbo elbow

just grind it and get a sykline dp.

i just had to just an inch out of my 3" greddy skyline dp and weld it back together. fits perfect now

So you just used a R33/RB25 downpipe and had to cut out 1" and it bolted up to the stock positioned exhaust?

If that's the case, I might as well just get this guy to cut, adjust, and reweld my SR 3" downpipe flange for $40.

What kind of gain is had from using an aftermarket elbow vs. stock elbow?

[Coolwhip]

freeing up the exhaust flow. same concept as a bigger downpipe, CAT, or cat-back.

I believe there are postive gains from using an properly designed elbow. The cast isn't smooth and causes disturbance in the gas flow. Plus the shapes and the size is more restrictive than it's aftermarket counterpart.

Either route your golden as long as your not using the steering column as an engine mount. :P

[Neejay]

I've found one similar to the AM-Performance one, but not sure how close it is to where it'd fit LHD:

[dohclover]

i didnt have a problem with my elbow or down pipe fitting it sit there like the motor is suppose to be in there

[Neejay]

i didnt have a problem with my elbow or down pipe fitting it sit there like the motor is suppose to be in there

With what mounting setup?

[Neejay]

I ended up scoring a Syko Performance elbow for $100 shipped (used of course, but in perfect condition). So this will mate with my SR20 downpipe. I'm good now.

[placham]

For $100 that's a steal, nice find. , your going to love it. Did you get hardware with it. New set only comes with directions (with picture). Bolts that go into turbo, and I think 3 bolts that go onto downpipe. You should have 2 bolts that go onto turbo that are 12pt 10mm, they are the middle ones, go across from each other. Your defenately going to need these 2bolts. If I remember you use 4 out of 6 original bolts, 2 at top and 2 at bottom. Reuse turbo gasket. Or maybe there is 4 bolts and 2 nuts on turbo, IIRC.

I bough a SYKO Performance elbow, for $215 shipped, looks top quality item, fitment was perfect. Did it on the car with motor installed. Was a PITA to remove old elbow. had to use combination of ratchet and wrenches 12mm,13mm, and 1/2". Work space is limited for turning wrench or ratchet.

On S13 I'm using r32 xmember that came with my RB20, stock turbo, and stock RB20 mounts. Clears the steering shaft by about 1/2 to 3/4", I also bought a 3" Sr20 downpipe and test pipe on ebay (cheapest set). Works like a charm, Syko is one of few that make a full 3" elbow, if that's what your looking for. This runs to my Blitz exhaust.

After installing elbow, looks like there is little bit more room between engine and elbow, and puts O2 sensor little bit higher. Noticed this because my O2 and MAF wires are not extended yet, so it has more slack now with this elbow.

I was going to buy an elbow off of ebay, but for like 115 bucks more, you can get so much better quality and fitment part.