DIY Turbo Discussion greddy on a 1.8? homebrew kit?

Downpipe tech... FM Turbine outlet vs 3" elbow vs BEGI Separated

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-04-2014, 08:37 AM
  #1  
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Chiburbian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Loganville, GA
Posts: 2,331
Total Cats: 202
Default Downpipe tech... FM Turbine outlet vs 3" elbow vs BEGI Separated

I am having a 3" downpipe and exhaust fabricated for my car locally and I am wondering what is the ideal way to solve my problem.

Specifically this discussion is in reference to an internally gated turbo like the GT2650 or 2860. MY main goal is reducing time to boost target. Peak HP/Torque is but a bonus.

One method is the BEGI method where the wastegate gasses are routed via a separate tube into the exhaust down stream.

Another method is the Flyin' Miata Turbine outlet which uses a separate cast elbow and from there the downpipe bolts onto the bottom. I am unsure how large the outlet of the casting is.

The last is the big open elbow method which is taken by some people here.

Is there any benefit to separating the gasses until downstream? How does the "big elbow" method compare with the BEGI and FM methods? IF I decided to just use a FM cast outlet and have the rest fabricated in 3" from that point on, will I be losing any measurable power or boost latency?

If this were a smart person discussion of downpipe design, what would we be talking about?

Last edited by Chiburbian; 12-04-2014 at 08:51 AM.
Chiburbian is offline  
Old 12-04-2014, 08:58 AM
  #2  
Elite Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Leafy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: NH
Posts: 9,479
Total Cats: 104
Default

In theory the separated gases setup is better than the bellmouth which is better than most cast elbows. But the difference on the dyno is hard to find between a lot of separated gas and bellmouth setups IME.
Leafy is offline  
Old 12-04-2014, 09:06 AM
  #3  
VladiTuned
iTrader: (76)
 
18psi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 35,821
Total Cats: 3,481
Default

Get the FM. BEGi fitment sucks, and they will likely get it to you a year late.

If you're getting neither and just copying the design, the one that separates the gasses and re-introduces them as far back in the downpipe as possible is the one that should make slightly more power
18psi is offline  
Reply
Leave a poscat -2 Leave a negcat
Old 12-04-2014, 09:45 AM
  #4  
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Chiburbian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Loganville, GA
Posts: 2,331
Total Cats: 202
Default

Thanks. The question is though, will the added complexity of the dual tube design cost me too much in money to be worth it?

FM housing costs $220 plus $550 "three inch conversion" kit. Add a cat and complete the midpipe... Yikes!

BEGI version goes for $550 + $85 three inch conversion. The separated gasses thing looks pretty complex to fab up correctly. I imagine the reason the BEGI design costs what it does is that they solved the problem already and can jig it up for additional builds.

All together this is looking expensive. :(
Chiburbian is offline  
Old 12-04-2014, 09:48 AM
  #5  
VladiTuned
iTrader: (76)
 
18psi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 35,821
Total Cats: 3,481
Default

just get the elbow and fabricate the rest. that's what I would do. I have the elbow, and its a great piece

is it worth it? no.

if you're really looking to make some serious power you shouldn't even be messing with this configuration. you should be looking at a top mount tubular or bottom mount or absurdflow style
18psi is offline  
Old 12-04-2014, 10:04 AM
  #6  
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Chiburbian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Loganville, GA
Posts: 2,331
Total Cats: 202
Default

What spurred this on was Blaen99. He is using the same manifold I am using but with a 3" exhaust.

Honestly I am totally happy with his numbers. I haven't even built my motor yet so I can't even push it, I just figured this upgrade would give me a bit of spool and would not mean replacing tons of stuff later after I built the motor. You are making me question my thinking. My end goal is "only" mid 300s...
Chiburbian is offline  
Old 12-04-2014, 12:47 PM
  #7  
Cpt. Slow
iTrader: (25)
 
curly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oregon City, OR
Posts: 14,175
Total Cats: 1,129
Default

So what's your current exhaust? BEGI's 2.5" dp and exhaust?

Have you considered going with Artech? That's what Jared has if you were happy with his results.

He also says there is some warping on perhaps both manifold and turbo surfaces from before he installed the TSE studs, so that will only hurt build up of boost.
curly is offline  
Old 12-04-2014, 12:51 PM
  #8  
Elite Member
iTrader: (3)
 
concealer404's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,917
Total Cats: 2,201
Default

What the hell is an FM "3 inch conversion kit?"

Am i missing out on something?

Data point: My car used to have a Begi downpipe. It didn't fit, so now it has an FM cast elbow with 2.5" FM downpipe. No complaints.

FM downpipe "system" is $439.
concealer404 is offline  
Old 12-04-2014, 12:54 PM
  #9  
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Chiburbian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Loganville, GA
Posts: 2,331
Total Cats: 202
Default

Originally Posted by concealer404
What the hell is an FM "3 inch conversion kit?"

Am i missing out on something?

