Admitting is the first step.

 

Okay so the ECU is in and everything (including the wideband) is installed, including the EBC solenoid. Haven't tested it all, though. Pictures to come later.

We made some progress on the bolts on the manifold. We were able to get the center on mostly on, but it will be tough to Get tight because the stud is almost touching the manifold itself. Do you guys usually cut your stock studs?

I will post pictures of that later too.

 

I'm. So. Pissed.

While trying to take some pictures for you guys showing the woes of tightening that center bolt on the manifold, I noticed something funny. Upon further inspection, I found this:



Yep. Its a crack. And this is a cast manifold, so the couple big welding shops in town won't touch it. They also both said it would be hard because it already got so hot, too.

So I don't know what to do at this point. If I use a different manifold then I need to get a Greddy or else everything else won't fit. And if I did get a log manifold from BEGI or something then I would have to get an entire new downpipe and turbo too. Plus I already sold my old turbo. Dang it.

I'm going to call ArTech and see if he can fix it. I'm a little upset a $500 manifold broke, anyway. Any input is appreciated.

 

What manifold is this?

 

Hmm didnt artech make greedy manifold replacement?

 

Yes, this is the ArTech Greddy replacement mani.

 

That looks like a welded manifold to me.

 

I don't think it's cast then, it can likely be repaired.

 

This must be the fancy 'cast with weld puddles' option.

 

Okay, heres an update straight from the man himself:

Abe says its mild steel tubular. So I guess the local guys were wrong (this is why I hate having work done in this city!). He said he will re-weld it at no charge, I just have to pay the shipping, which is awesome.

Sent it out yesterday, unfortunately its about 4 or 5 days in shipping to get there, but at least I know it will be done RIGHT.

Very happy I bought an ArTech manifold... even used!

 

Why dont people mail things 1-2 day priority?

 

Because they think its expensive.

 

It was $25 to go "normal" 3 day priority. It was $12 including $300 of insurance for FedEx ground. There was no good flat-rate priority options.

 

Abe just got done with the manifold fix. Those sure are some beefy welds, I don't think I'll have any more problems with this one.

 

Abe is good people. All steel manifolds eventually crack. Even my sch.40 mild manifold developed two small cracks.

The fix looks good. Now hit dat bish with a wire wheel and coat it.

 

 

Was working on plumbing the IAC valve into the intercooler intake piping today when I noticed this...



What am I supposed to do with this coolant hose? It seems like it would be prime to melt. And all the re-routes I see don't really have to do with the heater core hoses....

 

I think a lot of people bend the hard pipe around or some ****. Mine runs around the otherside with no hard pipe at all.

 

Yes i bent mine. I used a pickle fork since thats what i had in my tool box.. wrap some towels or whatever around it though. You dont want to kink it. Simply bend a bit here, then move half an inch down the line, then bend a bit more there, then move a bit more then bend again etc. Dont try to bend it all in 1 spot since most likely you'll kink it.

 

This sounds ghetto. This sounds fun