Wdpfreak145

Tonight, my mustang friend and myself were talking about my turbo build. If all goes according to plan, I'm shooting to have my turbo build done at the same time as my timing belt replacement. At that point, I'm looking to do a fairly mild build, and make between 250whp and 350 whp. My argument was that while I didn't want to run a log/cast manifold, I didn't have the 800 to spend on a ramhorn-type tubular setup. The end goal for my car is to be a devastating luxury ride. It's a 95 4dr ex with a d16z6 mated to a manual transmission. That means I want to keep my power steering, my a/c, and my cruise control (when I get it to work). While I have a long way to go with my car, I want to start planning my end goal out.

Having said all of that, we brought up the idea of making my own tubular manifold by hand. I have a friend who can weld as well as my girlfriend's stepdad, so finding someone to do the work would not be hard. The conditions I want my manifold to meet is that it be a ramhorn style, and a/c compatible, as well as fit a decent sized turbo. I'm thinking that I want to run a t3/t4 type turbo, around 55-60 trim maybe 62 max. So I think that I can draw up the design of the manifold itself, but my question is what kind of welding is done (MIG/TIG, plasma)? Is it done both inside and outside the tubing? What kind of tubing, grade and metal type, is used? What thickness(es) are used from professional designs? Where can it be sourced?

JEGS catalog and website both have header/exhaust tubing, but the smallest O.D. is 2.5'' in stainless steel. Thanks for all the help and answers guys!!

twkdCD595

You should check out the welding and fab forum here to do some looking around and reading. Lots of information in there.

Anyways generally speaking, people making a nice quality manifold use 1.5" 304 stainless steel schedule 40 weld els. Check the welding and fab forum for list of places to buy them.

Wdpfreak145

Mods, carry me onward to the forum of welding and fabricatory design!!! Please?