Caveots: I don't work for MAP; this is an unbiased review by a car guy that wants nothing more than to make his car faster.
I let MAP borrow my car for a few days for their lil-welder that could (Chris is amazing) to fab up a prototype for their tubular exhaust manifold for the Evo X. I'll be beating the piss out of the car and just generally making sure the thing works so that the product is as good as it can be. There may be some minor revisions but the manifold you see here will be available either cleaned up or ceramic coated.
The thing is really a work of art, I will get more pics of it. The flanges used are amazing CNC pieces and the welding is out of this world. There's not much to say about the product itself other than its built right here in the USA and the quality is nothing short of world-class.
We kept the testing *extremely* simple on this. My X was tuned only a few weeks ago and the tune was untouched throughout the entire process. The car put down 4-5 good baseline pulls before we yanked the stock manifold to get the prototype on. After it was locked and loaded, guess what? We made more dyno pulls! I made them do several to be sure but the results consistent and correct.
Holy crap that can't be right! We poured over the numbers and other dyno plots. The truth was right there in front of us. The car lost about 400rpm in spool. I was a bit disappointed by this to be honest but I feel like it could be helped with some tuning. This manifold utilizes 1.25" runners to avoid being too laggy.
Power. From 6500-8000 the car gained 35+whp. From 7000-8000rpm the car is up a solid 40whp! I was absolutely in shock, this couldn't be possible! But it was...it SO was!
Now, the awesome part. Projects like this can take some time, but I told the guys at MAP that I was going to the drag strip this Saturday come hell or high water. Things ran late as they always do, but they made good on their promise. Friday night at 7pm the car was on the rollers for this test and then I went home to get ready for the trip to the track the next day.
Driveability. The car honestly doesn't feel any laggier, maybe a bit in 2nd gear but cruising around the car feels the same, until you are WOT and in the upper rpm. The car feels SO much better now, its still just as smooth and fun but damn it just rips up top! The car is starting to make enough power now that you start to get that floating feeling when staying in the powerband.
Reliability. I have honestly been the eternal skeptic on tubular manifolds. They all crack, it's easy to just say that. I'll update this thread down the road and let you know how it hangs in there. My hopes are *very* high that it will last for years to come!
*edit* current power mods:
aFe intake w/ perrin inlet
custom 2.5" UICP
custom 3" pte core fmic (not much bigger than stock)
MAP tubular header
CBRD BBX Turbo
MAP O2 Elim Downpipe
Megan Testpipe
Magnaflow Catback
hallman mbc
dw 800cc injectors (BP 93oct)
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by Murlo26
I need to listen to Scheides more often i think :)
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Originally Posted by turbotalon1g
...I realized that I can't keep up my shit talking without anything to back it up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JV
S2000: For those of us that know the Miata is the best car on the planet, but also want extra power and to not have to turn in our man cards.
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