Kennysgreen280zt

Well I started working on the manifold today. First off was the most dangerous way of elongating the holes. I clamped the manifold into the vise on the bridgeport and tilted the head back. I was using a 4 flute 1/2 carbide endmill. It chattered really bad, but the holes are about .050" longer in each direction now. There are a few that will need to go longer, but im going to get them with the grinder and a small carbide tool. Next I tackled the flange. I cut a pie shape out of the flange about .750" on the large side and just hammered the flange down untill it sat flush with the main part of the manifold. I could have gotten away with only cutting a .500" pie out of the manifold, but I cut more than I needed. Im going to start welding it up tomorrow, and relocate the wastegate flange a bit closer to the collector. This picture is after hammering it down, I forgot to take one prior. Finally its in there, with the turbo bolted to it. Im pretty sure there is enough clearance around the turbo, the valve covers and the fender. The compressor housing is a .70 trim and should have a 60-1 wheel in it. A smaller turbo would end up having alot of room Im excited, this is the first 'real' work ive done on my car in a few months and it feels good. I also got new wheels in today (woot for 17's!)

Which two holes did you have to slot out? I will start with those two, hopefully thats all it will take. Im definitally going to be cutting up mine as well. At the least, to move the flange and shorten up that wastegate tube.

That will be killer. I loved my little S12, it was a good car and I beat the crap out of it. I actually wouldnt mind another for a daily driver. Is that an aluminum block?

Bahahhahahah deathrace 2000..... CLASSIC!!! im suprised it didnt win an award of some sort

So I bought the SS autochrome 'top mount' header off ebay. I didnt really expect much and as such im not suprised how it fits. Im sure it wont be much of a problem to fix, or make it fit. I took some pics and will put little captions with each pic. The part itself is decent condition. It is stainless, and is polished nicely. The welds look to be TIG and are pretty good. The flanges are an acceptable thickness. They include a hardware kit, more on that later. Also it came with new gaskets (not OEM) The biggest problem ive heard with these manifolds is cracking, I believe a brace or two to the turbo will keep this from happening. The first step was getting it in, or on, whichever you like. Im using the rick wong mounts and initially had a fear of it hitting the mounts. Turns out once its in, the manifold itself doesnt hit anything. This is where the fun started.... The flange is lazer/plazma cut and the stud holes dont line up with the head bolt pattern. The first three ports are good, and the rear three ports are good, but getting all 12 studs to line up doesnt happen. I will have to wait till monday to elongate the holes at work, so for a temporary solution I started taking exhaust studs out untill the thing slid on. I think the holes are only going to need .040" - .060" more to fit. As you can see in the pictures, once in it has good clearance from everything in the engine bay. The brake lines of course will need a heat shield or thermal wrap. Also the #6 runner is a bit close to the fire wall. A 3" DP might be a tight fit. Here is a 3" tube placed in the rear to see how tight it would be for a down pipe. And here it is without the 3" tube Next I go to grab my turbo shell ive got laying around. Its a standard T3 Ford style exhaust housing, and a to4 compressor housing. I couldnt believe this one. The exhaust housing actually hits the valve cover, and the compressor housing... well I left it off cause it wouldnt sit on the flange with it on. There is plenty of room to cut the manifold to point the flange vertical, or slightly tward the fender, which should clear up this issue. I cant imagine what turbo would work here, with a T3 flange? First pic is from the front. Arrows point to points of contact or lack of contact in the case of the flange. And here is from the exhuast side Last, I go to bolt my Tial 38mm onto it. I screwed in the supplied studs, and slide it on. The 'dump' side of the wastegate points right at the block. The flange and tube are laid out in a way that it should be easy to relocate the wastegate to where ever I feel like under the manifold. Alright, now after all that im sure your depressed, but ive got a plan. It is as follows. Step 1 is to slot all the mounting holes Step 2 is to cut a slit between each port to allow for some expansion when heated Step 3 is to relocate the wastegate either by rotating the flange, or the tube its attached to Step 4 is to cut the T3 flange off and angle it the opposite direction to allow the turbo to fit. Step 5 (optional) is to re route that #6 runner and create a bit of extra room for a down pipe. There is room for it now, but I would like a little more. I also plan on getting the manifold coated in some ceramic stuff. I dont like the way the stainless looks after a few heat cycles. Hopefully that will be enough to make this thing last for a while. I paid $89 + shipping for it. I dont think I could have gotten a flange, and tubing for that price so I think its alright that its going to take some work to fit. Comments are welcome, as is advice. Sorry for the long post but I havent seen anything discussed about this style manifold.

Im going to have to shave my rain gutters, that looks really slick. Also your rear fenders are good too. How did you finish the rear of the fenders?

Rad, we had one of those in the shop when I was like 14... a few(12) years ago. Ill post a few up when I get home.

Is that a cadillac V16?

I saw that.... maybe everyone has just blocked it out of thier head.

Ive never really been a fan of this type kit, I could always tell it was a datsun.... BUT as a drop top it looks awesome!!! Have fun with that thing, I will be keeping my eye on the thread for updates

300whp isnt a big deal with the stock manifold. I will chime in for complaining about the NA-T setup. While I know it was my own fault for the failure, I did crack 4 ringlands on the stock (75) NA pistons. It was a great combo of too much timing, not enough fuel and too much boost all at once. If it was me, my 300hp L plan would be as follows. Stock turbo bottom end reringed and new bearings. 2mm Metal headgastket, ARP studs, N42 or P90, whichever you find. 440cc injectors, and megasquirt. Turbo would be a smaller T3/4 w/ 3" down pipe, and a decent Ebay intercooler. Thats maybe, on the high end $2k that your going to spend and it will barf out 300whp all day long.

What year is that engine? Im sure its not the first ally block made, ALOT of cars from the late 1800's and early 1900's used aluminum blocks with cast iron cyl 'jugs'

Those are minty. I sold my original hubcaps (75) which were in almost the same condition for $100.... and I thought I made out like a bandit.

Rad! Im a F1 fan. No idea who will win. Did you set the trip up yourself, or are you going with like GP tours or something similar? I wanted to go, but no one wanted to go with me, so I will be watching on SPEED

Starion wheels? I havent seen anyone with a full set of them yet.... too bad my Z isnt running yet