Skunk2 manifold worth it on hotside M62/BP05 combo?
 

There have been some posts on the effectiveness of the Skunk2 over the VICS mani on the 95 era BP05 head, i’m just wondering if any of you supercharger guys can weigh in on this. I feel like my hot side M62 set up loses some punch in the high end, flat top won’t fit my car but the skunk2 will. I have already purchased a better flowing intercooler and charge pipe run, does anybody have any direct experience justifying the $400 manifold with an Eaton set up?

I'm not sure if your SC mounting brackets would be the same/compatible but you'd probably be better off swapping to a BP4w head instead of the Skunk2, since both would end up being similar costs.

Wow excellent reply. My ride is a BP swapped mx3, (I use this site for tuning questions because most mods use KLZ engines). I will have to do a little research as I use the Kia made BP but I’m pretty sure that head can be modified to fit on my motor, the biggest problem would be I would have to reuse my VICS manifold. The skunk Manny is reversible and woodwork in either chassis.

This has definitely got my head working now because an actual BPT manifold would work in my car as well. I don’t know how hard it is to get a hold of one of those, but any other advice would be welcome

I would think to ask if a skunk manifold paired with a 4w head would work in your application.

I agree. I found this BPT manifold but shipped is almost as much as the skunk and I don’t think it would bolt to a 4W. I’m pretty sure Flyin’ Miata has bolted a 4W to a Kia block, I’m going to hold off on ordering stuff until I do a little more research because it sounds like the 4W head is the way to go if I really wanted to open up on the highway

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Well the port height on the Bp4w head is much higher than the bp05 so no manifold will be cross compatible, skunk or otherwise. They’ll bolt up but the ports will be half blocked. However you could move to a native Bp4w manifold, they change hands pretty cheaply on here, or go to a square top which are a good bit less than the skunk, and flow better than any other OEM manifold.

The skunk manifold has dual bolt patterns for both head port positions, Monkey. I don't know if it will fit his transverse application, though.

I have done a little more homework, the 4W head will definitely fit my block with a little work on cooling location and some other little details. And here is an answer to the question on the flexibility of the Skunk2 manifold.. of course a $400 question turns into a $1000 question overnight, but that’s what we do here right? 😂
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Ahh, my bad, did not realize that. Thought they sold two different variants.

OP: you’re welcome? For doubling your budget

The ad that refers to the Skunk2 as a ‘flat top killer’ isn’t really too accurate from what I understand either, at least for you Miata guys. The flat top and the skunk are pretty close in performance but the flat top would point the wrong way on my FWD BP, making the reversible skunk2 a viable option for a better high end flow.

OP: you’re welcome? For doubling your budget[/QUOTE]
Hey no problem. I think I’m gonna go ahead and install my new intercooler and charge pipes and this 38 mm blow off I already paid for, and then maybe keep an eye open for sales on these two items for a next round this summer maybe. In the meanwhile I’m going to enjoy the rally car performance of my current build

Well to anyone following this thread, I made a decision, at least for now to maximize my current engine by ordering the 323 GTR intake. The protégé turbo guys don’t have quite the SCIENCE that I find on this site, but they all seem to be in agreement that the GTR manifold is the way to go for a boosted, front wheel drive BP.
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I spent $313 shipped, with the only drawback being that I would have to have a new flange welded on if I do go to the 4W head in future. However, I’m about to run a new charge pipes and I won’t have to recut them for a different throttle location ( yes I like living dangerously I run down stream throttle on an M62, but that is how the Mercedes C230 I pulled the unit off of was set up) Just for kicks I have included a picture of my new frostbite intercooler with a Mazda speed Miata version that I used to use for comparison. Once I get all the stuff together, along with the new paint that you can also see in the picture LOL, I will repost and let you guys know How she feels, maybe even get her on a Dino LOL

You will have to modify your GTR intake manifold flange to fit on a BP4W head. This is how I did mine.

Chop the bottom ears off and weld bar stock in place. Plug weld the top holes. Lay the intake gasket down, mark the holes and drill them. Some weld needs to be added to the top edge of the flange because the gasket is just a bit high and protrudes over the edge of it. I also had to grind down that weld build up just a bit to clear the injectors afterwards.


Unless you have someone that can weld it up and do the machining for cheap, you'll be money ahead with a skunk2 if you want a BP4W. Those didn't exist when I built my car.



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Well I received the GTR manifold Monday.. I’m already modifying the TB to fit and avoid a bunch of wiring harness & tuning headaches.. You are probably right on this one but I am in it now already LOL. Curious though, did you see a significant performance increase from the 4W head install itself? I would think part of the original advantage of that motor was higher compression pistons, Which of course may not be an advantage in a supercharged mod

Its definitely a noticeable upgrade from a BP05 head.

I had a BP05 head with BP26 cams. I put an adjustable cam gear on the intake cam of the BP4W head and retarded it 4 degrees to take some of the overlap out.

thanks, great info. I have an exhaust cam I have been toying with dropping into the intake side, probably with an adjustable gear to tune it in. The head will have to wait a bit, but at least I know what I’m in for😁