SSAutochrome Manifold Problems

[WDRacing]

After examining one of their new T28 flanged manifolds, I decided to try one of their top mounts that they have which are flanged for a T3 or T4. Defects are as follows.

1, Where the runners merge into the collector, the welds are poor and runners protrude into the collector in several spots. Which will lead to hot spots and cracking.

2, The wastegate flange will need to be ported to improve flow.

3, The main flange will need to be cut between the runners to prevent cracking.

4, The biggest problem I have found with this manifold...THE TURBO DOESN'T FIT....PERIOD. I have 3 different turbo's in my shop, two T3's and one TO4. With the manifold installed none will even come close to fitting under the hood. I'm talking about inches not just a slight rub. The brake cylinder will have to be pushed back 2.5 inches alone. This manifold is listed to fit any and all models from 1991-2000. Well I suppose it does fir the head flange, but nothing else will work.

I haven't tried it onto a S13 yet, but I don't recommend this manifold. Save yourself the 20% restock fee and purchase another manifold.

WD

[chandler]

what about the botom mout ones though? for 250? I mean if its ok at least you can clean it up and make it better right? they claim that you can use the sr parts with the botom mount. If you find a good sized turbo for a KA and put it bottom mount, then have the SR outlets and down pipes? Or am I all screwed up? =)

[virus77]

c'mon guys leave ss autocrap alone, everyone keeps getting screwed with their manifolds and noone seems to learn anything. These guys have been giving problems for 3 years now from hondas to nissans and people still go back hoping that they have hks quality manifolds or something because the material is thicker and now they revised they design, bottom line, it sucks. If you want to purchase flanges or whatever else they sell, go ahead, but if you want an equal length header that looks tits and cost $300 somthing must be wrong or else it wouldnt be 300. save the trouble and get a log or even a revhard, they even have a better rep than SS.

[TrunkMonkey]

WD, is there any way you can post a pic of the collector?

when you say it doesn't fit, do you mean the hood won't close or does it hits the brake master cylinder?

-demetrius

[240driver39]

c'mon guys leave ss autocrap alone, everyone keeps getting screwed with their manifolds and noone seems to learn anything. These guys have been giving problems for 3 years now from hondas to nissans and people still go back hoping that they have hks quality manifolds or something because the material is thicker and now they revised they design, bottom line, it sucks. If you want to purchase flanges or whatever else they sell, go ahead, but if you want an equal length header that looks tits and cost $300 somthing must be wrong or else it wouldnt be 300. save the trouble and get a log or even a revhard, they even have a better rep than SS.

well...i have the bottom mount ka manifold...its looks excellent, the welds are perfect..and it will fit properly..for 250 shipped it will work excellent, i know personally a few guys that are runnin this manifold for a while with zero problems. (theirs was a reflanged sr bottom mount mani.)

its called...why pay for an overpriced mani that costs nearly as much as ur entire setup..when u can get an cheaper manifold that will work and if it cracks..thats life..thats why people weld.

[WDRacing]

The SR mani is of good quality, the KA top mount is garbage. I'll snap some pics and post them.

WHen I say it doesn't fit, I mean the turbo won't even come close to lining up with the flange cause its all over the Master cylinder.

WD

[240driver39]

The SR mani is of good quality, the KA top mount is garbage. I'll snap some pics and post them.

WHen I say it doesn't fit, I mean the turbo won't even come close to lining up with the flange cause its all over the Master cylinder.

WD

WD, being that i dont have experience with that mani, i was more responding to the poster that i quoted, that layed a generic label over all the mani's from generic sources that he "heard" or "knew of"

[WDRacing]

I got ya, I was just clarifying.

[gawath]

Thanks for the heads up WD. SSAutochrome was one of the manifolds that I was planning on purchasing for the KA24DE. I wasn't quite sure about the fitement of the turbo hitting or not clearing in that area until this post.

[TrunkMonkey]

not trying to defend the ssautochrome manifold, but keep in mind that it is designed to be a direct replacement for the revhard manifold. you'll need an on center turbine for it to clear. t3 turbines aren't available like so, so you're only option is a t4.

if it doesn't clear with an on center t4 turbine, then yeah, it's pretty jacked up.

-demetrius

[TurboKA37]

is this the same manifold as in the hotimportperformance kit? because i asked them about it in a email and they responded that it was not a SS manifold but they used the same manufactuers? also the one in their kit is a top mount so its hard to believe that they are selling a manifold with their kit that wont even fit correctly.

[virus77]

well...i have the bottom mount ka manifold...its looks excellent, the welds are perfect..and it will fit properly..for 250 shipped it will work excellent, i know personally a few guys that are runnin this manifold for a while with zero problems. (theirs was a reflanged sr bottom mount mani.)

its called...why pay for an overpriced mani that costs nearly as much as ur entire setup..when u can get an cheaper manifold that will work and if it cracks..thats life..thats why people weld.

