GTT Manifold and Turbo replacement options

[magnazan]

I know there are lots of posts about replacements for individual parts but wanted a kind of definitive option list.

In short manifold is warped and also getting a whistle when cold and up to 1800rpm ish. It sounds like the turbo is spooling up and whistling. Doesn't do it when boosting though so i'm not sure whether it's turbo or manifold...

The car really doesn't get driven that much i've done sub 10k in 6months but when it is driven does get driven 'enthusiastically'. Ideally looking for reliability over all out performance, a nice balance would be good.

My GTT is a 98 so an ST215(?) and is touching 150k. It's had the usual stuff done, lowered, aftermarket shocks, 3 inch exhaust system but other than that stock.

Other than Mr Revhead and getting a stock manifold and turbo what other options for around the 2k mark are available? I've had a look around the driven performance site and a few others at stainless steel manifold and other turbos (TD05) but really am a complete n00b on what's worth getting and what's not. I really don't plan on modifying it to much from stock but little tweaks here and there are always nice

I'd really like to get the manifold fixed but from what i've read its worth getting the turbo replaced at the same time. Also i've read that it's a PITA to change the manifold so given that i'd want the turbo doing as well does anyone know how long it would take a mechanic to do?

Leads me on to the next question who in the auckland region would be recommended to do this kind of work. I've found it really hard to find decent places to go to and would really appreciate some recommendations on where you guys get your mods done.

[sergei]

The noise made from warped manifold sounds like tractor, not whistle.
You also will see black soot around where manifold is leaking.
If the turbo is whistling on cold (not normal high pitch whistle/hissing noise), it means that the turbo itself is worn, but it will continue to be fine until it starts touching the housing which may take a very long while.

[magnazan]

I get a what sounds like a tractor noise kinda like something is rattling/vibrating at about 1300rpm but only when it's cold. Think i'll have to get some sound recordings.

I've just read that the stock manifold and turbo are one piece (I did remember reading it prior but wasn't sure). Kinda alters my questions a bit now.

Obviously with a stock manifold and turbo replacement it's going to warp again (Probably not while i have the car though) so is it really worth going the separate route and can it be done for around my 2k budget?

[sergei]

I get a what sounds like a tractor noise kinda like something is rattling/vibrating at about 1300rpm but only when it's cold. Think i'll have to get some sound recordings.

I've just read that the stock manifold and turbo are one piece (I did remember reading it prior but wasn't sure). Kinda alters my questions a bit now.

Obviously with a stock manifold and turbo replacement it's going to warp again (Probably not while i have the car though) so is it really worth going the separate route and can it be done for around my 2k budget?

You could get different manifold and turbo, (ie fit ST205 turbo to it.)...

[magnazan]

Reading further if i go the separate turbo and manifold involves quite a bit of extra work. New BOVs, downpipe(?) and anything extra to get it to fit. Again i'm a novice and am trying to piece all the bits i've read together.

In summary

Replace stock manifold and turbo = no extra bits just labour
Benefits would be known to work fine and reliable

Replace with separate manifold and turbo = extra bits to buy and setup + extra labour

[gleem]

you could get a t3/t4, aftermarket manifold, wastegate and downpipe for less than 2k

[Warren]

you could get a t3/t4, aftermarket manifold, wastegate and downpipe for less than 2k

Really? but what sort of hairdryer would you be getting? Hopefully not a cheap and nasty chinese one.
Magnazan: if you want a decent genuine Garrett turbo give me a shout. My Mum's fiancee is a turbocharger specailist and he can get a good deal on them as they are an authorised distributor of Garrett.
It may exceed your 2K budget though.

[Warren]

by the way, you wouldn't really need to get a new bov. The stock one is mint

[magnazan]

Like I've said already i'm a complete n00b and really all i know is what i read on these forums - is that a good thing lol?!

The 2k was really just a figure i'd like to stick around - few hundy each way depending on whether it's a benefit or not is fine. What sort of price and performance increase would i get from a garret over stock?

[magnazan]

Right i've done a bit more reading and hopefully i understand a bit more about what's going on.

See if i have this correct:

So in going for seperates i need to do the following

Replace the manifold (Exhaust i assume) with a decent SS manifold ~ $600
Replace turbo ~ $1200
New downpipe (Assume it will fit onto my current exhaust) ~ $300
Labour ~ $?????

Assumptions:

I can run a separate system with the current BOV (I've read the stock one is very good and not really interested in the wank factor psssst noise)

Don't need to mess around with ECUs/fuel mixtures/Sensors etc

Labour won't cost either my arm or leg.

[cedwards]

Why not take the car into someone who can assess the turbo, shaft play etc, I would expect if you are having troubles there they would be able to diagnose this,
If all is good with the turbo, get the manifold planed flat, get the extra lug welded on, fit the missing manifold bolt and you're away, no major mods, all up should cost a little over the two hundy mark..

[magnazan]

Who would be recommended to do that kind of work?

[gleem]

Right i've done a bit more reading and hopefully i understand a bit more about what's going on.

See if i have this correct:

So in going for seperates i need to do the following

Replace the manifold (Exhaust i assume) with a decent SS manifold ~ $600
Replace turbo ~ $1200
New downpipe (Assume it will fit onto my current exhaust) ~ $300
Labour ~ $?????

this is what i did to mine

manifold - $400-$750
t04e - $500 (if you have the money maybe you could get something branded or a bit bigger)
wastegate - $400ish? (unless you buy a turbo with a internal gate)
downpipe - $200-400 depending where you go
FMIC - (you will prob need one as most manifolds ive seen get in the way of the top mount) $175 for the plate $200 odd for the piping.
exhaust - $400ish (may want to make whole thing a 3" since you'll be needing a custom downpipe)
labour will depend where you go and how much you can do yourself

and then theres little things like silicon reducers / joiners, heatwrap, hose clamps, nuts and bolts, gaskets etc

[gleem]

or if you want to save some coin do what cedwards said or buy a 2nd hand turbo and bolt that on.

[magnazan]

Might go the getting it checked out route first then. Theres actually nothing wrong with atm just some strange noises.

Just need some recommendations on who's good to go to.

[cedwards]

I've been meaning to send postfach a pm on getting the welding done to mine (hasn't warped yet tho) he may have enough know how to assess the turbo,ideally you should take it to a turbo specialist/reconditioner there is someone in barrys point rd that has been mentioned on TS before for his know how,
Have never dealt with postfach myself but gleem may be able to back up his work I think he is pretty happy with what has been done so far..

[gleem]

postfach and his freind mike are doing a cashies in the weekend for that sort of thing, they have almost completed my car and although there work isnt highly prefessional its up to a good enough standard imo and they do it for a VERY good price for the amount of time they have put in to my caldina, since your on the shore as well im sure they wouldnt mind quoting you car. Some of my mates have seen what they have done to my car and they are going to get there work done by them as well. I highly recommend them!

/end rant

[magnazan]

Sweet what's the best way to contact them?

[cedwards]

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