I just got my Spark racing manifold back from the machine shop. I had them brace the hell out of this manifold. They braced every runner and the wastegate too. They also ported out the wastegate hole to the size of the gasket to prevent boost creep. My question to you is, Should I have expansion slots cut into the flange or drill out the bolt holes a touch bit larger? Here are the pics of what I had done. Let me know what you think. Thers no point in selling this manifold at this point because being that I am Canadain I can't afford to drop more coin and buy something different. The manifold is heavy as **** right now with all this extra metal on it. You won't be able to see the braces once its on the car.







Modified by MIKES at 1:39 PM 8/7/2003

 

drilling the holes slightly larger and using washers should work just fine to take up for expansion. at least it has for me in the past, and of course many others.

 

Something else to try is mounting the downpipe solid so it can't move around.. That will help take some of the weight off the turbo..

 

TTT

 

DAMN, you braced the **** ouit of that manifold. Keep us posted of if it cracks. BTW, i would try to cut expansions slots if i was u.

 

SIXTYdashONE- That was my question, where would you cut the expansion slots? In the bolt holes or inbetween the bolt holes from each cylinder?

 

holy overboard batman

 

... looks sweet... how much did it cost to get braced?... keep us updated...

 

that actually looks cool as ****....

haha, i'd like braces on top too

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MIKES &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">






Modified by MIKES at 1:39 PM 8/7/2003</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hey that looks like what I used to make with Popsickle sticks and throw them against the wall and they all busted apart! Now that's what I call bracing!!!!! Ask Geoff about this, he had made some comments about bracing it causing it to crack more, I could be wrong though. I think the main concern was at the wastegate to the mani though. Good luck.

 

i hate to say it but i bet it will crack still. maybe not in the places where its braced but at the welds or some other part. good luck!!!

 

hmm looks cool but... how about your oil dip stick?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by lamchop0000 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">hmm looks cool but... how about your oil dip stick?</TD></TR></TABLE>

thats the least of his problems

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MotorMatrix.com &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i hate to say it but i bet it will crack still. maybe not in the places where its braced but at the welds or some other part. good luck!!!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yah, i will back him on this one also. Reason being is because the metal they use to make those manifolds are basically recycled soda cans. Other top quality equal lenght manifolds use a stronger guage metal.

And to answer your question from before, id say cut expansion slots for each runner, and not for the bolt holes. good luck man..

 

maxrev ones have expansion slots cut in the middle of the bolt holes, if thats any help.

 

Might aswell.
See if you can have it dipped/coated in titanium too

 

If you can fabricate a brace to support the turbo and downpipe you should be good.

 

Have the same manifold! Been boosting 20psi with SC60 on built gsr for 6 months. No cracks, no problems, no bracing!

 

dmecarboy- whats your setup if you don't mind me asking? Looks like your making good power. Got any pics?

As for my manifold, I am just going to try it out and see what happens. I have some custom brackets being made by my nieghbour for my downpipe. Its going to stop the movement of my exhaust so my turbo doesn't move around a great deal. Its going to have bushings placed in the bracket to absorb some of the shock of just day to day driving. My car is going to the bodyshop for touch ups and they are going to cut out my front bumper for my intercooler. So when I get her back its on. Maybe she will stay together, maybe not. Time will soon tell. Any comments on the expansion slots? Is it worth it yes or no?

 

I have some pics, but I'm not to sure how to post them yet. Still a rookie here on H-T. When I figure it out, they will be up no doubt!!!

 

Well manifold has cracked since the last post, #4 right by the flange. Hope yours don't

 

 

 

edit- just testing my skills to see if i could get the pic to come up.

aftermath. i did get it up! but deleted due to having it up already one post above mine.

 

thanks pureteg420, obviously I still dont know what I'm doing!!!