If the bottom mount t25 manifold works, then more power to you, i agree if something is proven to work and the cost less its a good deal but the top mount T3 has always been garbage and still is. In my earlier message was refering to the normal top mount T3 setup people are usualy running and not at the bottom mount t25, I just hate to see poeple waste money and ruin turbos.

[bruinbear714]

Wow, that really bites! Sorry to hear that WD...it makes you wonder if they even test a turbo onto the manifold in the engine bay, or if they just got a KA head and made a manifold.

[WDRacing]

not trying to defend the ssautochrome manifold, but keep in mind that it is designed to be a direct replacement for the revhard manifold. you'll need an on center turbine for it to clear. t3 turbines aren't available like so, so you're only option is a t4.

if it doesn't clear with an on center t4 turbine, then yeah, it's pretty jacked up.

-demetrius

The manifold comes with a T3 or T4 flange. Which in itself is retarded considering you have to port the crap out of it to even use a T4. But their website cleary states it's good for either turbo.

I'm just a big hater of false advertising. If you require a on center turbine section then you should be told prior to purchase. I'm also wicked pissed that I waited so long for this damn thing. So I'm back to fabbing my own again, which I should have just done in the damn first place. I hate when I'm lazy and it screws me.

I don't know anyone with an on center or I'd try it and pass on the info. I have an email or 6 out right now awaiting reply.

WD

[TrunkMonkey]

the thing that disappoints me is the all the problems you've listed (maybe with the exception of the fitment issue) fit the description of the prototype manifold. kyle did mention on his site that the head flange would need to be cut between each runner. i noticed in the prototype pictures that the wastegate would need to be ported, but porting it looked like it would screw up the inside of the collector. i just assumed that would be fixed before it went on sale. i asked kyle for pics of the final version awhile back, but i never got any.

where the hell is the final version ?

-demetrius

[WDRacing]

I didn't get mine through Kyle...so I can't say anything negative about him. Turbocalculator however has some explaing to do.

I'm borrowing my friends digi cam, mine just sucksass. Pics will follow shortly.

[Projex240]

damnit--i ust talked to the turbo calculator guy--he said ill get mine by thursday.

We'll see.

Thanks,

JoshP.S--im calling him now--if there is a restocking fee--then im not payingit--ill get a full refund or ill dive to his shop and have the police with me.I had better not have to pay a restocking fee.

Thanks,

josh

[Projex240]

also--WD--what size t3 turbine do you have--i have a .63--if you have a.82--that might be the prob right there.

Thanks,

Josh

[Projex240]

damn--someone needs to ask kyle whats up with that manifold--heres the thing--anyone nitoced that the manifold in kyles pics sint even close tot eh manifold in the pics on turbo calculators website?WTF--that doesnt look right to me--i didnt notice this till just now--im getting pissed off.

I called the guys at turbo calculator, but they havent called me back--theyve been cool so far, but I hope they continue to be when I tell them before this mani even gets to me, i wont accept it if hes not willing to eat the restocking fee. Ill send it back, and it will be his responsibility to refund me without a restocking fee. If it never gets to my hands, then its not my responsibility to pay for restocking something.

_damnit--im getting pissed--but i think i already said that.

[Projex240]

OK--another post--is there any way to get the manifoldto fit--I.E-moving the turbo flange closer to the valve cover? If you can weld, then it may not be hard to do--but dont get me wrong--440 isnt something id like to buy and have to mod to get it to fit.

Thanks,

Josh

[Projex240]

c'mon guys leave ss autocrap alone, everyone keeps getting screwed with their manifolds and noone seems to learn anything. These guys have been giving problems for 3 years now from hondas to nissans and people still go back hoping that they have hks quality manifolds or something because the material is thicker and now they revised they design, bottom line, it sucks. If you want to purchase flanges or whatever else they sell, go ahead, but if you want an equal length header that looks tits and cost $300 somthing must be wrong or else it wouldnt be 300. save the trouble and get a log or even a revhard, they even have a better rep than SS.

SSautochrome is just a dealer/distributor--not the manufacturer. People talk abotu ssautchrome like they are directly responsible for the manifolds. They arent. They have their own designs, and so do others. But they are not the manufacturers of all the manifolds they sell. I ordered mine from turbo calculator. They will be the ones held responisble.

I think its time to spend the extra money to get the import-autoperformance.com one.

Im wanting to try and use something other than the jgs one--thats why im so adamant about this.

_josh

[Projex240]

um--okay--maybe i should edit instead of posting over and over--but hey--

So theres no way to get an on center turbine housing for a T3--i have a .63 stage 3 wheel--turbonetics 5 bolt flange style. anyone know of one--if i can get one--ill keep the mani i guess.

And if kyle uses the same mani--he doesnt have a t4 turbo--and an s13 has less clearnce towards the MC --so this is all kinds of bogus.The s14 has more clearance, yet cant fit.Manifold is made for a direct replacemetn revhard, but that fits like garbage anyway.Hmm--the more and more i think about it--the more and mroe i get pissed--

im calncelling my order.

