I'm building a turbo system for my 1.6: I've kind of settled on the gt2554r turbo and now I'm trying to choose a manifold.

I've talked with ETD and they'll custom build the shorty manifold for me with a t25 flange. Does anyone know the internal dimensions of the ETD manifold? How durable is the ETD manifold?

The prices on the Begi, the FM and the ETD manifold are relatively the same, I'd like your opinions on the comparative differences between the three manifolds. I was also considering the AVO manifold but at $890AUS, it's priced way too high.

Thanks for any advice you may have forthcoming!

joeyb

 

OK if it is Custom then we wont know the specs until it is done anywho it should be just fine.

 

Just go with the begi manifold. You'll be much, much happier.

 

if you go ETD make sure "custom" doesn't mean "weld the 2554 flange over the greddy flange"...

M

 

no, no, it won't be entirely custom built, it'll be this manifold, internal wastegate, with a t25 flange on it:

http://www.etdracing.com/miata3.html

 

ok y8s, we'll make sure that they replace the entire flange. thanks!

whoa! this board answers instantaneously! great!

 

I would go for the begi manifold for it's reliability and the fact you can buy a downpipe that fits your turbo. Also, don't rule out the hks manifold if you plan on making your own downpipe. A couple of board members are running this manifold including myself with great results. It's a sturdy piece and you can usually find one in the 200-250 range. I bought mine for 125 new on fleabay

 

getsidewaysd1,

Thanks for your advice! However, based on jasonc sbb's experience, the combination of the begi manifold and downpipe with the gt2554r wasn't so good. He relates his experience on this thread:

https://www.miataturbo.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=10817

I'd appreciate your perspective on this matter.

joeyb

 

HKS eh ... ok i'll see if i can find a similar deal. Thanks Stripes!

 

I wouldn't base your opinion about the begi manifold off of one thread. The AVO manifold may or may not be a better design, but I would also consider other factors with your purchase. Corky has been around for some time and chances are he will be supporting his products for many years to come. His products have a history of being reliable and people have built systems that stretched the limits of miata stock internals using his manifold. If I were looking for a cast iron manifold and had to decide between a BEGI design and a AVO manifold for the same price, I would go with the BEGI manifold. Was Jason able to replace his AVO manifold when he had a problem?

 

yes,jason replaced the avo manifold and dp with ones from begi. that was the basis of his experience and his account on the aforementioned thread.

 

Sorry, I meant to ask if he was able to replace his AVO manifold...

 

$389.00 BEGI is cheaper

 

over 35 years isn't a long time. :gay:

 

no, he wasn't able to replace his AVO manifold with another AVO manifold. As far as I know he's still got that cracked AVO manifold.

Thanks for your opinions! And I can appreciate the confidence you guys have with BEGI based on Corky's lengthy experience and numerous accomplishments. But what I'm most interested in is a point by point, substantive discussion of the qualities of the three different manifolds (make that 4 to include the HKS manifold) based on technology, i.e, build quality, materials used, internal dimensions of tubes, the manner in which the exhaust pulses get to the turbo, etc. ...

Hope this isn't an imposition.

joeyb

 

Look we all know that I like Corky... so we will dispense with any potential bias I might have.

Here is the deal, I like the ETD shorty manifold, I always have thought it was a decent design. It was similar to a design I did a while back for a Miata, but with a slight twist. It's going to probably flow better than the cast BEGi unit. It's a tubular manifold and it should. It will likely last a long time, although not likely as long as a BEGi cast manifold. It is easier to repair even if it does fail, which is something I like. If I were to get the ETD manifold, I would not wate my time with a T28 internally wastegated turbo and I would not get it in mild steel. I would request stainless weld els.

It's a good unit and it should perform well. If you are going to run a GT2554R consider Corky's T25 Stainless Steel turbo header. It's a decent unit and it's probably cheaper and does not have a provision for an external wastgate (oops he now makes them with one! $549 with the external gate cheaper without I am sure.) Remember a benefit of the BEGi casting is it's small footprint too.

Mark

 

does that begi tubular work with his regular divorced downpipe?

 

No, it's a different downpipe I believe, but ask Corky, I might be completely wrong.

Mark