Ho-Made Manifolds
#1
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Miami, FL
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Sup dudes,
I'm pretty fucked up atm, so, in addition to blasting some Outlaw Country music, I'm kicking around the idea of fabbing up my own turbo manifold.
I currently have this pile of ****:
![](http://www.r1spec.com/ebay/gsp/TURBO%20MANIFOLD/MIATA%201.6%20TURBO%20MANIFOLD%20&%20DOWNPIPE%20SET%20(for%2016g%20turbo)/miatadp.jpg)
Yes, I want to make my car more reliable. I've got the cage, the weighted shift and the Longacre mirror. All that's left is a reliable turbo setup and I can go racing!!!
About me:
When it comes to welding a manifold, I believe I am capable of such a task with my novice MIG experience. While I don't exactly have the girl, I have all the tools, lots of alcohol, some spare cash, the determination and, most importantly, a week off school.
So my plan is this:
1. Buy some weld elbows
2. Put them together
3. ???
4. build positive boost pressure and lift all up and down my street
Am I nuts for attempting this?
Has anyone had any experience with something like this:
http://www.jgstools.com/turbo/index2.html
Thanks in advance,
I'm passin' out.
I'm pretty fucked up atm, so, in addition to blasting some Outlaw Country music, I'm kicking around the idea of fabbing up my own turbo manifold.
I currently have this pile of ****:
![](http://www.r1spec.com/ebay/gsp/TURBO%20MANIFOLD/MIATA%201.6%20TURBO%20MANIFOLD%20&%20DOWNPIPE%20SET%20(for%2016g%20turbo)/miatadp.jpg)
Yes, I want to make my car more reliable. I've got the cage, the weighted shift and the Longacre mirror. All that's left is a reliable turbo setup and I can go racing!!!
About me:
- Pimp
- Novice welder
- Awesome
- STD free
- College student
- Orally fixated
- Independently wealthy
- A gentile
When it comes to welding a manifold, I believe I am capable of such a task with my novice MIG experience. While I don't exactly have the girl, I have all the tools, lots of alcohol, some spare cash, the determination and, most importantly, a week off school.
So my plan is this:
1. Buy some weld elbows
2. Put them together
3. ???
4. build positive boost pressure and lift all up and down my street
Am I nuts for attempting this?
Has anyone had any experience with something like this:
http://www.jgstools.com/turbo/index2.html
Thanks in advance,
I'm passin' out.
#7
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The first log manifold i made was not supa pretty, but it worked pretty damn well, and wouldn't have cracked if i didn't grind down the welds. If you get that kit, use a pretty high amperage when welding, and spend some time with a die grinder smoothing out the inside, should work pretty well.
#12
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
ive built my own, 2 years on and its still going strong,
its very basic, not too pretty but works and was cheap.
i used heavyweight weld on fittings, cut the flange off my old standard manifold, and as said used a die grinder,
but used stick welding, not MIG, also as said, DON'T grind the welds flush, as i did![facepalm](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/facepalm.gif)
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its very basic, not too pretty but works and was cheap.
i used heavyweight weld on fittings, cut the flange off my old standard manifold, and as said used a die grinder,
but used stick welding, not MIG, also as said, DON'T grind the welds flush, as i did
![facepalm](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/facepalm.gif)
![Name: Image050.jpg
Views: 144
Size: 45.8 KB](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/diy-turbo-discussion-14/190642d1501223123-ho-made-manifolds-image050.jpg)
![Name: Image052.jpg
Views: 67
Size: 52.9 KB](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/diy-turbo-discussion-14/190643d1501223123-ho-made-manifolds-image052.jpg)
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Views: 59
Size: 43.6 KB](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/diy-turbo-discussion-14/190644d1501223123-ho-made-manifolds-image054.jpg)
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#15
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
ive built my own, 2 years on and its still going strong,
its very basic, not too pretty but works and was cheap.
i used heavyweight weld on fittings, cut the flange off my old standard manifold, and as said used a die grinder,
but used stick welding, not MIG, also as said, DON'T grind the welds flush, as i did![facepalm](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/facepalm.gif)
its very basic, not too pretty but works and was cheap.
i used heavyweight weld on fittings, cut the flange off my old standard manifold, and as said used a die grinder,
but used stick welding, not MIG, also as said, DON'T grind the welds flush, as i did
![facepalm](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/facepalm.gif)
Smells like lemons.
#16
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'm pretty fucked up atm
I'm kicking around the idea of this pile of ****
I can go racing!!!
About me:
I believe I am capable of such a task with my novice MIG experience.
I have all lots of alcohol and a week off school.
So my plan is this:
1. Buy some weld elbows
2. Put them together
3. ???
4. build positive boost pressure and lift all up and down my street
Has anyone had any experience with something like this
I'm passin' out.
I'm kicking around the idea of this pile of ****
I can go racing!!!
About me:
- Novice welder
I believe I am capable of such a task with my novice MIG experience.
I have all lots of alcohol and a week off school.
So my plan is this:
1. Buy some weld elbows
2. Put them together
3. ???
4. build positive boost pressure and lift all up and down my street
Has anyone had any experience with something like this
I'm passin' out.
#18
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'm kinda in the same 16g failboat. Here's my 3 options(opinions):
1. Create the manifold exactly like the Chinese **** one so you can re-used your dp. only problem is the close proximity to the hood/ brake lines.
2. Create the manifold in a way that the turbine housing is place forward; more like the cast iron T3 eBay piece. You would have some more clearance from the brake resivior(sp?), but would still have to fabricate a odd looking downpipe.
3. make a bottom mount log style manifold. Keeps heat away from the brake system, & makes fabricating the downpipe easier.
1. Create the manifold exactly like the Chinese **** one so you can re-used your dp. only problem is the close proximity to the hood/ brake lines.
2. Create the manifold in a way that the turbine housing is place forward; more like the cast iron T3 eBay piece. You would have some more clearance from the brake resivior(sp?), but would still have to fabricate a odd looking downpipe.
3. make a bottom mount log style manifold. Keeps heat away from the brake system, & makes fabricating the downpipe easier.
#19
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
My advice based on the very good results I've had with my setup would be to buy this manifold for $140 shipped, pick up an inexpensive T3 frame turbo, and then use your welding skills to build a nice (and simple) downpipe. You could probably use most of the piping from the one you already have.
Then you can sell the Mitsu turbo, which should cover most or all of your costs! The Ebay cast manifold is bulletproof as far as I can tell. If you build one yourself "is it going to break today?" will always be in the back of your mind.
Then you can sell the Mitsu turbo, which should cover most or all of your costs! The Ebay cast manifold is bulletproof as far as I can tell. If you build one yourself "is it going to break today?" will always be in the back of your mind.