Thanks WD---

Josh

[TurboKA37]

wow, 5 consecutive posts in a rowedit: 6

[Projex240]

lmao--i know--im just all keyed up now about this--i just spent over 400 bucks--it had better be a better manifold than wd's--if not--im gonna be livid pissed.

[WDRacing]

Best of luck, turbocalc hasn't returned my email yet either. Let me know what they say if you talk to them.

[turtl631]

Is this the manifold in that ebay kit you mentioned WDRacing? it looks like a pretty good option for the price, but I hope the manifold doesn't suck

[Projex240]

I will be calling them OVER AND OVER until they answer my damn call or return it out of sheer aggrevation of hearing the phone ring. IM not getting screwed. Its about 2 hours from here where their shop is---ill drive thet sucker back to them myself to get my money back if I have to. Like I said--ill bring the cops with me to--to make sure i dot get tempted to punch someone in the face if they try to D&%$ me out of my money. Im juts not going to pay someone 80 bucks to put somehting back on a shelf (restocking fee my ***) that they sold me--if it fits as bad as you say--i might as well have gotten the to sell me a 2JZ manifold. It owuld be just about as useful...

EDIT___

Just talked to John at turbo calculator. He told me that the manifold DOES fit the s14 and that it has been purchased by many other that have had success out of it. Im sorry WD--I didnt know your real name, so when i metnioned you, all I could say sit hat you were a member of this forum and what you nico name was--of course. It didtn ring a bell. I didnt think it would. He told me that the 20 percent restocking fee was part of their policy. BUT--i told him that I wasnt about to pay 80 bucks to order a part that doesnt work. I might as well have ordered a 400 bag of crap for all the good it would do me. Point blank--its a faulty manifold if it doesnt fit. It reads that it fits a t3 turbo as it has a t3 flange. If it designed to fit a on center turbo(t4 only) than it needs not to be advertised to fit a T3 turbo.Tha is how i explained it to him. He seemed to understand, but he was very reluctant to work around that restocking fee. Im trying to be patient--he did say to email him to remind him of this convo and he would allow me some time to test fit it, and call him back to let him know of fitment issues.Also--just to let everyone know--these are not OBX manifolds--these are not SSautchrome manifolds--ssautochrome manifolds are not ss autchrome manifolds--these are purchased and made from china. This is info from the guy who i bought my manifold from-John.I could care less if it was amde on mars really--as long as it fits.

Thanks,

Josh

[ka24detkyle]

If people are gonna associate me with bad fitting manifolds then email me directly and i'll see what i can do.

WD:Is your manifold an SSAUTOCHROM manifold or another manifold made by Turbocalculator.

Fittment: I test fit SSA manifolds with an on center T4 housing as well as a T3 .63 turbine cause that's tmost common for the KAT. When using the RevHard manifold you can use a T4 on center or a T3 .63 turbine. And NO the T3 turbine is not on center cause there is no such...to my knowledge.

So now....how can i help the guys who want to TALK about this. I'll help you all i can.

Kyle

[chandler]

i trust ya kyle, heck if ya give me your email, I just might come up and see the manifold when I get the money, I live down in charlotte, and by the way, nice car

[Projex240]

IM glad you respondedI just want to clarify---I dont think you are involved with a manfiold that isnt fitting--I know that it is a turbo calc mani that is the problem. The only thing i was conerned about is that i saw the pics of the manifold ont he plan b attack page and they looked like the sam emanifold. If ssa has a better one--then by all means--i would LOVE to buy that one. I tried to get in contact with you like 5 times. but i couldnt get a response. I dont think you are associated with the bad fitting manifolds--i bought mine from a diff dealer cuz i couldnt reach you--but i saw that you had fitted a manifold which appeard to be the same as the one i ordered. If i was given wrong info--im sorry. I didnt mean to amke it out to seem that i held you responsible or even involved at all. I still wan to get the manifold form you ASAP. I emailed SSA 4 times, and they never returned my email. I talked to xs-power, which i was told was the same as SSA--but again, must have been wrong info, adn they did not email me back ro callme back. I wanted to ge the mani from you BAD--but i never got a response. Help me out if you can--i have a small amount of time to see if mine fits, then i have to go through the battle of returning this to turbo calc without getting screwed out of a restocking fee even though it is a faulty product.

SO long story short--if it seemed that i was putting your name into the manifold i bought, it wasnt like that--i only meant o say that you manifold looked to be different in the pics you showed the fitment vs the ones that showed the manifold outsde the car. Please email me ASAP so we can do some bussiness.

Thanks kyle, and again--sorry to have seemed pissed at you--it wasnt like that at all. I want to do bussiness with you due to the great responses ive gotten from you in the past.

Thanks,

Josh

[email protected]