Stick w/ Megan mani or go back to stock mani?

[preludervtec]

So here's the deal. When i bought my motor it came w/ a megan racing manifold. I have to pull the manifold and turbo off soon and saw how big a pain in the *** it is to remove the manifold and turbo while the motor is in the car. It is something i definitely not want to do again. Since the megan manifold is extremely prone to cracking i was thinking about swapping back to the stock sr manifold and have it coated to keep engine temps down. Will I notice a major decrease in TQ/HP? I have a basic sr swap w/ all the bolt ons and a t28 turbo. I am looking for more throttle response and torque since the car is mainly used for autox events.

[Hijacker]

The tubular manifolds don't add much for power IMO. They help out primarily with smoothness of turbo spool and they're supposed to reduce hotspots in the mani.

For the power output I can guestimate you're at, you'd be just fine with the stock log mani.

[preludervtec]

Yeah as of right now im leaning towards a stock mani thats heat coated.

[CMG]

Why are you pulling off the manifold? If you don't have to fix anything, leave it on. If you have to fix something, then switch back to the stock log mani. Don't even bother painting it. I went thru two tubular manifolds before I put the stock mani back on. I recomend the stock mani for mild mods, it provides a much better power band. I plan on using it until I get a bigger turbo and build the engine.

[idahotuner]

i am installing my MR manifold to nihgt. i got the turbo and everything on it. i just have to get my new exhuast manifold studs in the head. and then i can put it on. i am running a gt2871 turbo. and i read that tubular manidofls are suppose to help on the high end. but i am not positive on that.

but i am going with CMG, dotn take it off unless you have to.

[hayai_240]

*this is preludervtec*

I am pulling the manifold/turbo off because i need to install a oil restrictor and a new tomei turbo elbow.

[RPS13 DRIFTER]

so do you gain anything from a aftermarket manifold.i was going to get one.im never going to go to a bigger turbo or anything just stock turbo 14 LBS and tune.i only drift my car.should i get one?

[CMG]

Dunno what an oil restrictor is, but you can put on the elbow without removing mani. I have the tomei elbow also. IMO it's an overpriced piece of crap. With the tubular manifold you will get boost quicker, but it falls off higher up. I like the log manifold cuz it's a way smoother curve. Once I upgrade my turbo I will get a tubular manifold, but it won't be a megan one. I also recomend heat wrapping the manifold, it greatly reduces underhood temps.

[CMG]

so do you gain anything from a aftermarket manifold.i was going to get one.im never going to go to a bigger turbo or anything just stock turbo 14 LBS and tune.i only drift my car.should i get one?

If you have a built engine and upgraded turbo, then use a tubular manifold. Tubular manifolds will help you get more horsepower, but it's best when used with other parts like exhaust, intercooler, fuel control, etc.

[preludervtec]

Did you say the tomei elbow is crap?

The oil restrictor goes on the oil feed line. You need this when switching to SS turbo lines because the restrictor is usually built into the stock hardlines. When you remove those you lose your restrictor. Without the restrictor you decrese the life of your turbo because you'll be blowing out the oil seals of your turbo.

[idahotuner]

so you are getting ss turbo lines for your stock turbo. ? whyif everything is working fine and you are staying stock then leave it alone

[preludervtec]

The motor came w/ SS lines when i bought it. However, the owner failed to install the required oil restrictor for the T28 turbo that also came w/ the motor when i bought it.

Not trying to blow up a real oem s15 t28 turbo just because i wasn't using a $10 oil restrictor

[idahotuner]

yea good call my CS turbo lines came witha oil restrictor but the gusy at phase2 siad it wasnta good enough one so i gota taka one to replace the CS one