Manifolds and Elbows: significant benefits?

[chickentendah]

Okay, so for those of you who have upgraded to an aftermarket manifold/elbow what performance benefits have you experienced?

And, if you could do it all over again, would you have just kept your stock manifold/elbow?

I'm debating whether spending a grand is really worth it...

Fire away!

[RMiller]

Definitely not worth it at the 250-300 hp level. It becomes more worth it the more power you're putting out. Could spend the money on a light driveshaft, pulleys, and flywheel instead and realize much, much, much more noticeable gains.

The elbow will add more noise as well, something you can probably live without.

[PurpleGodzilla]

I am in the same dilema. Some of the benefits that I see when you go with an aftermarket "top mount" manifold are:1. equal length (spool a little earlier)2. ease of access3. more access to different turbos in t3 and cheaper to buy

[RMiller]

I think he's talking about a bottom mount tubular manifold w/ a t25 flange. For big turbo upgrades I think it's a no-brainer to go top mount, even if it's not equal length.

[f150intally]

I will say an upgraded turbo outlet such as the greddy or hks style turbo outlet will have great benefits. think about it right now... your turbo is restricted by a 1-3/4" hole right now. You may be running a 3" exhaust but there is still a restriction on the turbo. Its fairly inexpensive.

[chickentendah]

I'm only aiming for a 300hp street/track car. It seems to be waste of $$$ to buy a manifold or elbow if it's only going to give me minimal performance benefits.

The big question is this: HOW MUCH will the turbo response get better with an aftermarket manifold + elbow?

Isn't there more bang for the buck if I just buy a bolt-on ball bearing turbo and keep the stock cast iron manifold + elbow?

[nissanrcer240]

That stock cast iron manifold is ugly as f***, it just makes the whole engine look crappy IMO. I got a $150 tubular manifold off ebay and I love it, looks great, as far as performance I cant really say it made a noticable difference, its seems to spool alot smoother. I put it on after fixing an exhaust leak right at the turbo and manifold so before it sounded like crap right before I put it on so it might just be my imagination.

[Def]

Good gains from an elbow, marginal(IMO) gains from a manifold. Especially given that a manifold has the chance to crack(if it's an SSautocrack, otherwise you spent more than a turbo upgrade on a bling-bling one), taking out your turbo with it.

The stock elbow has all sorts of obstructions in it, and it has a pretty small outlet.

[Nismo_Freak]

Dyno of 3" 02 Housing

The SS Autochrome manifolds don't really do much of anything. They increase lag and honestly there isn't much power lost to the stock exhaust manifold below 300whp.

[chickentendah]

That stock cast iron manifold is ugly as f***, it just makes the whole engine look crappy IMO.

I know! I'm really into a blinging engine bay, but I'd like to spend my money on function before aesthetics.

[chickentendah]

I think I'm going to save my $$$ for a better turbo. It appears manifold/elbow gains are meager at the 300hp level.

Thanks for the input people!

[spanishricer]

Well here's one exhaust manifold that is a considerable improvement over the factory log-type manifold...

http://wakesports.com/full-rac...c=415

I'll take 2 please

[Nismo_Freak]

Well here's one exhaust manifold that is a considerable improvement over the factory log-type manifold...

http://wakesports.com/full-rac...c=415

I'll take 2 please

Yes, and that car also has a GT3040R turbo... big difference compared to homeslices stocker.

[chickentendah]

Yes, and that car also has a GT3040R turbo... big difference compared to homeslices stocker.

Wait, so does this mean SIGNIFICANT gains due to aftermarket manifold are more or less dependent on the turbo we're using?

Do we know what kind of gains are possible goingfrom stock log manifold + S15 T28to Aftermarket tubular manifold + S15 T28?

[spanishricer]

Yes, and that car also has a GT3040R turbo... big difference compared to homeslices stocker.

True...but you can't use the top mount Full-Race manifold with the stock turbo, unless you re-flange it. Besides...who in their right mind would use an $1100 manifold with the stock T25 turbo. That'd be just plain silly

[spanishricer]

Do we know what kind of gains are possible goingfrom stock log manifold + S15 T28to Aftermarket tubular manifold + S15 T28?

Depends on the quality of the manifold and how much boost you're running on the T28

[pgt892]

True...but you can't use the top mount Full-Race manifold with the stock turbo, unless you re-flange it. Besides...who in their right mind would use an $1100 manifold with the stock T25 turbo. That'd be just plain silly

They have a bottom mount version out with the T25/28 flange. So if you want to get a GT25 series and the bottom mount full-race, you'd be sittin' pretty.

[RMiller]

Wait, so does this mean SIGNIFICANT gains due to aftermarket manifold are more or less dependent on the turbo we're using?

Do we know what kind of gains are possible goingfrom stock log manifold + S15 T28to Aftermarket tubular manifold + S15 T28?

W/ a full race, jic, hks, etc high quality manifold probably 10-15 hp using a t28. But you can either buy the manifold and gain 15 or a 2871r or similar turbo and get 60.

Note: my numbers are based neither on experience or fact. "It could've been my 6th, or maybe even 7th sense" that led me to my figures.

[Nismo_Freak]

Wait, so does this mean SIGNIFICANT gains due to aftermarket manifold are more or less dependent on the turbo we're using?

Do we know what kind of gains are possible goingfrom stock log manifold + S15 T28to Aftermarket tubular manifold + S15 T28?

I don't see 60whp of difference worth of restriction in the stock exhaust manifold. Honestly there is maybe a 20 - 30 whp gain in the manifold alone.

A good exhaust manifold is worth a fair amount of coin and a good upgrade though.

[valencia_ryan]

i had my car put on the dyno before and after my JIC exhaust manifold was put on . I gained 31 hp at the wheels. this is using a gt28rs.

[spanishricer]

i had my car put on the dyno before and after my JIC exhaust manifold was put on . I gained 31 hp at the wheels. this is using a gt28rs.

Believe me, I'm not calling you a liar or anything, but can you post up a dyno plot? I'm just curious to see where the power gains were made with a nice manifold, compared to stock...

[valencia_ryan]

Well i have found the Dyno sheet from after the JIC upgrade but cant seem to find my old one I will get my GF looking hehe i will keep ya updated

[wildacexxx]

i hear elbows help in turbo spool up. is there any difference between the elbows that have the divider and the ones that dont?