POLL! Magnuson SC- Would you do it again???

[scottryana]

If you wanted to go through the effort of having it all laser cut again you could, but there are T4 divided flanges available as well as exhaust flanges. There only looks to be 8 stainless els and 2 pieces of straight pipe that would need to be welded up.

 

[FastCarGuy]

The only fitment issue I had was one hole was off by about 1/4". I don't know if it got bent somehow in handling prior to me getting it or what. Anyway, I tried to force it into position and finally gave up and welded in the hole and then re-drilled it.
BTW, I see in you sig you show a 70 Chevelle SS-454 Convert.. Do you still have it? I did a frame off on a 70 Chevelle SS454-LS5 Factory 4-Sp. w/AC. Awesome car, only mine was a Hardtop.

 

[dogfishlake]

The only fitment issue I had was one hole was off by about 1/4". I don't know if it got bent somehow in handling prior to me getting it or what. Anyway, I tried to force it into position and finally gave up and welded in the hole and then re-drilled it.
BTW, I see in you sig you show a 70 Chevelle SS-454 Convert.. Do you still have it? I did a frame off on a 70 Chevelle SS454-LS5 Factory 4-Sp. w/AC. Awesome car, only mine was a Hardtop.

I do still have the Chevelle, it's an original SS454 LS5 Convertible, auto w/air. Pretty decent car, totally lucky find 25 years ago.

 

[Heckraiser]

I kept my sawed-off y-pipe to use as the base for a jig to make a J-pipe if my welding skills ever get to the point where I would trust a tubular manifold that I made myself. Does the EMS J pipe brace off of the block or engine mount, or is it all just supported by the pipes?

 

[FastCarGuy]

I kept my sawed-off y-pipe to use as the base for a jig to make a J-pipe if my welding skills ever get to the point where I would trust a tubular manifold that I made myself. Does the EMS J pipe brace off of the block or engine mount, or is it all just supported by the pipes?

Just the pipes. I was told they used schedule 40.

 

[FastCarGuy]

I do still have the Chevelle, it's an original SS454 LS5 Convertible, auto w/air. Pretty decent car, totally lucky find 25 years ago.View attachment 1318542

Very nice and still worth big bucks

 

[Rivman1243]

Just the pipes. I was told they used schedule 40.

I would think it should be supported to the block. At least somewhere on the engine. Doesn't seem like the flanges and gaskets would like a turbo that far away from the head.

 

[half k cruiser]

I would think it should be supported to the block. At least somewhere on the engine. Doesn't seem like the flanges and gaskets would like a turbo that far away from the head.

I doubt those cast stock manifolds have much if any flex to them. I know for a fact your entire y-pipe back will hang from them for a year or more with no ill affect on it.

I doubt the weight of a turbo is going to matter much.

 

[dogfishlake]

I would think it should be supported to the block. At least somewhere on the engine. Doesn't seem like the flanges and gaskets would like a turbo that far away from the head.

I would think it would be easy enough to take a strap of sorts from the exhaust stud out to the turbo flange so it is a least not trying to lean away from the engine, hence cracking the cast iron.
My issue with making a J pipe manifold from scratch is that I will have to do it when the switch from supercharger to turbo happens (which I believe it will), as I have to make a design that fits for sure vs finding an existing one that is already proven to fit. For me, it makes the most sense to go standalone ecu next, then turbo, so more money = more time to save up= more time to bring a J pipe manifold up to market.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

This thread got me thinking again I want more power. With a SC not being an option I will be looking to try this set up. Thoughts?

 

[scottryana]

Not a bad setup, but the main components are not even as high quality as Heckraiser's $2300 setup. The turbo technology is older, and I believe that the rear housing is custom and people had some issues with them cracking and without replacements they were at the mercy of welding the cast iron. I would prefer to see all new name brand components, Borg Warner, Garrett, Tial, etc. Things you can easily get pieces and parts for. The sticking point is the treadstone manifold needing a little bit of work but really it was not all that much (sorry @Heckraiser lol) But you buy good quality pieces, and you only have a few pieces you need to have made which could be done at an exhaust shop. Just my $0.02

This thread got me thinking again I want more power. With a SC not being an option I will be looking to try this set up. Thoughts?

