eBay manifold vs. 034 Log manifold

[Jcarrick]

Hey guys,
I have an urS4 and i am slowly building the AAN in it. I have a Holset WH1C (exact same as hx35) that i am going to use and now i just need to figure out what exhaust manifold to use.

My options are listed above. For the eBay manifold i was thinking i could weld a T3 flange on it, brace it in about three places, and have all the surfaces re-milled. I would be saving almost $250 doing it this way. This will also allow me to just use my stock audi wastegate.

http://www.034motorsport.com/engine-components-audi-i5-20vt-exhaust-manifold-20v-audi-i5-7a-turbo-manifold-with-wastegate-provision-p-20139.html

If i went with this manifold i know if would last for sure. But my big problem with it is that i have to buy a $250 Tial wastegate to use it...

I know it cost money to build a car, but i try to save everywhere i can and stay in my budget. If i have to go with the 034 mani i will, but i want to see what other people think about this

[Wheeljack]

Why not run a cheap cast T3 manifold with the Audi wastegate provision? Isn't that what you were wanting for the Holset?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Audi-...Q5fAccessories

These manifolds need a little cleaning up, but are hard to beat bang for buck...I think it will flow as good or better than the 034, and benefits of cast longevity...

I am basically running the same thing on my 3B, but with the KKK flange...

[Jcarrick]

Ooh, thats almost exactly what im looking for. I definitely like the longevity and daily drivability of the cast. Hows that mani working for you? Has it cracked yet? Were the flanges straight? How many miles do you have on it?

[Wheeljack]

It seemed close to your wants...depending on the turbo housing dimensions, a spacer could be required, I guess...

I really don't have many miles on mine yet...about 1000 miles over this past summer...haven't seen any cracks yet...I cleaned it up with some dremeling to remove casting flash flakes on the inside and I had to cut some of the wastegate flange to clear the audi wastegate (there are threads about this) and the hole patterns weren't the best; I enlarged my wastegate thru holes to accomodate...the head flange was pretty flat out of the box...it's in my motorgeek thread...so, I definitely did some work to it, but just a couple hours of my labor in the end...

And there are others running them and haven't seen any posts declaring it to be bad...I think on here maybe...search str manifold...and regarding negative results, usually silence is golden in these matters...

I got mine for either $120 US shipped, which is crazy cheap.

[Jcarrick]

This is very good to hear. I think i will be going this direction with it. Do you have a link to your motorgeek thread? Thats where i am at most of the time, i just didnt want to post this there cuz most people will hate on it and get pissed im not trying to support 034

[Wheeljack]

Do you have a link to your motorgeek thread?

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[GazzaG60]

at the end of the day its up to you what you buy not 034. if they dont like it it should be a private 034 lovers forum not public.

personally and speaking for the majority here i think, Wagner is the choice for quality. their products are used in many of the higher hp cars around here and at a good price i feel. customer service is also second to none.

i run the tubes, jamo and many others run the cast.

ican appreciate the potential saving in the cheap manifold stated. on a 4 pot vw id be backing your choice but s2 blocks are a little harder to come by as is the rest and quality is important.

[Jamo]

This is one of the items I paid for brand new as I did not want to be changing the manifold once fitted and Wagner's item is top notch in quality.

I'd rather run a tube mani than a normal pig iron manifold tbh but they have their place as a value replacement if your bhp target is around stock or low 300's

[Wheeljack]

Yes, agreed that the Wagner is a proper engineered piece with the service to back it. And if it was a big power, quality build, then it would either be a quality tube manifold or a quality cast, depending on application. But when it comes down to a modest, low power build, there is quite a difference between $120 and $1200 (Wagner from 034) (10X) and likely not any gains on the performance side.

But, who knows, 3 months down the road, I could have a cracked manifold, burnt out cylinders, etc...I guess it's a calculated risk I'm willing to take to gather the data. If I had more into the motor/turbo itself, I would likely rethink things. I think a properly supported tubular will be the way i go next for the URQ. There may be some additional routine maintenance which is more acceptable for that car.

[Jcarrick]

I understand that the tube manifold is definitely the most efficiant, but I like the durability of a cast manifold and I'm sure I can reach my hp goals of 500awhp on one. I guess if it doesn't work out I'm in the whole 200$, but I think it's worth a try. Plus I really haven't heard anything bad about the eBay cast manifolds...

[Jamo]

Plus I really haven't heard anything bad about the eBay cast manifolds...

Pray Carsten Wagner hasn't seen that comment

End of the day it's going to work no matter which one you use.

[Jcarrick]

Haha, what would he have to say about it?

Ya, that's kinda the way I see it. I'm gonna start off getting it done in a budget, then I can upgrade from there

[Mcstiff]

at the end of the day its up to you what you buy not 034. if they dont like it it should be a private 034 lovers forum not public.

Just as a note, motorgeek.com is hosted by 034 and was started as an 034 tech support forum. I like some of their stuff but not all of it. Some of the customer service stories I have heard are bad (and perhaps blown out of proportion) but I have not had issue.

Haha, what would he have to say about it?

That they (ebay counter-fitters) are ripping off his (Carsten's) stuff.



:edited for clarity:

[GazzaG60]

i know its hosted by them but look at it this way.

of what value is the information on there is its bias info. if its not an open forum yes you can gain knowledge from others that have btdt but you cant express interest in others products or dissatisfaction in 034?

i too like some of their stuff. i have some bits, ive spken to javad who i found a nice chap but if i have an issue with a part i wouls want fellow buyers to be aware. i have bought many parts from the states in the past and lots of times they dont quite fit as well as european counterparts. none have been 034 though.

its not a winge this but it is off topic sorry guys

[Jamo]

That they are ripping off his stuff.