FYI: You be the judge

[HaLo]

Well, I went with cheap parts. I am sorry.

I just recently bought the SS Autochrome Generation II SS Manifold and the turbo elbow. I took some pics to show you what I think about the product.

The manifold seems quite nice. Actually, I am impressed with the improvements they put on it. Since most of them were cracking because of turbo weight with vibration, they tried their best to reinforce their current design.

Manifold:
www.apaspeed.com/oktay/manifold/IMG_0344.JPG
www.apaspeed.com/oktay/manifold/IMG_0346.JPG
www.apaspeed.com/oktay/manifold/IMG_0347.JPG


Notice on this picture how EACH runner as a small reinforcement? Might not do much, but it's better than nothing.
www.apaspeed.com/oktay/manifold/IMG_0345.JPG


Another piece of reinforcement at the runner junction:
www.apaspeed.com/oktay/manifold/IMG_0350.JPG

This is the best part: an included bracket to reduce vibration...
www.apaspeed.com/oktay/manifold/IMG_0351.JPG
www.apaspeed.com/oktay/manifold/IMG_0352.JPG


Now let's talk about the elbow. Very nice design, 2 different runners: one for wastegate and one for the exhaust. That's to reduce turbulence...

Now let's diss on that part because that one is FAR from perfect. First of all, I had to HAMMER the bolt under the wastegate runner because there was not enough space to fit it in... And second, the freakin' thing touches the steering column. Now, I should have expected this from such a cheap (price-wise) part. I might bang that runner to make it clear my column. What do you think?


Elbow:
www.apaspeed.com/oktay/manifold/IMG_0337.JPG
www.apaspeed.com/oktay/manifold/IMG_0340.JPG
www.apaspeed.com/oktay/manifold/IMG_0342.JPG
www.apaspeed.com/oktay/manifold/IMG_0343.JPG


Please take in mind that both part cost me a huge 243$ shipped to my place. It's not expensive... And if it crackes.. At least it won't have cost me a lot.

[S14DB]

The Manifold looks much better.

I worry about the bung being in the pipe blocking exhaust flow and creating turbulance the seperated wastegate was suposed to fix.

[HaLo]

You know, I haven't thought about that one... But looking quickly at the stock elbow and this one, both have about same diameter (exhaust side) and the bung was in the stock elbow at the same location...

[mrmephistopheles]

that bracket should've been in the original design. they've had that sort of thing on mani's here for ages.

[HaLo]

10 hours later, it's fully installed.

The elbow clears the column by 1mm... but when the torque kicks in, i really feel it in the steering wheel... any suggestions?

As for power, I did not push the car, yet.

As for sound, it's completely different... it's nice but I need to get used to it...

[mrmephistopheles]

Originally Posted by HaLo

The elbow clears the column by 1mm... but when the torque kicks in, i really feel it in the steering wheel... any suggestions?

What engine/trans mounts do you have? Got an engine torque dampener?

[HaLo]

I still have the stock mounts but I do have a torque damper... might fill my front mounts with urethane... anyways, I got an appointment to have the elbow modified to clear the column..


I can really hear my turbo... And it's really loud.... I wonder if it's a leak or just the way it is. No losses in boost, only turbo whistling..

[HaLo]

And finally, butt-dyno DID notice a DECENT power gain on boost...
maybe 10hp on 10psi...

[HaLo]

Justto let you guys know, the problem is solved now. I had a shop heat the elbow and deform it so I have 1 cm clearance.

sounds greats.
pulls like crazy...

It's a great upgrade for the price and it really gives you some butt dyno HP. I have to dyno it to have a real figure, but response and spool up time are so quick now..

[mrmephistopheles]

kickass.
The louder sound of the turbine is probably due to the thinner piping of the exhaust manifold and elbow.

[HaLo]

Yeah... that's what it is... I tought originally that it was caused by a leak... But I am not losing any boost and the elbow has been taken off an put back on by the shop...

[DRIFTING_SIL_EIGHTY]

yea i just installed one on my car this weekend along with an s14 turbo and it feels great. kinda scared about the cracking part but hopefully that little bracket for the manifold helps support the weight. i showed it to a guy at a shop called AfterHours and he liked it as well. he couldnt believe how cheap it was. his only comment though about it was that he said that they paired it wrong. basically the 2 outer pipes shouldve been paired together and the 2 inner together. i didnt get a chance to ask him why but he said the design was fine. but yea if it breaks at least it wasnt too expensive.

[Steeles]

good stuff halo get it on the dyno and get pics of that orange glow was it alot more responsive? my stuff clears tranny and steering rack by a good amount but then mines S14 so eh who knows cant wait to get mine running again

edit; cot damn I cant type!

[Var]

that pretty sick, Let us know when it breaks. *not being an asshole* seriously i wanna know how long it lasts.

[sykikchimp]

got picks of what was modified to fit the steering column?

[Mr. Badlose]

I think people have had success with using flex-pipe for downpipes to prevent cracking manifolds also.

Good lookin' manifold!

[HaLo]

I'll take pictures tomorrow to show what was modified.

I plan on adding an extra bracket from the downpipe to the engine to reduce chances of breaking. anyways, it will break we all know that.

As for response, it's crazy how it helps. Though I am pretty sure that the elbow is the reason for it. The stock elbow is such a bottleneck!

[tastyratz]

big heavy exhausts and solid non-flex downpipes kill aftermarket manifolds as badlose was pointing out. im gonna end up getting the ssautochrome mani for the rb25 when i get it so it should all be good :-) originally when i was considering sr i had an ss mani i picked up for it and it was sweet. good luck lets see how it goes! one thing id worry about cracking it more than anythign is that steering shaft however... make SURE you dont hit in the slightest now that its changed because that might kill ya.

[nightwalker]

4 cylinders fire 1-3-4-2. Cylinder 4 and 1 are companion cylinders, and 3 and 2 are companion cylinders.

My friend also has the same setup. Combined with his lightweight flywheel and little gt25, his SR was really responsive. I liked.

[HaLo]

Here are the pics requested

iNSTALLED MANIFOLD:




MODIFICATION TO ELBOW:

[crioten]

i just dont like that you have to modify it to make it work...but im weird

let us know how long it lasts...

[Muzzy]

damn dude!! that thing jus looks smashed!!! looks super restrictive now. hhmmmm..i guess it seems to work. i would have considered the trust elbow but if this works well enough cool.

[kuruptR]

its only the dump, shouldnt be that restrictive considering that the hole unit is bigger and has an added pipe for dump.

open dump would have been cool ;D

[Steeles]

yeah I want a screamer pipe. maybe when I change turbos again. the HKS style dosent completely seal off the exhaust flow from the wastegate so cutting it open for open dump isnt an option but a damn good idea

[ass15]

halo : I SKIPPED the bracket, cuz when you are driving your car, the manifold needs to expand, but if the bracket is there, then it won't allow the manifold to expand, therefore making it more prone to craking or damage...

that was my thing for not installing the bracket.

[tastyratz]

any problems keepin boost steady crammin your waste dump that much?

[Powashiftin]

is that a homemade STB?

[HaLo]

No problems at all keeping my boost steady.... it's right on target.

It's a Tomei strut bar...

[Bbandit]

LOL that elbow got owned

Looks nice Oktay! I hope you can beat PJ now lololol!
Im digging your strut tower bar(s)! what kind is it?

[HaLo]

I need to adapt to the car, once again!!

It boosts harder and sooner, not to mention that it spools up quicker too... The car is very nervous now.... I need to adapt.