New Artec VBand Low Mount Cast Manifold

[slider2828]

I am sure some of you guys seen artec stuff on supra, but they finally are doing the SR20 low mount cast! They are doing vbands too! I asked them about 2 years ago when the released the high mount and they said they were working on it.... pretty excited about this plug and play solution for vband. Probably coat it black and really make it stealthy.....

https://artecperformance.com/collections/nissan/SR20

Vband low mount


T25 low mount

[slider2828]

Also would be cool to add one of these. Turbo Smart Straight Gates.

[brndck]

i'm very keen on their manifolds, and will prob snag a top mount when its time for a new turbskee.

v-band + low mount is a very appealing option tho, esp since its designed around a G-series. I would need G25-550 or possibly G30.

[tuzzio]

I've seen a few in person, and they're very neat.

[slider2828]

Originally Posted by brndck

i'm very keen on their manifolds, and will prob snag a top mount when its time for a new turbskee.

v-band + low mount is a very appealing option tho, esp since its designed around a G-series. I would need G25-550 or possibly G30.

Yeah low mount G25 with an upgrade Turbosmart IWG.... should be fine....

Would be an awesome package and with Vband.... can take it off easy for service.....

Same will go this route when I go with new turbo

[AKADriver]

Damn that's gorgeous. I wonder if they're working on a KA version too?

[tuzzio]

Originally Posted by AKADriver

Damn that's gorgeous. I wonder if they're working on a KA version too?

I'd be curious how the fitment of the existing KA manifold would fit flipped upside down, as the flange is reversible.

[jr_ss]

They are nice manifolds, but the price is a bit steep for a cast unit. Maybe I’ve been out of the game for a bit, but can’t you get a tubular manifold for a couple hundred cheaper than this?

I’m not sure I see the benefits of this over say a 6boost or Sinco factory location replacement.

[AKADriver]

Originally Posted by tuzzio

I'd be curious how the fitment of the existing KA manifold would fit flipped upside down, as the flange is reversible.

It looks like it might work since they put the v-band flange in line with cyl #2 in top mount config, so it would be, at least front to back, in the right place. The flange looks like it would be closer to and angled towards the block though? Could use a reverse rotation turbo.

[slider2828]

Originally Posted by jr_ss

They are nice manifolds, but the price is a bit steep for a cast unit. Maybe I?ve been out of the game for a bit, but can?t you get a tubular manifold for a couple hundred cheaper than this?

I?m not sure I see the benefits of this over say a 6boost or Sinco factory location replacement.

Just checked 6boost, they are like 850 english pounds , which is close to 1100 USD. Also they are welded.... So the price is about the same, but Adam LZ carry's Artec so we can have it stocked stateside with cheaper shipping.

Cast I think should resist cracking better, hold more heat for the turbo, and reduce heat under the engine bay... I assume....

I think that would be the additional benefit..... I think ISR manifolds are $600 but not sure how good they are.

[jr_ss]

Originally Posted by slider2828

Just checked 6boost, they are like 850 english pounds , which is close to 1100 USD. Also they are welded.... So the price is about the same, but Adam LZ carry's Artec so we can have it stocked stateside with cheaper shipping.

Cast I think should resist cracking better, hold more heat for the turbo, and reduce heat under the engine bay... I assume....

I think that would be the additional benefit..... I think ISR manifolds are $600 but not sure how good they are.

The 6boost is a stock location replacement though, where the Artec is not, which would minimize fabrication.

The cast piece may retain more heat, but with separated runners, that is probably marginal. Material used in construction also plays a role in that.

[slider2828]

Is it not stock location the artec? The low mounts are?

[AKADriver]

Nope.

This is NOT a direct replacement of the stock low mount design. We made this design to remove some of the issues that come with the factory design such as poor intake design and allowances, poor down pipe design and space.

Our design allows for 3" and 4" intakes as well as easy to fabricate 3" and 3.5" down pipes.

It might be close but they're expecting you to fab your own piping and not use any of the stock location stuff.

[slider2828]

Yeah agreed, I mean going a turbo made in the last 5 years, probably going vband everything and don't need to mess with bolts on the turbo, which already be a win..... but its an option....

[jr_ss]

Originally Posted by AKADriver

Nope. It might be close but they're expecting you to fab your own piping and not use any of the stock location stuff.

Originally Posted by slider2828

Yeah agreed, I mean going a turbo made in the last 5 years, probably going vband everything and don't need to mess with bolts on the turbo, which already be a win..... but its an option....

I?d be concerned with how far away from the head the turbo flange is positioned. Without the V-band (why else would you buy this manifold) you may run into steering shaft encroachment issues.

I would like to assume Artec did their due diligence here, but I do not recall seeing it specifically fitting LHD cars?

[A DOG 406]

If only they made an external wastegate version!!!!!
SR, Bottom Mount, Cast, T25 and external is almost impossible to find!

[tuzzio]

Originally Posted by jr_ss

but the price is a bit steep for a cast unit.

We should mention these are investment cast (which is different than sand casting) and stainless steel. Not your average cast turbo manifold.

Also, with the way the investment casting works, it allows a larger diameter of piping / tubing configuration that fabricators / welders will work with. Thats the appeal / price tag.

[jr_ss]

Originally Posted by tuzzio

We should mention these are investment cast (which is different than sand casting) and stainless steel. Not your average cast turbo manifold.

Also, with the way the investment casting works, it allows a larger diameter of piping / tubing configuration that fabricators / welders will work with. Thats the appeal / price tag.

While I agree it is a better method, at the end of the day, it?s still cast?

[tuzzio]

Originally Posted by jr_ss

it's still cast?

