Ok, So just to find where the interest is, which type of manifold would you rather purchase? A Ramhorn style, or TopMount? Or possibly does everyone just want to keep it simple and stay with the log style? Chance I might get around to making some if I run out of customer business. So what do you think?
-Michael-

 

i vote for simple what type of turbo flange?

 

I would suspect T3 for most of them, as that seems to be the pattern at the moment. I suspect, whatever flange one wanted could be done, assuming the correct flange could be found. Log's are fairly easy, and I only know of maybe 1-2 companies that offer anything close to the ramhorn or topmount. I know those two are all the range in the Honda turbo market.
-Michael-

 

Aren't there problems inherent in a top mount design? I'd think you'd want to be able to mount the turbo with as close to a straight shot for a DP as possible, not to mention heat issues with the hood.

 

This is exactly why I used a "Ramhorn" style. My downpipe was damn near a straight shot.

 

On the flip side of the situation, those that have A/C and P/S will have a harder time with the "ramhorn" style, and they'll curse themselves if/when they need to remove the turbo from the manifold for work.

 

Also very true.

 

my BEGi manifold is pretty tight with a/c and p/s

 

I've been looking for a bottom mount manifold for future use because of the downpipe issues mentioned, but there are very few available. BEGI just came out with one on the S4, but it has a T25 flange. I don't have a/c and would probably remove p/s if I had to.

 

I know the market may not be big since it seems that PS/AC removal seems a likely prerequsite, but a ramhorn manifold would definitely add a different option to the marketplace.

 

The ideal set up IMO is a "ramhorn" tubular built for an external wastegate that runs to the collector with a 1.8" npt bung for the egt - keep the weight low and the downpipe relatively straight while keeping flow at a maximum. I think I've seen one like this. It would surely challenge your fab/engineering skills (working around the p/s and a/c), separate your product from the rest (being a no compromise manifold). I think you're time would be better spent building something that really showcases your skill vs. building something that anybody else can do, and has done. And I think building something like this, you'd go with a t3 flange since the options for adding a turbo are quite expansive from modertate to maximum power. - rob

 

I wanted to do this on my 1.6, except minus the external wastegate. I welded pipes together to get my turbo location expecting to redo them all and get 4 nice blended pipes, but then decided to keep the mockup as my final piece because I got lazy/scared (was the first manifold I built, not sure if it would last 2 miles). So, it looks hookey but worked well, easy 3" DP and access to all hardware.

Hmm, no pic of it in the car...strange. It fit well. Anyways you can see it here. Looks funny, kinda embarrassed to show it but the car did pull pretty good:



If you can make a nice "ramhorn" manifold with external wastegate, EGT bung, clears accessories, forward enough for a very simple downpipe, back enough to stick some decent airfilter on it, doesn't burn any paint, you got something good.

 

Did the runners hit the hood? Isn't the point of that style to drop the turbo as low as possible for a straight shot at the DP? That's looks like it mounts in the same location as most manifolds (veritcally speaking).

The BEGi S4 is still supossed to work with A/c and P/s, I'm sure the water-bypass helps, but I'm sure it's a tighter fit than one would want.

 

Well I'm glad this is actually stirring some opinions up. I might just try and model a ramhorn style. Unfortunately, my car does not have PS, so it would be difficult to account for that when fabricating it. Thanks very much for the thoughts, and keep them coming!
-Michael-

 

If I didn't have P/S and A/C it's something I would consider. WOT did a great job with his old setup. Must of had the shortest intake and charge pipes out there. Plus that DP has to have no bends.

 

N I C E.

 

No.

I do believe it was a inch or two lower than the same turbo on the GReddy manifold. I could not lower it much more due to the power steering stuff in the way. I did however turn the turbo so it was pointing towards the headlight lid and moved it much farther forwards than the greddy manifold position. This made the bends for the downpipe a lot easier.

 

Rams horns look cool when tig welded. It shows off your fab skills. But a top mount shows off the turbo which for some is more important.

 

here's a t3 flanged ramhorn by hf-mx5

 

One that would clear AC/PS would definitely be a catchin point for guys like myself. Are you still looking at making manifolds or did this idea runout quickly? I agree with them on making it a T3 flanged manifold as most anyone doing this sort of upgrade is surely going to be going to the bigger turbo.