Hey guys, been working on the 2gnt a lot lately so decided to share some pics, use to have an OBX ramhorn manifold but had to dent it some to clear the hood and it looked like shit. Always loved the top mount manifold so decided to build one. Got a deal on most of the metal so I built it for pretty cheap. Turbo is a holset hy-35. Heres a list of what was done to the car:

Relocated battery to trunk
Removed fiberglass sub box and wiring. (For sale btw)
Relocated fuse box to behind the bumper
Moved ECU
Redid some wiring to clean up the bay
Powder coated valvecover
Built new top mount turbo manifold
Fab new downpipe
New intercooler and piping
Put the AC back in

There was a few other things that had to be done but thats the major parts of it. I tried doing another 8 injector setup but had issues with MS controlling the secondary injectors so went back to full stand alone. Its running pretty well at the moment. Only tuned up to 10psi, waiting on the intercooler pipes to get tig welded so I can add meth in and the IAC sensor. Then going to tune up to about 27psi is the goal. Hoping for about 450whp.

I designed and welded the manifold out of schedule 40 mild steel.



Manifold welded up



Manifold cleaned and ready to wrap



Downpipe refabed and wrapped



New intercooler



Still got to keep the fog lights





Almost finished

Nice work! How prone is the mild steel piping going to corrosion with the heat wrap and silicon spray? I know that heat wrap can trap moisture, but has the spray been proven to keep the mild steel in check under those temperatures?

I really have no idea, but that steel is 0.145 in thick so even if it does corrode some it will take it a long time to eat through that amount of material. I dont think a lot of moister will get to the manifold, the downpipe is stainless so not worried about it at all.

Looks great! If you were interested for ascetics only I use a tool just like this http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000715.php to clamp down my wrap. Makes a clean hold and looks neat in my opinion.

Very nice. Lots of work, but paid off for a great looking setup and probably performs just as good.

Originally posted by Dstach
Looks great! If you were interested for ascetics only I use a tool just like this http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000715.php to clamp down my wrap. Makes a clean hold and looks neat in my opinion.

A CV clamp tool works with the stainless ties you can buy from Lowes as well :)

Nice setup man! Looks clean and functional. Congrats!

Very nice setup, this is something we haven't seen around here in a long time. The amount of time, patience, and dedication shows in the final overall picture. Congratulations to you sir. :thumbsup

Thanks guys, it took a few months to get everything finished up. I did use stainless ties on the manifold where the wrap ended but not where it start. I just overlapped it some and it seems to be holding fine. I cant wait to start pusing this setup hard. Dyno vids will be posted in a few weeks and maybe some track time before the end of the season.

Very nice! I love the finished engine bay. Great job man.

I do have a question on the turbo inlet. Wouldn't it have been better to have not used a reducer and just the same sized pipe to a filter (still no reducer), or does it not matter because of more velocity now?

Originally posted by Dstach
I do have a question on the turbo inlet. Wouldn't it have been better to have not used a reducer and just the same sized pipe to a filter (still no reducer), or does it not matter because of more velocity now?

Same size is better, but I'll bet its a situation of use what you got.

Sweet set-up, congrats. I imagine it took a little effort.

Looks great!

I didn't want to use the reducer for the turbo inlet but I already had all of the parts and needed to put some kind of filter on it. I plan on getting some 4" pipe and a new filter before too long.

It came out looking pretty good. I'll have to put my own fab skills to the test after my deployment. Keep up the good work!

Just checking in to see the progress and had a few questions incase you're still checking this thread:

did you clamp your Vbands when welding? or are they sealing correctly? I've had such bad luck with mine warping, both mild and stainless, MIG and TIG welding... I may just have to work on my touch, but let me know.

Also, it looks super cool. I bet local skeptics quite down when you pop that hood!

I need to put up the latest pics, the pipes got tiged the other day and looks much cleaner. The vbands did warp when welding, probably should have clamps them or something. I tried to belt sand them down a little but didnt have much success. I just put a gasket between them and they seal up fine.

When you welded the tube to the flange, how did you go about doing it?

Did you perform small stitch welds (.5 to .75 inch/per) at opposite sides (similar to tightening lug nuts)? Or did you weld in a complete circle around the flange?

I dont really remember. I think i tacked it in a few good spots then welded around it.

Great job.