Is it worth changing exhaust manifold/turbo elbow?

[Datsun-Des]

I am considering buying one of brens manifolds (and the 14a elbows when they are available) on the GB but wondered if it is worth it yet with my spec? (click pic in sig)

From what I can gather the turbo elbow increases spool up and would be worth changing (the rest of my exhaust is done) but I have heard contrasting views on the manifold.

A lot of people with similar spec seem to have performance manifolds - maybe this is just for show on cars of my spec - but some people say that mildly tuned cars like mine run better with standard manifolds?

When is the right time to change the manifold?

EDIT - Off topic but should I have a catch tank now boost is at 13psi?

[Slev]

im in the same boat mate so opinions please guys? plus when are these elbows available???s14a

[Dai D]

I was running similar spec when I fitted a SS manifold, I noticed a slight decrease in offboost torque but the turbo spooled up a bit quicker.
I'm tempted to revert back the original but cant be @rsed with all the dicking around that would entail.

[Slev]

would i benfit with a manifold at stage 3?????

[Datsun-Des]

im in the same boat mate so opinions please guys? plus when are these elbows available???s14a

From what I gather Bren has prototypes at the moment but is planning to run a GB when he is happy with the quality.

I noticed a slight decrease in offboost torque but the turbo spooled up a bit quicker.

Thats what I was worried about - half my daily journey is spent on fast B roads, but the other half through town/traffic etc.. and I don't want to compromise bottom end driveabilty for 5bhp at the top end.

Cheers for the feedback.

[Huwbert]

I believe a tubular manifold is needed when you go above 300bhp, but of course, they do look nice in the bay too
Also good for top end power.

[Slev]

so is it better for a stage 3 car cos if so i may wait till that stage?

[Huwbert]

so is it better for a stage 3 car cos if so i may wait till that stage?

Yes, i would think so.

[Vez]

Pointless on the standard Turbo.

[Datsun-Des]

Pointless on the standard Turbo.

Fair enough, I won't bother then, just the elbow I reckon.

Should I have a catch tank by now? I'm running 13psi boost with the mods in my sig.

[Drifter]

I haven't got a catch tank, but I have removed the pipe that goes from the rocker to the inlet pipe. I have pluged the hole in the inlet pipe and fitted a small Pipercross filter on the rocker cover. Some people say that it will smell and you get oil in the engine bay, but so far I have had no problems

[xR33]

As said above, it's probably not worth doing the manifold, but..... if you're going to do them both together, you may not notice the full loss of torque but instead just notice the top end

[Mick_Camberley]

Fair enough, I won't bother then, just the elbow I reckon.

Should I have a catch tank by now? I'm running 13psi boost with the mods in my sig.

I fitted a tubular manifold and elbow when i was running 300hp approx. I noticed loss of torgue at bottom end but put up with it as i like the bling effect of the manifold.

I wasn't impressed by the elbow and took it back off shortly after, refitting the std elbow. My opinion was that the std elbow was less restrictive than the tubular one (and you can't really see the elbow in situ anyway (so no bling).

The std elbow also has the all important support bracket to the gearbox housing which puts less strain on the manifold.

sorry dont know what mods you've got but rather than catch tank and elbow i would ensure i had: decent plugs, fuel pump, exhaust, filter etc. followed by FMIC, fuel management, injectors etc.

Cheers

Mick (only my opinion so dont shoot me)

[Mick_Camberley]

PPS i still have the tubular elbow in my garage somewhere, (Apex one) Only on the car for a month........you can have it for £35.....

sorry for the hijack

mick

[Datsun-Des]

sorry dont know what mods you've got but rather than catch tank and elbow i would ensure i had: decent plugs, fuel pump, exhaust, filter etc. followed by FMIC, fuel management, injectors etc.

I've got all that except injectors, I was planning to run standard injectors for the moment and just run 13psi boost, I will probably do injectors later on and increase boost at the same time.

Is the elbow s14 or s14a?

[Jord]

Not sure what 'stage' Im at but would I see benefit with these mods -

Apexi AX35B70 turbo
Dano turbo elbow
HKS downpipe
Dano Decat
Blitz NUR spec
Apex FMIC
1.0 bar boost
Apexi power intake
Walbro fuel pumpamajig

Manifold is about the only thing left to do before I go to Z32/injectors and mapping so would it be worth me doing it now?

[andy14a]

has anyone fitted one of brens elbows to a stage 1 or 2 car that had a full ehxaust already on but a standard mainifold. Can you persuade me to fit mine after having it sitting in my room for over 6 months

[Mick_Camberley]

Is the elbow s14 or s14a?

14a

[def]

Less midrange but More top end regardless of Turbo or modz
Deeper throty sound.

ive been in
250bhp
264bhp
300bhp s14a,s all with noticable effect

Pickle on here has the 264bhp one so PM him for a second oppinion

And for £89 its worth holding onto and looks bling

[Jord]

See I need mid-range torque more than anything in drifting so I think Ill hold back for a while on it.