Opinions on DIY mani and how to make it stronger
#1
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (15)
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Incline Village, NV
Posts: 2,034
Total Cats: 5
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Snaged a new motor today and the previous owner gave me his DIY mani/dp and since the funds are kinda tight i was thinking of just using what i have. Savington brought up a good point about how the OEM header was not made to hold the weight of a turbo, and this DIY mani is clearly made out of parts of the OEM header.
Take a look:
![Name: IMG_0231.jpg
Views: 133
Size: 91.5 KB](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/diy-turbo-discussion-14/210683d1501261542-opinions-diy-mani-how-make-stronger-img_0231.jpg)
![Name: IMG_0232.jpg
Views: 115
Size: 85.6 KB](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/diy-turbo-discussion-14/210684d1501261542-opinions-diy-mani-how-make-stronger-img_0232.jpg)
![Name: IMG_0233.jpg
Views: 131
Size: 82.6 KB](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/diy-turbo-discussion-14/210685d1501261542-opinions-diy-mani-how-make-stronger-img_0233.jpg)
![](http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/thesnowboarder/IMG_0234.jpg)
How might i make this thing last a while?
Take a look:
![Name: IMG_0231.jpg
Views: 133
Size: 91.5 KB](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/diy-turbo-discussion-14/210683d1501261542-opinions-diy-mani-how-make-stronger-img_0231.jpg)
![Name: IMG_0232.jpg
Views: 115
Size: 85.6 KB](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/diy-turbo-discussion-14/210684d1501261542-opinions-diy-mani-how-make-stronger-img_0232.jpg)
![Name: IMG_0233.jpg
Views: 131
Size: 82.6 KB](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/diy-turbo-discussion-14/210685d1501261542-opinions-diy-mani-how-make-stronger-img_0233.jpg)
![](http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y230/thesnowboarder/IMG_0234.jpg)
How might i make this thing last a while?
#3
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (15)
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Incline Village, NV
Posts: 2,034
Total Cats: 5
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
something like this?
http://www.bellengineering.net/image...e/P3180845.JPG
Edit: that flange looks significantly thicker as well
http://www.bellengineering.net/image...e/P3180845.JPG
Edit: that flange looks significantly thicker as well
#7
Boost Czar
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/admin.png)
iTrader: (62)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 79,607
Total Cats: 4,102
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
something like this?
http://www.bellengineering.net/image...e/P3180845.JPG
Edit: that flange looks significantly thicker as well
http://www.bellengineering.net/image...e/P3180845.JPG
Edit: that flange looks significantly thicker as well
no...The manifold is supported by seven inches of 3/4" Aluminum Rod.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/naughty.gif)
#11
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I think the brace needs to run from the turbo flange down to the block, or the motor mount. Both dvcn and I have SSAutochrome manifolds braces that way and they're surviving. I'm using some round mild steel rod. It does a nice job of supporting while having some give for expansion/contraction. I originally went with square tube, but it eventually tore. So I sectioning the square and welded up some solid rod in the center.
![](http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t86/m2cupcar/FE3%20engine%20swap/8131_braces1.jpg)