I'm either going to make a manifold like this (minus EWG):


Or one similar to this:


But I know for sure I want a bottom mount this time around. What do you guys think of those?

 

Looks good. Very similar to our homemade ones except bottom mount.

I too will go bottom mount next time around.

 

Yea, bottom mount makes the most sense to me as far as routing a downpipe is concerned. The only thing i'm unsure of is the lower rad hose needing further massaging...

The only thing i'm not sure about in my head at this point is whether or not I want to try my hand at a merge collector on my first mani build.

 

The mani in the first link seems like a lever arm. How long will it be able to withstand holding the turbo way out there like that? Almost all of the pros' cars whose engine bays I've seen over the last year at LS had bracing triangulating the manifold to the engine when they put the turbo that far out. The AF is nice and short, and sturdier for it.

Someone mentioned the second mani not being a good fit for a Miata.. seems it's meant for a 323.

 

I think Absurdflow rapes them both. The second one is better, but a manifold configured like that will put the turbo too low in a Miata. If you start with that idea and change it to work, you end up at Absurdflow.

Just so everyone understands, I posted the link to get Turbinetech into collective consciousness, not because I like their stuff. I searched before posting, and if this thread was already here, I wouldn't have posted.

 

I think not getting a proper wastegate is a waste of time and effort. Its $250 for a 38mm tial which works perfectly, every time (as long as you follow the directions).

 

My internal gate works great at 12psi. No creep, no spiking, no bullshit.
EWG is superior for sure, but for a street car iwg isn't bad, as long as turbo isn't prone to creep

 

The whole reason i'm building a mani is to sell my expensive BEGI **** since I just lost my job last week. The new mani is going to be so ******* cheap to build comparatively that i'm not even worried about it. I can always add an EWG later.

I've been worrying about mounting it too low. I'll have to re-route my lower coolant hose which might be more money that I dont have.

 

Dude, don't pay bucks for that. If you don't have A/C, you can use either a 1.8 thermostat housing or just reverse the stock water pump inlet manifold. If you need to keep A/C, there are other thermostat housings that can be made to work - spend some time in the junkyard lifting hoods. With a stock-like radiator, I think the stock lower hose can be cut into two pieces (BEGI's kit uses two pieces, too) and work. Just need a splice in the middle.

 

The turbo placement is funky but the manifold itself (the MSM one in the first link) looks sound. In particular, the collector is really nice. Would need a brace for sure, but that goes for pretty much any manifold save for a cast turd burglar log manifold.