Theres no doubt that the single most difficult thing to fabricating your own turbo system system starts with the exhaust manifold. I was thinking about ordering some turbo flanges, but before I do does anyone know what type of clearance there is coming off the stock exhaust manifold, and where I would have to cut to put the flange on(rough estimate) I was thinking about coming off the stock flange. If this works I absolutey think, that anyone mechanically inclined, could fab your own system for about half the price of a greddy or PE including the intercooler, and with the saved money you could get a stand alone system DFI or TechII. Then you could stuff the biggest baddest intercooler you could find the sky would be the limit (your imagination) A few u bends from you muffler shop could give you a nice mandrel style bends. I would definitely get internal waste gates for a oem quality install. I see this being the case in the very near future, if companies get involved as they do with hondas, I think there maybe some companies who will make these manifolds for the DIY's in the next year or so....., but for now what have you seen as far as clearance... I know the greddy turbos look tight, but the log styel OEM manifold I feel has potential..........If anyone who has aftermarket headers on their car and can spare their stocks and can donate them to the good of all mankind( 350 owners) I think there could be many more TT Z'ers on the road- Ernie

If no doners I will buy some borlas and R&D my own.....

 

There are a couple of kits with a non-cast manifold on a TT set-up. They look quite good but I worry about cracking from the weight of the turbo and the way they have to be positioned off the cylinder head. If you have the resources to do it I would really make a go of it. Good luck with the project. I look forward to seeing other designs in the future.

 

From a longevity standpoint cast iron is always the way to go!

 

Bigern....I dont think this is a DIY operation. Do you have a fabrication shop and experience working with this stuff?

Cast iron is the way to go for many many reasons. But it's much easier to fabricate tubular steel rather than building a mold from scratch.

In my opinion, tubular steel has way to many drawbacks. Cracking, they give off tremendous heat instead of containing it like cast iron does. More heat in the manifold equals better scavenging and flow characteristics. Not to mention that the turbular steel manifolds arent even close to being equal length...so I see no benifits whatsoever.

If we owned Hondas, where the manifold can be removed in minutes...i wouldnt mind tubular steel. But it is a major PITA to remove/repair the 350Z manifold.

 

No tubulars .in my opinion dont have the strenght to support the turbos,,,,,,,,,and yes I have the resources to mod a bone stock manifold. oh and congrats on your new numbers nice torque huh?