E36 Turbo Manifolds

[eficalibrator]

I'm kicking around the idea of assembling a high quality turbo kit for an upcoming E36 M3 project. I have plenty of experience installing and tuning turbocharged V8 domestic cars, just looking for BMW specific info here. I've already done the basic searches on here, but still have a few remaining questions about the current options for turbocharger manifolds.

Does anyone here have the Turbonetics casting? Is it set up for on-center or tangential turbine mount?

Are there any other equivalent cast manifolds with a T3 flange? I know the Cartech piece is for T4, which would be too large for good efficiency at my target power level. What size flange is on the AA piece or the Australian copy? Any personal experience with the Aussie copy?

I'll keep you guys posted as the project takes shape...

[mattduncan]

Originally Posted by eficalibrator

I'm kicking around the idea of assembling a high quality turbo kit for an upcoming E36 M3 project. I have plenty of experience installing and tuning turbocharged V8 domestic cars, just looking for BMW specific info here. I've already done the basic searches on here, but still have a few remaining questions about the current options for turbocharger manifolds.

Does anyone here have the Turbonetics casting? Is it set up for on-center or tangential turbine mount?

Are there any other equivalent cast manifolds with a T3 flange? I know the Cartech piece is for T4, which would be too large for good efficiency at my target power level. What size flange is on the AA piece or the Australian copy? Any personal experience with the Aussie copy?

I'll keep you guys posted as the project takes shape...

I believe cartech also makes a t3 flanged manifold. The aa manifold is a t3 flange and so is the turbonetics manifold.

[eficalibrator]

Originally Posted by mattduncan

I believe cartech also makes a t3 flanged manifold. The aa manifold is a t3 flange and so is the turbonetics manifold.

Again, any idea as which of these are designed for on-center versus tangential turbine placement?

[Turbomaniac]

Can you believe this price, and its a good looking manifold!!!!
http://www.ssautochrome.com/level.itml/icOid/1353

[eficalibrator]

Good looking, perhaps. Bordenline spam post, perhaps. Equal to a good casting in durability and thermal efficiency, doubtful. Anyone else?

Remember, peak power is not the goal here. I'm looking to put together an engineered system with good quality components that won't require any extraordinary maintainance down the road. I'm not impressed by bragging rights of 500, 600, 700hp... I've done that plenty of times before.

[Ralliart]

Good to see another Detroit guy around here. There is a guy called EMC and he posts here. His name is Eric and has a shop in the Livonia area. Just do a search here for his name and you will see what he is capable of. It might serve you well to pick his brain and have a look around.

[Dado]

Originally Posted by Turbomaniac

Can you believe this price, and its a good looking manifold!!!!
http://www.ssautochrome.com/level.itml/icOid/1353

damn that's cheap!

[eficalibrator]

Just found a couple of his posts on there this evening and sent him a message. Hopefully I'll get a chance to meet him in person. I'm still working on finding local resources. So far, I've only talked to Bob @ Nicholas Motorsport, but it doesn't seem they do much F/I work other than the Dinan combos. I have plenty of experience with forced induction, and the background to properly engineer an efficient system. I'm just looking for help with the hard parts to make it happen easier.

I need to finish getting the actual race car prepped for this season before I delve into the M3 project, but it has my attention in the spare moments.

[Turbomaniac]

I wanted to get a M3, but i ended up getting a 94' 325is. Last summer I built and installed a custom turbo on my miata. This summer the plan is to build a kit for the 325 around that manifold. I will post pictures as soon as I get home and get to work.

[E36Bmer]

Originally Posted by Turbomaniac

Can you believe this price, and its a good looking manifold!!!!
http://www.ssautochrome.com/level.itml/icOid/1353

Please! No one get that manifold. I have seen far to many people with imports buy these manifolds and get burned. They are really thin, and although it says stainless steel I saw where a guy bought them and they came and were oxidized inside . The piping was small in diameter and just overall was a bad build quality. A buddy of mine got a set on his 240 and he's sent them back twice already for a new set, lifetime warranty but what good is that if you have to take your car apart every week.