Miata Turbo Forum - Boost cars, acquire cats. - Custom 3" exhaust or pre-built one. Help needed please

- DIY Turbo Discussion (https://www.miataturbo.net/diy-turbo-discussion-14/)

- - Custom 3" exhaust or pre-built one. Help needed please (https://www.miataturbo.net/diy-turbo-discussion-14/custom-3-exhaust-pre-built-one-help-needed-please-73907/)

Custom 3" exhaust or pre-built one. Help needed please

So I've purchased a Turbo'd 1.8 miata and the previous owner literally did everything perfect except for the exhaust, right now it's an angled downpipe (sharp 90 degree turn) and flex pipe 2.75 inches for the rest.

I've been looking to get a custom 3" down pipe, high flow cat, and magnaflow muffler in order to increase flow, get a little more power, and stop heat from rising back into the turbo.

Any suggestions on exhausts if I should build my own or pre-purchase one? I'm in Kirkland, wa so are there any local shops that people recommend?

Specs on the miata:

Garrett T3 60 turbo from ATP Turbo
M-Tuned Shorty turbo manifold
Track Dog Racing intercooler system with "over the top" pipes
AEM standalone ECU with 91 and 94 octane maps, 17+ psi
FM level 2 clutch
M-Tuned coolant reroute
AEM 3.5 bar MAP sensor
AEM wideband O2 sensor and gauge
Saturn knock sensor
GM boost controller
RX7 550 cc drop in fuel injectors
PWR aluminum radiator
boost gauge
Hydraulic hood lifts
Shock tower brace
Custom exhaust
Stage 8 fasteners between turbo and manifold
Walbro high flow fuel pump

Boss Frog Clearview roll bar
Duetto Glass window top
Moss Motors black seat covers
Sony stereo head unit with usb/iphone interface
1000 watt amp in trunk
headrest speakers
custom subwoofer box for rear deck with 8" square Kicker sub

Ground Control coilovers with Eibach springs, 425/300 rates
KYB 8-way adjustable shocks
Flyin Miata rear shock mounts
Carbotech brake pads
Flyin Miata sway bars
14" semi hollow spoke stock rims painted to match brake dust with nitto nt01 tires for track
and 17x8 Rota grid v's for daily
Nitto NT01 205/55 ZR14 with decent tread left
Touge Run front spoiler
Side splitters

use to be red, now dipped satin pearl white

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1373920017

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1373920017

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1373920017

That's not bad, I was looking at FM but theirs is $1000+ and then contacted a few exhaust shops and they all wanted 700-800 for theirs. How long was your wait?

Also would it fit right up to a T3 turbo? I'm using the M-Tuned Shorty turbo manifold so I'm concerned about fitment....

For my entire set-up I waited like 2 months I believe?? It might be shorter for just an exhaust. You could E-mail Abe and see what he says abe@artechfabrication.com

If you're not building it yourself, $1k is the going price for a turbo-back 3" stainless exhaust.

My Enthuza 3" stainless was mid 4'ish I believe.
ARtech 3" downpipe and 3" midpipe were another 5'ish.

Quote:

Originally Posted by das stig (Post 1032058)

3" turbo back from Abe is a bit over $1000. BTMiata might have got it for $500 because he had at least that much in the rest of his setup.

If Abe doesn't have your manifold/turbo combination, you are going to have to take your manifold and turbo off your car and ship it to him.

Somehow I missed that he also needed a downpipe. I thought he was just looking for the exhaust. In that case, yeah its gonna be around $1000 for the downpipe and exhaust.

Well shit guys.... I THOUGH I found the boost leak ( the gasket between the manifold and the turbo) but when i took the heat wrap off to fix it i found this...... F My life....

Should I just re-weld it or buy a whole new set up (manifold, down pipe, full 3" exhaust)?

Unfortunately the company that made these no longer makes manifolds...

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1373987472

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1373987472

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1373987472

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1373987472

why is your drain your feed?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rigidbigelsworth (Post 1032400)

why is your drain your feed?

I'll be honest I do not know much about what was done besides what he told me. I was given two 4" thick binders of receipts, correspondents with FM, 949, trackmiata, and a few other companies, along with a short novel on what was done to the car. Also has some track notes too since he tracked it a lot over the 13 years he had the car (guy in his 50's) I've tried to make sense of it a few times but a lot of it went over my head since he's an engineer and wrote mostly in engineering language.

I'm great with aesthetics, paint, body, installs, interior, sound systems, and installing MOST parts on the engine/tranny as long as there is a DIY somewhere but most of the hardcore engine tuning and knowledge about engines is a little over my pay grade. Thus asking this forum for help

I would just re-weld the manifold as a temporary solution until you have the cash for a new mani and DP.

Quote:

Originally Posted by albertogti117 (Post 1032411)

I would just re-weld the manifold as a temporary solution until you have the cash for a new mani and DP.

That's what I'm thinking. I have the cash right now BUT the manifold was an M-tuned manifold and they stopped making them last year. It also places the turbo in a unique place so i'd have to get a new exhaust welded up :/ then once i do that ill have to reroute my "over the top" intercooler piping too costing me more. Why did I choose cars to be my hobby? hahaha

get it rewelded, don't wrap it so it happens again. Have a crane made for good measure.

why do we think his "feed is his drain"?

Definitely not wrapping it again. I assume a crane is a support for the turbo to hold it in place? I've only seen one before do people make supports often? https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1373998062

That feed location just looks like a mating face for a drain flange fitting to me that was tapped for a fitting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rigidbigelsworth (Post 1032531)

That feed location just looks like a mating face for a drain flange fitting to me that was tapped for a fitting.

most drains aren't 1/4".

that's just what a T3 feed looks like:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1373998323

Drain is big and square:

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/i...r5uTStvyvt2JbZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by das stig (Post 1032529)

Definitely not wrapping it again. I assume a crane is a support for the turbo to hold it in place?

reduce vibrations mostly. triangulate.

Gotcha. Ive only dealt with T2 turbos. :noob:

Regarding the OP's question -- considering turning to TurboTim and his "AbsurdFlow" design. His custom 3" turboback systems (and turbo manis) are incredible. I have the former; it performs and sounds great.