Yes I knew it was going to crack... but I thought I would get more than two weeks/500km out of the thing!

Not only has it cracked, but a bit has actually fallen right out, thankfully it didn't go through the turbine.

The turbo was supported with a steel brace/turnbuckle as well.

Spent the weekend building a schedule 40 mild steel steam pipe replacement. Since I can't weld very well it's not pretty but it got me home and time will tell if it will hold up. At least this one can be welded if it does crack.

 

this thread should be stickied for all the dumb *** noobs that come in here every 5 minutes with a post like "I'm thinking of getting the ebay manifold, blah blah blah donkey *****, I KNOW IT WONT LAST LONG BUT PROBABLY GET ME BY A YEAR OR TWO"

 

Well, some of us just have to learn the hard way!

My only real regret is that it has dictated the position and orientation of the turbo.

 

owned

 

Why? Because of the downpipe?

That's going to crack next. Bet you 10 doll hairs.

 

yes because of the downpipe.

I would have put the turbo further forward and about an inch closer to the head If I were starting from scratch.

Anyway, I'm quite philosophic about it and it is after all just a toy. Figured some more photographic evidence of the pitfalls of ebay manifolds wouldn't go amiss.

 

+1

 

Makes me wonder how long my homemade one is going to last with 1.6mm mild steel. Anyone have an idea on minimum thickness these things should be???

 

...and people think that chinese steel is "good".

 

Schedule 10 pipe is usually the thinnest used, sched 40 is usually the thickest

 

Guess I was the rarity that my tacotaco cast lasted more than a year of hard track abuse - but yeah, it finally cracked and I slapped another taco on this spring - repeat stupidity cause the near future holds a 1.8 and likely an absurdflow manifold or one from my builder - if I ever get it together...

 

Not pretty > broken.

 

Chinese steel will be as good as you specify it.

M-Tuned rods are made in China are they not? They don't break because the metals specified are of the correct standard.

Just saying Chineese steel is **** is a gross simplification. If it did indeed suck, they wouldn't be able to build bridges that span 26+miles and have the worlds fastest growing economy etc etc.

 

if you are running a 1.6 get one of these bitches if you are on a budget

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HIGH-...Q5fAccessories

 

Got any pictures of everything in the car? I'm curious how your 'steel brace/turnbuckle' was loading the manifold.

 

Me too.

 

+1
good read
would read again

 

All depends on how reputable the vendor/manufacturer is. Chinese manufacturers are NOTORIOUS for pulling the bait and switch which is why you often have to baby sit them like a devious 6 year old. Their willingness to cut corners is blatant and cultural.

This, of course, is a generalization. There are plenty of manufactures there who are very competent and hold very high standards - better then most U.S. manufacturers.

Using their economy as a justification for the quality of their steel is ridonkulous - especially when it's one as propped up as China's.

-Zach

 

my ebay mani lasted me roughly 2 months, with a brace from DP to Engine. whatever... welcome to ebay

 

cast iron?
my ebay cast iron has lasted over 6 months with no issues