Port and Polished Stock Mani vs High Flow Mani

[BONFIRE074]

For a budget minded alternative to a high flow manifold (APT or 034 etc) how would a port and polished stock exhaust manifold compare to a name brand high flow manifold if I plan on going with an elimi kit? thanks

[onemoremile]

Not really. The stock manifold can't be opened up as much as the other castings. 034 has really done a nice job with that manifold.

[dualaudi]

It's true, the after market exhaust mani is larger than what you can port out from a stocki.. although going from stock to a P&P manifold, it seemed noticeable enough to go through that trouble of doing it... (it's FREE!)

Still, if you want much larger ports go with the aftermarket ones (just bolting them in i've heard is a bitch... )

[ModifiedA4]

as far as improving a stock-ish manifold, simply gasket matching yields the biggest bang for the buck. you'll be horrified when you see the step that the manifold presents to the head.

i think its questionable whether opening the ports on a short runner log manifold does anything. certainly too large a port size is bad because you want to maintain a high gas velocity. probably some porting is good for high rpm flow.

that being said, i gasket matched and extrude honed the stock exhaust manifold. extrude honing doesnt really port too much and smoothes the surface out.

if i were to do it all again, i'd probably save the money and just gasket match and do some smoothing myself with a dremel. the addtional cost of a ported manifold/extrude honing could go towards an intercooler upgrade, again, better bang for the buck.

[black00A4]

You planning on doing this to your 2.8??

[BONFIRE074]

You planning on doing this to your 2.8??

i plan on picking up a 1.8t tomorrow

[gotaudi]

i plan on picking up a 1.8t tomorrow

Good choice

[BONFIRE074]

Good choice

99.5 too i might add

[gotaudi]

99.5 too i might add

What do you want to do with the car?

[BONFIRE074]

What do you want to do with the car?

i want to get the most power out of the car without having to do internals. I really have no experience with internal work but if need be i have a few audi/vw techs that know how to do rods and could def. help me out. idealy i would like 270-300awhp and i cant decide which route to choose for a setup - any opinions on that?

[gotaudi]

If I would do it all over again I would go with a full turbo setup. I wouldn't get into the eliminator setups imo... If I were you I would go with a ATP T3 manifold, mate it up to a GT3071r internally wastegated. Then run that off low boost (around 15-17psi) you would spool around 3700-4000rpms and make great power, have low iat, etc... Then when you are yearning for more power (which you will) you will upgrade your internals maybe your head too (all this will be done at a later date so you can save money for all this) then you would have the ultimate daily driver 1.8T

If you are thinking I am crazy just look at all the people who have had the eliminator setups or a smaller turbo and have upgraded to a larger turbo. Doing this route will save you quite a bit of money.

[seanriv]

gotaudi, I am also in cali. The only reason I am going elim is because of our visual smog test. What is your plan?

[gotaudi]

you can find shops that will look past the visual inspection. My plan after the eliminator is to go with the ATP T3 manifold and either a GT3076r or a GT35r. It depends if I will bump up the displacement/head work.

[20vpower]

gotaudi, I am also in cali. The only reason I am going elim is because of our visual smog test. What is your plan?

This is always a dilemma. Yes im sure you can find a shop to pass with BAT setup, but what about when you get pulled over (knock on wood), and forced to go to the state ref. My friend who has a built ls vtec with a t3 was pulled over by a CHP. CHP saw all the gauges he had in the car and asked to pop the hood. Sadly all the cop saw that was different on his paper guide of what to look for on modified cars, was a afpr, a cone intake and modified exhaust. HE DIDNT EVEN GET CITED FOR A TURBO! However he was referred to the state ref which where he will see that snail. I know i know, we dont drive hondas, and our cars come stock with turbos. IMO i just wouldnt want to uninstall a nice setup just to go and pass a state ref and go back and install it again right after. I probally just have biased opinion becuase the small setup i have now will pass inspection. I guess i just have to drive in a BAT car to really see whats up. Too bad we dont live on the east coast where there is a gt30+ fest going on haha.

[20vpower]

oh and sorry for the thread jack, to OP but i have an 034 mani and it makes a nice improvement