2 Cast Manifolds 1 Kit
 

So I have a problem with buying any local miata parts that I cant buy online right now. So I end up with some weird old turbo parts, and one off stuff. Well I've come to the conclusion that I want to run a cast manifold because it's my daily and I dont need the flow of a tubular. I cant decide which manifold to build my kit around. My two options I have in my possession are:

The winner will obviously be getting new hardware, powdercoat, and machined.
Cast HKS top mount t2or
Old Cast Begi side mount t2 with the silver finish
The begi is significantly heavier, which is good and bad I assume.

I've read into it enough that shows the hks can have bad placement for heat and downpipe, while the begi can also require cutting. The hks needs the flange cuts done while the begi already has them. The hks will be easier to work on as everything is above the frame line while the begi is a tight fit. And lastly I love the look of top mounts and being my daily that's half the fight as it wont be beat on tooo much.

I'm just wondering if I can get any insight that I may have missed before I go and spend thousands around one and missed a huge flaw. Whichever I dont use I'll be selling to add to my fund for things I didn't count on and to clean up space.

Seems like you're smart/intelligent enough to see how foolish it is to "spend thousands around" an inferior item when there's at least 2 cast manifolds available/out now that are much better than both of these.

That said, if I can't answer with "neither", I'd answer "begi"

use the begi, its a decent manifold, strong, and has readily available downpipes.

Very true, and I would if I didn't already have these. I'm probably not going more than low 200whp range so these should suffice. Which manifolds now are what you recommend? FM?
What is the reason for the begi? Reliability?

More than likely doing a custom one due to my exhaust already being fully custom with different placement on the flanges. But from what I've read it is basically indestructible so definitely a key factor here as a daily driver.

HKS has room for the 2554 or 2560 Turbo. Larger than that hits the hood. I've had one and didn't see any real problems with it. Directional Contours inside aiming the gasses towards the turbo look better than the begi unit. Either one will make 200 horsepower so use the one you want.

So you're not even considering possibly wanting more down the road?......like 99.99% of the people here end up doing? Thousands of dollars, and just enough power to keep up with a Toyota camry v6? lol

TSE and Kraken come to mind. MKturbo looks very promising too but not finished yet.

I ran a begi and don't have any major complaints with it back in the day. At least it doesn't limit your turbo choice and require really funky downpipe/drain tube routing like the hks.

+1

Don't underestimate the lure of "MOAR POWA", it's a far stronger force than the Dark Side, consuming 99.99% of those who do any power modz to their car.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...2cd8abcc63.jpg

200rwhp will NOT be enough; spending wisely up front with components that will support "MOAR POWA" will save you thousands of dollars and make it financially easier to manage upgrades since you can upgrade a few components at a time rather than needing to replace EVERYTHING.

The up-front cost will be higher but if you can't afford them, you probably shouldn't be going this route in the first place.

I doubt that anyone would regret starting with a TSE or Kraken EFR manifold instead of something else.

I vote for begi manifold. It's capable of making 300hp with a 2871 and will be good with a 2560.

not everyone needs to build an allofit bling EFR build from the start. A 250hp miata is plenty fast, and yes will smoke a v6 camry.

V6 Camry... the new moosetang.

Did you have ps/ac? that's one bonus I've seen with top mounts. I'm running everything because I've got an M edition and don't plan on removing anything.
I've looked into the kraken, not the TSE though. kraken was having issues while I was searching so I've yet to see their new ones. And in all honesty, it'll be a very long time before I build an engine for this car. And if anything the only racing here is autox which in a lot of cases favors lower hp and faster spool. But I see where you're coming from, one way I can have that now but nothing better later, or that now and more later. (Edit- 1500 for the mani dp is a bit over my limit)
Good to know, didn't know the limits were that high.
So true, helped my bro get his boosted one up. Started at 160ish was great, then 200, then 230, now 260tq at the wheels. Thats been a year haha. Three manifolds, two turbos etc.

HKS isn't going to interfere with ps or ac. I haven't used the begi log so can't comment.

The BEGI manifold is very similar to a FM manifold in terms of turbo placement and the FM keeps ps and ac. I would go with the BEGI unit because its less likely to ever crack and its MUCH easier to route a downpipe with it.

Begi manifold clears ac and ps no problem. I owned two begi manifold setups.

since you already own the begi manifold, just run it. Get a used $250 downpipe when one pops up in the classifieds here and just mate it to your custom exhaust at a shop and you are set with the hot parts.

begi manifold is same as fm manifold performance and turbo placement wise. Lots and I mean lots of people use begi and fm manifold, they been around forever.

250hp is the limit before the real big money and labor is needed. At which point you need to build the engine with at least new stronger rods and swap in a 6 speed.

I am perfectly happy with my 2560 at 16-18psi, making 250-270 hp and tq. 1st gear is useless, 2nd gear spins if I floor it. I don't need a car that spins even 3rd gear!