E30 turbo manifold design question

[Joey Link]

I've been looking at turbo kits for the E30 for a while now and I'm seeing two variations. First is the 524td-style one, as pictured in the first picture. Second is the equal length design in picture two. What I'd like to know is what are the benefits and drawbacks of each style of manifold? I'm planning on turbocharging my 1990 325i with very little money, and it seems the easiest way to achieve that for the time being would be a 524td manifold, although alot of people say they're crap. I'm curious to know why? are the output levels alot different?

[Mpower///_tyron]

Imo its just effiency, look at them and compare, just think how much faster the single tube is going to heat up at. It also looks like the second pic has alot more potential.

[gig]

its so easy to make a half decent equal length manifold im half way through an e30 325 turbo conversion havent hit any real snags yet heres a pic of my manifold its far from finished but shoud do the job i just used an old 6 branch manifold that i picked up cheap and cut it about abit



are you intending to uprate your internals im part way through rebuilding my whole engine but as its a test bed im using standard parts with a thick copper head gasket to lower the compretion once im happy i know what im doing i will build another engine with forged internals amongst other things keep me updated mate on how your getting on

[Joey Link]

For the time being I'm going to stick with stock internals, a thicker head gasket, and a conservative boost level. However, I do have future plans for a full rebuild with forged internals.

[johnnybe30]

where is that equal length header from?

[Joey Link]

It's from a thread in the for sale section of e30tech.com

[gig]

look at this site its what got me started also if your after a decent manifold use the pro turbo link at the bottom of the page there maniolds look lovvvely

http://webk.uk.ask.com/redir?u=http%...rl=&Complete=1

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[JJG323]

Originally Posted by joey93turbo

It's from a thread in the for sale section of e30tech.com

This is Dan's design based upon, the
Proturbo equal lenght mani in sweden.
I would recommend this along with a forged 524td crank, and forged pistons for maxium boost.

[matt325is]

You can also use an adapter, such as the Proturbo adapter. Its a lot less than the full mani. This is my setup, I had to add the wastegate addition to it. More pics are on http://www.e30tech.com/featured/matt and http://www.mkosonen.com

Turbocharging Dynamics sells a good log style manifold, probably the best flowing log for our car (compared to cartech and the 524td). I believe its around $600. If you know or learn how to weld, it will save you a lot of money in this stage.



matt

[Joey Link]

So is that the stock manifold with an adapter or what? I'm not sure what I'm looking at.

[matt325is]

Originally Posted by joey93turbo

So is that the stock manifold with an adapter or what? I'm not sure what I'm looking at.

Yep, uses the stock exhaust manifolds, and loops up to the turbo. It has a wastegate addition off the bottoms of the runners to save space on the top of the engine bay. Works quite well.

matt

[Joey Link]

Would you say this is the most cost effective way to achieve 300rwhp or can a 524td modified for a wastegate handle that?

[Mpower///_tyron]

hey matt I love your car man its awesome, you said you would need to weld? what type of welding did you do on you manifold? tig or mig? thnx

[matt325is]

Originally Posted by joey93turbo

Would you say this is the most cost effective way to achieve 300rwhp or can a 524td modified for a wastegate handle that?

I'd suggest using an adapter or the TCD manifold for 300+whp. The 524td manifold may have flow issues, and requires modification (and more modification if you want to fit an external wastegate).

Tyron- I used a flux core wire feed welder (mig without gas) to weld the wastegate extension and most of my exhaust as well. I used tig for intercooler pipes and the exhaust tips, and gas mig for other parts of my exhaust.

matt

[Mpower///_tyron]

thnx alot matt, yur car is just a dream man, how does it handle on the track?