Off The Shelf Down Pipe for the old school manifolds
 

Is anyone still producing downpipes that fit up to the old Begi / FM / TacoTaco manifolds? It doesn't look like FM still sells the cast elbows for their downpipes.

Sell them separately? Did they ever? They still supply that elbow with their current turbo kits.

I have my weld jig in my attic for anyone wanting to DIY it....it'd be expensive to ship though.

If my memory serves, you could buy the elbow and the lower stainless section of the FM down pipe À la carte. I only see the stainless section now.

What are the details on this jig?

I was making 3" bell mouth downpipes for the BEGI/FM manifolds (and my tubular replacement manifold). This is a basic weld jig for them. I actually only used it once. I don't have the 2 bolt oem cat flange on the end though; my customers had to band clamp a cat there.

I am betting FM just now orders parts in specific numbers. So they don't have spares to sell to the DIY customers.

Seems like there is a real vacuum in the market.

If I was a better welder, I might be interested in buying that jig. Unfortunately I'm probably better off sticking with off the shelf stuff.

I recently watched an FM video on YouTube talking about their newly designed manifold and downpipe arriving soon. They were telling everybody that might want one of the new turbo KITS to sign up for email notification when they were restocked because they would sell out quickly. In the comments I asked when they would have the manifold/DP for sale separately and it sounds like not until the foundry that's making them starts supplying them more often. Until the demand for the turbo kits starts to wane, I don't see them listing them separately. Some with old FM2 kits might want to upgrade to the new manifold that's said to flow >25% more (can't remember their exact number quoted).

In the meantime, I'll stick to my GT2560R but I'm considering other options as I installed a built engine last Spring and am closing in on final tuning (18 psi, closed loop EBC). If the boost bug bites hard again I'll get a custom 3" exhaust and likely choose another path for a newer, larger turbo along with a better flowing manifold and DP (must retain P/S and A/C). FM is frustrating to purchase from because so much is so often OOS. Can't purchase engine rebuild kits, have to get custom quotes and even then, a day or two later, those quoted parts might now be OOS.
:dunno:

Not really.

I HATE making the 5 bolt outlets for the T25's. Otherwise I would possibly consider making them.

Im not arguing that the 5 bold is superior to vband. It just seems the turbos with 5 bolt outlets are the most cost effective option for the majority of people. I assume welding that housing shape is huge pain.

Do you sell downpipes for t04e geometry turbots that would work with the 1.8 taco taco manifolds?

5 bolt outlet turbo's are the generally about the cheapest you can get for the actual turbo. Cost of the other parts gets a little hairy. As of right now you have to get a custom downpipe made if you go with the $155 ebay manifolds. I am doubtful that any exhaust shops are willing to do it for cheap. Probably $350-$500 for one to get made.

The outlets are just a pita to build. Especially when trying to factor in clearance with the rear shelf. I understand why BEGI did the divorced pipes, and why FM went with a cast elbow right away. They were probably the cheapest and most reliable way to do it.

I don't make any other downpipes except for my personal setups. I got to the point where I build everything on jigs, and have different parts as minimized as possible across all years. This greatly cuts down on the costs and overhead.

If I was to build downpipes for the tacotaco 1.8 manifold. I don't honestly think I would sell a ton. Having to build NA and NB versions would add to the cost. I would probably price them north of $350, which I think is a price point people buying $155 manifolds and $125 turbos won't really want to pay.

I with there was the cast v-band outlet for the t25 that allowed room for putting a 90 bend behind it. I have tested probably over a dozen different t25 outlets to vbands over the years. None of them have really provided the clearance I need.

I don't know man, cast $150 manifold plus $450 for a down pipe (make it out of mild steel for all i care) gives you a $600 OTS manifold and downpipe, which is by far the cheapest thing on the market. I would buy it... but maybe im crazy. Ok, I am crazy, but that is beside the point.