View attachment 1318762

 

[FastCarGuy]

I would think it should be supported to the block. At least somewhere on the engine. Doesn't seem like the flanges and gaskets would like a turbo that far away from the head.

I think @scottryana has had his setup for a couple years and a bunch of miles. Haven't seen him saying anything broke or cracked.

 

[Heckraiser]

Yeah, the treadstone manifold is laughably poorly thought out, but as long as you take it on knowing what to expect (a handful of minor modifications), no problems whatsoever. I was just expecting everything to bolt together, and that was my main problem

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Now Im confused
I got the thumbs up from these guys Home there work and results is at the tops in the Phoenix area.

 

[scottryana]

I am confused too? The Safari system hasn't been available for quite a while. Do they say they are selling it?

Now Im confused
I got the thumbs up from these guys Home there work and results is at the tops in the Phoenix area.

 

[FastCarGuy]

I asked the owner of this: For Sale: - White 1997 Triple locked AZ Cruiser 162K Original Miles. who he took his to for work and he named Home . IIRC they replaced his turbo with a more modern one and then did some custom mapping.

 

[dogfishlake]

This situation of available quality parts EXCEPT for the manifold is why I was asking about the EMS J pipe.

I hate to bring this up but I honestly think there is a chance the CX turbo manifold may be a decent choice. I have the CX header and despite a few shortcomings, it's pretty darn good. That said, for me it's gonna be a J pipe when my turbo time comes

 

[scottryana]

I still don't think the cast treadstone manifold is a bad way to go, you just have to do a touch of grinding. Easier than a front axle service

 

[Heckraiser]

I don't like the shape/turbo position of my treadstone manifold (not to mention the casting quality). But some of those problems could be improved by a smaller turbo (especially the compressor) for those who plan to go stand-alone. If either manifold had a good return policy, I would try both and see which fits better, and return the other. The turbo location with the treadstone meant I had to add additional length/turns to the intake tract to avoid contact with the turbine. Of course, I had to grind and clearance the manifold in several places, re-tap threaded holes and couldn't use stock exhaust nuts (all of which are minor problems as long as you plan on it).

I have no clue if the CX is any better, but if I were using it, I would start off by adding block bracing from the start, just because that company has a reputation for cracked tubular manifolds from back in the day. There is a potential the CX manifold might solve some of the packaging problems the treadstone manifold presents, but without actually trying it out, I have no clue

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Not a bad setup, but the main components are not even as high quality as Heckraiser's $2300 setup. The turbo technology is older, and I believe that the rear housing is custom and people had some issues with them cracking and without replacements they were at the mercy of welding the cast iron. I would prefer to see all new name brand components, Borg Warner, Garrett, Tial, etc. Things you can easily get pieces and parts for. The sticking point is the treadstone manifold needing a little bit of work but really it was not all that much (sorry @Heckraiser lol) But you buy good quality pieces, and you only have a few pieces you need to have made which could be done at an exhaust shop. Just my $0.02

The Turbo is a Garrett and a new one at that. I cant see how it could be that bad if it was installed in 1997 and its first major service was last year and the turbo was replaced. A turbo lasting 20 years seems like a solid set up even by todays standards? There was a repair done to the waste gate attachment?? would that be the cast iron issue you reference. Welding cast iron is pretty easy having done it successfully many times back in my Chevy big block exhaust manifold days.

For me there is nothing better than time to gauge a product reliability one of the main reasons I choose the Safari over others available on the market. Safari also address the computer something I did not see with other systems. Having a SC in the past, lean was a condition that caused problems being in the desert. Looking at the documentation on this Safari system seem to have been pretty much trouble free for its first 19 years. So whats not to like with those kinds of bragging rights?

Full disclosure - I know nothing about Turbo's and Safari will be my first experience. I will say the power delivery is folds nicer and smoother than a SC. Based on the gauge it runs 5lbs of boost at peak and comes on around 2k RPM.