Data point: My car used to have a Begi downpipe. It didn't fit, so now it has an FM cast elbow with 2.5" FM downpipe. No complaints.
Flyin' Miata : Turbochargers : Parts and upgrades : Hybrid to full 3 inch exhaust upgrade

This upgrades the piping to 3" from the turbine elbow
Chiburbian is offline  
Old 12-04-2014, 12:56 PM
  #10  
Elite Member
iTrader: (3)
 
concealer404's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,917
Total Cats: 2,201
Default

Originally Posted by Chiburbian

Oh. So that still goes on the same cast turbine elbow? I wonder if you can get just the 3" downpipe and not the cat. Pretty sure i have that in a box in the garage.
concealer404 is offline  
Old 12-04-2014, 01:00 PM
  #11  
Cpt. Slow
iTrader: (25)
 
curly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oregon City, OR
Posts: 14,175
Total Cats: 1,129
Default

Even Abe's are 2.5" necked out to 3", and I think it happens after it bends down. No turbo outlet is actually 3" AFAIK.
curly is offline  
Old 12-04-2014, 01:03 PM
  #12  
Elite Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Leafy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: NH
Posts: 9,479
Total Cats: 104
Default

Originally Posted by curly
Even Abe's are 2.5" necked out to 3", and I think it happens after it bends down. No turbo outlet is actually 3" AFAIK.
The bellmouths are, actually you cant normally make them just from crushing 3" tubing you have to cut and splice.
Leafy is offline  
Old 12-04-2014, 01:13 PM
  #13  
mkturbo.com
iTrader: (24)
 
shuiend's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Charleston SC
Posts: 15,176
Total Cats: 1,680
Default

Fitting a full 3" downpipe at the back of a t2 turbo that is not on a low mount manifold is next to impossible without cutting up the rear shelf.
shuiend is offline  
Old 12-04-2014, 01:44 PM
  #14  
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Chiburbian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Loganville, GA
Posts: 2,331
Total Cats: 202
Default

Great, that makes sense. Looks like I will be getting the FM elbow and either buying their 3" kit or having the rest of the downpipe fabbed.

I DO want a catalytic converter. Maybe not that specific item though so I will talk to FM and see what they say.
Chiburbian is offline  
Old 12-04-2014, 02:02 PM
  #15  
VladiTuned
iTrader: (76)
 
18psi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 35,821
Total Cats: 3,481
Default

Originally Posted by shuiend
Fitting a full 3" downpipe at the back of a t2 turbo that is not on a low mount manifold is next to impossible without cutting up the rear shelf.
and completely pointless since the turbine outlet is 2" or less (unless you have a mammoth turbo which wouldn't be t2 anyway) and you want it to taper gradually and not just step to 3"
18psi is offline  
Old 12-04-2014, 02:14 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
 
sturovo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Martin, Slovakia
Posts: 507
Total Cats: 74
Default

76mm downpipes can fit without modifying the shelf with axial logs. It depends on how the axial log is made and how the turbo is positioned.

On typical cast logs the t2 flange is set higher than the center of the manifold by an inch or so. Is this significant? Yes as it reduces the clearance available for the downpipe as can be seen in the following sketch. (red line is shelf/firewall)


Also in this case the turbo is rotated by 10 degrees. This means that the downpipe angle leaving the turbo is 55 degrees as opposed to 90 degrees and more in some of the other types.

It is possible to fit 80mm downpipes by keeping the T2 flange at port center and rotating the turbo 10 degrees.

Attached Thumbnails Downpipe tech...  FM Turbine outlet vs 3" elbow vs BEGI Separated-downpipe_zps0f08e6a9.jpg   Downpipe tech...  FM Turbine outlet vs 3" elbow vs BEGI Separated-p1050615_zps1497e068.jpg  
sturovo is offline  
Old 12-04-2014, 02:16 PM
  #17  
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
Chiburbian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Loganville, GA
Posts: 2,331
Total Cats: 202
Default

Neat William. Your downpipe is what I was thinking of as a true 3" from the flange style actually.

Just got off the phone with FM. Looks like I will be going with their stuff unless my fabricator puts the kabosh on it.
Chiburbian is offline  
Old 12-04-2014, 02:35 PM
  #18  
Former Vendor
iTrader: (31)
 
Savington's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
Posts: 15,442
Total Cats: 2,099
Default

Originally Posted by curly
No turbo outlet is actually 3" AFAIK.


Attached Thumbnails Downpipe tech...  FM Turbine outlet vs 3" elbow vs BEGI Separated-_mg_8516.jpg  
Savington is offline  
Old 12-04-2014, 02:45 PM
  #19  
Elite Member
iTrader: (3)
 
concealer404's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,917
Total Cats: 2,201
Default

OH hai.

I sold this pair of bad boys a couple years ago.





750ml bottle of gin.
Attached Thumbnails Downpipe tech...  FM Turbine outlet vs 3" elbow vs BEGI Separated-imgp4541.jpg   Downpipe tech...  FM Turbine outlet vs 3" elbow vs BEGI Separated-imgp4543.jpg   Downpipe tech...  FM Turbine outlet vs 3" elbow vs BEGI Separated-imgp4544.jpg  
concealer404 is offline  
Old 12-04-2014, 03:22 PM
  #20  
Cpt. Slow
iTrader: (25)
 
curly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oregon City, OR
Posts: 14,175
Total Cats: 1,129
Default

Oh you get my point.
curly is offline  


Quick Reply: Downpipe tech... FM Turbine outlet vs 3" elbow vs BEGI Separated



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:05 AM.