While I get this train of thought, as a lot of manifolds are poor quality castings with very little quality /performance in mind: I'll challenge you to think a little bit more on the subject.

Your block, the heart of your car, is cast from the factory. (Yes I know aftermarkets have billet offerings). The bulk of your turbo is cast as well. But nobody bats an eye at this?

Castings are good enough for aerospace components, including, but not limited to gearboxes.

If we wanted to be nerds about it, we could take a name brand welded manifold and an artec manifold, and have them x-rayed and see what it looks like at the stress points (runners, and under the turbo flange) and compare.

I'm not saying that i'm certified in RT, i'm just saying, I can make this happen if I get two manifolds sent to me and people want to pay the shipping both ways.

Its not always a question of the manufacturing process or the material make up, sometimes we forget that X company said "this is good enough to put our name on and sell"

I'll be flat out, I worked for 7 years at an aluminum and magnesium foundry. Do I have a welded manifold? Yes I do (artec didn't have a KA manifold at the time) But i'll also tell you that my Xcessive intake manifold has shrink inside the plenum by where the cylinder 4 runner meets. Shrink is good enough for their Name / Product (that is no longer made)

[pacotaco345]

It would look good cerakoted yellow like a bunch of bananas

[jr_ss]

Originally Posted by tuzzio

While I get this train of thought, as a lot of manifolds are poor quality castings with very little quality /performance in mind: I'll challenge you to think a little bit more on the subject.

Your block, the heart of your car, is cast from the factory. (Yes I know aftermarkets have billet offerings). The bulk of your turbo is cast as well. But nobody bats an eye at this?

Castings are good enough for aerospace components, including, but not limited to gearboxes.

If we wanted to be nerds about it, we could take a name brand welded manifold and an artec manifold, and have them x-rayed and see what it looks like at the stress points (runners, and under the turbo flange) and compare.

I'm not saying that i'm certified in RT, i'm just saying, I can make this happen if I get two manifolds sent to me and people want to pay the shipping both ways.

Its not always a question of the manufacturing process or the material make up, sometimes we forget that X company said "this is good enough to put our name on and sell"

I'll be flat out, I worked for 7 years at an aluminum and magnesium foundry. Do I have a welded manifold? Yes I do (artec didn't have a KA manifold at the time) But i'll also tell you that my Xcessive intake manifold has shrink inside the plenum by where the cylinder 4 runner meets. Shrink is good enough for their Name / Product (that is no longer made)

This is a fair point. My point was, if I?m buying a manifold, one that throws heat retention to the wind (both tubular and this cast manifold do) i?d choose the tubular unit simply because it is easier to repair, should a manifold crack. Let me be clear, I do not believe this manifold will crack or a quality manifold such as, but not limited too, Full-Race, 6boost, Sinco, Doc-Race, etc, would either.

With that said, what foundry do you work at?

[slider2828]

Just a newbie question, I assume if the cast is of good quality, would wall thickness of the base + density of the cast make it more resistant to cracking than a tubular steel manifold when going through 1000s of heat cycles?

I would assume steel like most metal loses integrity over time when heat cycled at the temperatures that an exhaust manifold reaches?

[jr_ss]

Originally Posted by slider2828

Just a newbie question, I assume if the cast is of good quality, would wall thickness of the base + density of the cast make it more resistant to cracking than a tubular steel manifold when going through 1000s of heat cycles?

I would assume steel like most metal loses integrity over time when heat cycled at the temperatures that an exhaust manifold reaches?

I would think that is strictly based on the stresses the manifold sees. Hanging a 15-20lb turbo off the side, plus the movement of the downpipe may play a larger role than one thinks in whether or not it fails. It would behoove the owner to support the turbo with a drain support system and add the necessary flex section to the exhaust piping.

Ultimately, anything can crack given enough stresses and heat cycles.

[tuzzio]

Originally Posted by jr_ss

With that said, what foundry do you work at?

My previous employer was Yankee Casting in Enfield, CT.

[jr_ss]

Originally Posted by tuzzio

My previous employer was Yankee Casting in Enfield, CT.

What are you doing now? I?ll be in Fishkill, NY in a week or so. I frequently Worcester, MA as well.

[tuzzio]

Originally Posted by jr_ss

What are you doing now? I?ll be in Fishkill, NY in a week or so. I frequently Worcester, MA as well.

I'm now the Operations Manager at an aftermarket car part retail company.
Fishkill is about an hour and 45 away, Worcester is about an hour, you're likely driving past my area on 91. Interesting!

[jr_ss]

Originally Posted by tuzzio

I'm now the Operations Manager at an aftermarket car part retail company.
Fishkill is about an hour and 45 away, Worcester is about an hour, you're likely driving past my area on 91. Interesting!

That must mean you?re around Springfield. I stay in that area frequently.

[tuzzio]

Originally Posted by jr_ss

That must mean you?re around Springfield. I stay in that area frequently.

Very unfortunate for you...haha. I assume you stay at most of the areas by the hall of fame, MGM, etc.

Yeah, thats about 20 minutes from me. Thats a lot of driving for you...and a shitty drive too.

[jr_ss]

Originally Posted by tuzzio

Very unfortunate for you...haha. I assume you stay at most of the areas by the hall of fame, MGM, etc.

Yeah, thats about 20 minutes from me. Thats a lot of driving for you...and a shitty drive too.

Yep, stay at the Hilton adjacent to the HoF or Hampton Inn on the opposite side of 91.

I?m good with the drive. It doesn?t bother me at all. I?m usually in the area quarterly visiting with multiple customers, so it makes sense to drive. Occasionally, if I have a random trip I?ll fly in and rent a car.