the EBAY manifold design/picture thread (sorting the crap from the not so crap)

[Draven]

you knew you were buying quality as soon as you saw the item description, didn't you?

[Norbie]

LOL, I was expecting junk but for $200 you can't complain too much.

[boxh34d]

I think it is well and truly time to dig this thread up and update it.
A hell of a lot of people on here have gone down the ebay manifold route, with some claiming success and others not so much. I for one are looking around at a turbo upgrade in the near future, and whilst my gut keeps on telling me to go with a locally produced quality item, it is always hard to ignore the low cost of the ebay special. The only question is: is there actually good value to be had, or just a cheap price? I'm sure I'm not the only one who would like some first hand insight.

Could we make it a bit of a list with any of the following details? Type of engine, chassis, flange, cost, time in use, purchasing condition, mods required, current condition etc?

[Draven]

2jz-gte in a JZA80. T3 flange (gt35r) (purchased with a t4, which was cut off and had a T3 welded on). Cost either $250 or $150, can't remember which.

Has been close to 4 years now since I put it on - mods required were to cut the original flange (as stated), and also mod to fit the wastegate (very minor). Has been used on plenty of track days, made 350rwkw.

My only complaint would be that it seems to lose a few hundred rpm on spool-up compared to better items (ie: sixboost, or other local hand made).

I originally bought it as a disposable item - at the ~$150 I think I originally paid, I didn't care if it only lasted 6-12 months. Now 4 years later, I'm stoked. When it breaks I'll be getting Linden to build be one from scratch, or a sixboost one, but for what it is it's perfect.

Current condition.... not broken? it's got some colouring to it from the heat, but otherwise looks like when I put it in

[pandaah]

plus 1 for the brand norbie posted.. great manifold, needed only minor mods to work and fit, the design that joins as 3 runners and 3 runners works very well opposed to clashing as 6 random pipes

[mullett]

So we need to work out who sells those manifolds now

-RM

[VEE8SS]

GRANT from PROBOOST RACING on ebay and ProBoost - Performance Products sell's a decent 2JZ manifold that i have put in a silvia and also in a soarer both with 2JZ's In the silvia the wastegate pipe requires modification. But other than that they have a warranty and are of thicker material than most. They usually go for 280-330 delivered. they are not always listed in his store but if you contact him via email he will help you out.

[88cameron88]

proboost is good.
as is "monsta retail" manifolds on ebay... i have brought 2 of his manifolds this year and both have been EXCELLENT

[boxh34d]

I can't believe that even with toymods' reputation for being full of tight arses, we have this few people on here that have gone down this path
Without going through everyone's build threads, surely there's more people here that have had some experience with Ebay china spec manifolds?

[Cuts]

A mate of mine has (Starky on here) has a china ebay manifold on his ST185 Type A.

A t3 flange was welded directly to the ct26 flange, he is using a KKR 430, with an external gate. The manifold was heat wrapped, and working fine (makes about 200kw atw) but after about 6 months of use the manifold cracked at the welds. Cause from sagging as the turbo was unsupported underneath. It hasnt been fixed and back on the road since he broke a driveshaft at the drags.

By all accounts the merge was ok, and the ports lined up with the head ok, and considering the turbo was unsupported the cracking isnt surprising.

[jfallen]

Got a Fleabay high-mount manifold on my Turbo CA8DET. It's a T3/4 manifold, designed for an external gate. Due to packaging concerns I run an internally gated T2 fanged turbocharger, but fortunately the manifold came with a blank off plate for the wastegate port. Only mod was to have a T2 flange welded onto the top of the manifold. I run avgas and 18PSi on the track and so far no issues to report. I bought the manifold off a mate who was running it with a RB25 T3 turbocharger for 6 months, so I've got no idea where it came from but it's been reliable and was ~$150 secondhand.

JA

[GZE016]

Anyone using a Driven Performance manifold?