Questions about Preparing a Turbo Manifold

[wannawangan]

I just got an XS Power (SSAC) top mount turbo manifold for my S13 KA24DE. I want to prep the manifold to account for heat expansion.

What are some of the recommended applications I should do to prevent damage from heat expansion?

According to Maximum Boost by Corky Bell, the area of the manifold flange between each runner needs to be cut. He also suggests that "making the bolt holes progressively larger" from the middle of the manifold to both ends.

Thanks for your help and I can't wait to join the KAT ranks!

[kornaz]

Buy a quality stuff, no SSauto.

[wannawangan]

I just bought the manifold and will use it. My budget doesn't allow me to "buy a quality stuff".

[lrb_2000]

I just bought the manifold and will use it. My budget doesn't allow me to "buy a quality stuff".

Exactly, there's nothing wrong with ssac....

I have a revhard, and had the same procedures that you mention done to mine before I bought it, so I would assume it would pertain to your manifold as well.

[wannawangan]

I will have to find a machine shop that will do this for me. I have marked off the sections I will have cut.

[srblacks131]

I have one too and it kept cracking so i gave it to my friend and he brought it too work and did some stuff. i dont have any pics but i can explain. basically he welded gussets onto it. braces from the T3 flange to the runner flange. he welded 2 on there, they are about 1.5 inchs wide and 1/8 inch thick. he also welded the pipes together at the bottom, where they curve in the u shape. did that to prevent vibration. it works great now, havent had any mroe issues

[wannawangan]

I'd like to see the work done. Especially where the bottom parts of the pipes that were welded together. My plan is to have two 1/4", round steel support bars welded to the side of the T3 flange. The other part of the bars will be welded to the flange. I've seen this "truss system" applied to an aftermarket SR top mount and it looked fairly solid. I like that design since it diverts much of the weight of the turbo and the engine torque on the whole manifold and not just on the pipes. Fortunately, I also have a factory welded gusset already in place. It connects the T3 flange to the exhaust flange. But, with the additional work, I know that I will have a fairly sold piece to work with.

[wannawangan]

Found a link from a NICO member. Take a look at the Wasabi Garage T25 manifold he has pictured. I plan on having the reinforcement bars welded in place. Free bump for this guy!

zerothread?id=161332

[SeanC]

just a quick question. but how are all of you welding your SSAC manifolds? mig? tig? or...?

[teddy]

just a quick question. but how are all of you welding your SSAC manifolds? mig? tig? or...?

Stainless steel typically requires tig welding. It is possible to MIG it, but I wouldn't do it.

[Florida240sx]

If you can't afford quality parts then you shouldn't be boosting your car. Because if you can afford a quality part then you probably can't afford to buy a new engine when that unquality part breaks. Yes it may be fine, but do things right the first time.Just take a grinder/sawzall and divide the flanges.

[Tulsa_S-13]

Actually the China made bottom mount t2 flanged manifold isn't bad, but I do suggest slotting the flange. The runners are made of stainless steel while the flanges are possilby mild steel? So they will have different expansion rates. I recently picked one up as my manifold of choice. The reason for this was simple: No manufacturer makes a quality bottom mounted T2 flanged manifold for the KA.

I am by no way going "cheap" on my KA-T setup, there were just no other manifold options that allow me to use the turbo while still retaining the SR compatibility.

For those curious here what my setup is looking like so far:SR20DET T25Megan Racing exhaust elbow and downpipeDSM 1G BOVHybrid SR20DET FMICTurboXS MBCDeatchwerks 370cc injectorsApexi SAFC I or IIJGS Oil line kit

Not to mention once I get hold of a Garrett GT28RS this setup is going to kickass PLUS if I ever feel like swapping in an SR I'll have a decent setup for that aswell.

[wannawangan]

I will be going to see what can be done to reinforce the manifold.