Ok, I'm pretty sure I know where this will end up. I'll say now that I've had good experience with both vendors. If I go SS on the DP, the price is close enough that it doesn't matter since shipping from FM will be a little cheaper than BEGI (I assume). Besides, the small difference in price isn't enough to sway me either way.

The only reason I'm not immediately calling up BEGI is some issues with fit on their downpipes in the past. This needs to fit with out issue, I can't ship the thing back and forth while things are tweaked. I also like the design on the FM piece, cast outlet and one piece mandrel bent pipe.

I'm torn.

 

Begi

 

They still have issues.
https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/sho...9&postcount=13

 

nothing a good hit with a hammer couldn't fix.

out of the many they ship a few have problems, remember they aren't cookie cutter pieces, everything is hand built!

 

Why not go with both? Get the BEGi manifold with the FM 2 piece downpipe.

 

That sounds like it would cost more to ship. I don't see enough differences between the manifolds to do that. I'd say buy the manifold from the same company that you buy the dp from.

To the OP: While I respect Begi and have a bias toward them for some reason, I would suggest buying from FM if you don't mind spending a few extra dollars. I say this because I haven't read a post yet complaining about their dp fitment. A divorced dp is really cool and does seem to win in every way except for the gamble on fitment. From your first post, it seems that you don't want to gamble at all. So go with FM and be done with it.

 

Personally, I love the design of the BEGi S4 manifold and, according to Corky's book, their downpipe with the longer pipe section for the wastegate is more efficient. When I start upgrading my FM II kit, I will probably look into these parts as well as the non-silicon I/C tubing from BEGi.

 

Honestly this is the very reason I'm considering FM. I don't want to be one of the few that has issues, if I were south of the border it wouldn't be as much of an issue. This isn't to say that the FM bits won't have issues.

I guess I've stated why FM might be the better choice for me, why should I go with BEGI?

And is SS worth the extra $$$.

 

I considered this, but if there was any issue with fit I would be fucked. I don't want to get in the middle of that finger pointing war.

 

Why?

 

Service and support mostly. I like the fact that the downpipe and manifold I have sitting on my floor is still covered by them if something were to happen, and that if I call them tomorrow with an issue they will help me despite it being an older model and me not buying it from them. From what I have been seeing, people do business with them, despite the issues once in a while, because of peace of mind.

I also really like the quality of the DP and Manifold that I have.

 

We have two cars in the shop right now fixing it. Hank just got done working on my car today. From what he told me, we also need to fix a flange. There is nearly 1/2" of play when the downpipe sits on the TO. So it rotates towards the strut tower or towards the manifold. Hank welded on some thick, but small, washers to my flange and all it well now.

Rattling downpipes are annoying as hell. So if the "fix" continues to work, we will post it on the web, or we'd be happy to fix/replace all downpipes.

Stephanie

 

FM says their manifold will retro fit all previous ones. If that is the case, then there should be no fitment issue. I have a customer that replaced his new FM manifold with ours. I have not heard of a fitment issue, nor read about any...
Stephanie

 

Dont wanna go with anything custom Jay? Custom SS is baller status my main man! Buy an etd shorty and order some dp material from atp (wideopen) and get her welded up. 3'' dp ftw

 

Negative. I want to drive the car, how many miles have you put on the car since starting your turbo install?

I doubt I could build it cheaper or better than BEGI or FM.

 

If I could get a shipping quote from you that would probably help my decision Psst ... answer my email

Jay

 

I'm getting there. 2 1/2 weeks out of the office w/ Bronchitis... I'm a little behind, sorry!
Stephanie

 

Is it just a matter of loosening the downpipe from the turbo and rotating it?

 

Very possible. From that perspective (sitting in the car) you would want to roate the pipe to the left. The only problem is that it may not stay there once the pipes/flanges/turbo have heated up.

We're gonna give my car about 300 miles to rattle and see what it does. So Tuesday we will know more.

 

Do you have to cough hard?