to eBay or not to eBay
 

So, here I go again on another "budget" project on the GVR4, may god have mercy on my soul

I have a Holset HX-35w that I got for cheap, and now I need a T3 manifold.

I priced out the parts to build one myself, and its going to be around $100

enter eBay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/TURBO...spagenameZWDVW

I know its probably the worst quality manifold in the world......but it does come with a 1 year warranty against cracks.

>>AND IF IT DOES CRACK<< can I just weld it? for $100-150 this thing is almost worth it for the flanges alone.

do any of you have experience with these? I remember looking at em a couple years ago, and the design now seems to be a little better.

Thanks

Re: to eBay or not to eBay
 

Don't do it! Do some searches and you will see these things falling apart non-stop.

Re: to eBay or not to eBay
 

Of all the ebay parts I do hear about these having a lot of problems. Thing is, at that price you can almost afford to have it break.

Would it be possible and worthwhile to brace it?

Re: to eBay or not to eBay
 

The manifold is 400 series stainless, which is not that good, the welding is some of the worst I have seen, but that is how they are so cheap. I would spend a little more money and buy a turbonetics cast t3 manifold or FP has a cast manifold that would be easy to weld a t3 flange and waistgate flange on to it, cast SS welds easy with a TIG.

~John

Re: to eBay or not to eBay
 

Guaranteed to fall the hell apart after that year warranty is up. But it's your choice if you want to keep an eye on it, and feel like taking it off every so often to maintain it

Re: to eBay or not to eBay
 

Do it. You know you want to.

Re: to eBay or not to eBay
 

I was looking at one of those cheapies, but went with the FP cast mani instead.

Re: to eBay or not to eBay
 

I bought one that was really cheap in cost just to see if they really do fall apart and I have like 5000 miles on it and nothing yet. No cracks or anything. I heat wrapped it and it seems to work great. Might fall apart but has not yet so I was suprised by it. For the price just go for it and see what happens.

Re: to eBay or not to eBay
 

Can you see the welds with the heat wrap on? Hairline cracks are hard to see without removal of the manifold and a closer inspection.

Re: to eBay or not to eBay
 

Yes I can see them and there is nothing. It has been a really good header/manifold for me nad it has gotten REALLY hot. They do a really good job in the inside as well for cleaning up the welds and the spots where the pipes all meet together.

Re: to eBay or not to eBay
 

Just because the welds are "clean" does not mean that flow characteristics are good.

Re: to eBay or not to eBay
 

Build your own! It's really not that tough, just do a little research. I'll be building my own this summer.

Re: to eBay or not to eBay
 

I agree. Buy a small mig welder and do it yourself. You'll have an investment that will be great to have (the welder). If you already do have one, put it to use! All you need is the flanges, some weld els, and the welder. With some insight, you can put your turbo anywhere you please - topmount!!

Re: to eBay or not to eBay
 

I'm building a basic ramhorn manifold for mine.

Re: to eBay or not to eBay
 

Yeah, i would go with building your own, or saving up a little bit more for something that is known to be good, like a used one from someone parting out a project car.

Yeah, you could get lucky and have that work for 2 years if you brace it, but why do that if you could spend a little more and get something that is going to be good for longer, and most likely, make more power and whatnot.

Re: to eBay or not to eBay
 

I did not say that it had a good flow to it I was just pointng out that they dont leave shit there because they clean it all up.

Re: to eBay or not to eBay
 

I bet they did not back purge or use flux on the welds in the runners that can not be ground out with a die grinder. But the manifold should work just keep an eye on the welds around the flanges and the collector.

~John

Re: to eBay or not to eBay
 

I honestly bought one for $99 on ebay, When I got it I almost cried. It was the worst manifold I have ever seen, the pipes were really small, flages were warped to hell, and the wasgate flange(tail 38mm) was way off. I returned it the day I got it and he didn't even ask questions like he knew it was coming back! But if you feel lucky?

Re: to eBay or not to eBay
 

umm not all ebay stuff is bad ppl, just stuff from bunk companies, dont get that one though thats garbage. Building your own, unless you know how to weld and metal work good as hell it, might look more ghetto than the ebay one though, and take twice as long. If I where you id either buy from a professional shop, and shop around for a good price or find a legit ebay seller.

Ebay moddo.
"If it looks too good to be true, it is."

Re: to eBay or not to eBay
 

Thats true, I buy alot of stuff off ebay, just have to look for the good stuff and not get the crap.