top mount Manifold Vs. Bottom Mount Manifold

[RZRSHARP_SVX]

I was wondering what are the pro's and con's of each manifold?

[CivicTunr]

top mount, is :bigpimp:

[RZRSHARP_SVX]

thats one way of looking at it

[Jason Lange]

Originally posted by RZRSHARP_SVX
I was wondering what are the pro's and con's of each manifold?

Pros go up, cons go down.

[dj_rice]

One pro for topmount is you can run a bigger turbo as they'res more space than running a bottommount

[RZRSHARP_SVX]

does running a top-mount allow for better cooling or air flow?

[stevo 27]

no there both the same just diffrent placement of the turbo


and yes top mount is pimp

[jaylo]

Originally posted by RZRSHARP_SVX
does running a top-mount allow for better cooling or air flow?

I find top mount has more surface area (length of manifold runners) and length of the downpipe.

More heat will be produced inside the engine bay.
Unless you have a cut out on your hood then it might help a lot on relieving extra heat from the top mount set up.

[zieg]

Top mount:

-Pretty much forced to go with a t3 or t3/t4 turbo, which isn't exactly ideal for a DD under 400 whp..

-easier to melt the BMC

-harder to get a proper downpipe

-easy to find them with an external wg

-often more expensive




Bottom mount:

-you can run a t2 series turbo, which is best for DD under 400 WHP IMO (you can make damn good power on a t28 as long as you aren't talking crazy high boost)

-easy to find a downpipe (SR turbo elbow and dp)

-often cheaper

-harder to find with an external wg

-some dont clear ac apparently






Or wait, did you mean for the Camaro? :D

[IntegraG2]

more likely than not a top mount is not going to accommodate a/c and p/s. There was a peakboost topmount prototype manifold that was a/c and p/s friendly but cost close to 2 grand.

I find that most top mount applications are used to make huge power. Like said before a huge turbo can used since there is lots of space. Another good thing is that a huge downpipe can be used im talking 4 inch or more. Downside is you do lose p/s and a/c, there is tons more material so its gonna be harsh on the wallet, wastegate placement is easy (even a twin WG set up can be ran) and finally as mentioned above the heat factor. They do look super pimp. Further down the road i would like to have a top mount set up. For daily drive the usual bottom mount is sufficient enough. Keeping p/s and a/c is nice well at least p/s.

[Annoyingrob]

Where's the love for the sidemount ;)

[RZRSHARP_SVX]

its for the 240sx I am upgrading the turbo for the SR20 I am putting in. and I want to up-grade the manifold as well. just looking at the advatages to both manifolds

[SR240SX]

Stay bottom mount...top mount mani's are pricey as hell for one that will last with a big turbo..and yea top mount your pretty forced to go with a larger turbo i dont think there is a top mount setup for t2 fanged turbo's on sr20's..then again anything can be done. Going top mount is going to cost you an arm and a leg i can tell you that. You'll need new turbo lines..oil/coolant w.e kinda turbo you run i dont know and aswell as a new downpipe,manifold,wastegate,dump tube or re-route to exhaust, new hot pipe for intercooler and yea good idea to get a heat blanket so your brake master dosent melt. Mine has been fine without but its just good to use. You can acheive the same amount of power on a bottom mount setup it just might be harder to fit a larger turbo down there. so basically only big deal about top mount is that yea it looks :bigpimp: hah

[RZRSHARP_SVX]

thanks for the advise guys

[doublepostwhore]

Top mount also allows for equal length mani's... usually bottom mount mani's are twin scroll, most all top mounts since they are ALL aftermarket are rarely twinscroll thus the the reason for bigger turbo.
Its not hard to hack off the existing flange to mate it to a t2 flange or what not but it would be stupid if you are getting a new manifold to down grade turbos. your stocker (red top right) is already a t3.

Another advantage is positioning of your cooling lines and ease of running your lines in general.

Top mount if you are going to do other supporting mods - front mount IC, new charge pipes, new oil/coolant lines, new exhaust, DP ect.

[doublepostwhore]

you could keep the existing manifold and get a gt28RS which is a discopotato, it flows enough air for 350HP. on your existing twin scroll.

[ron korolak]

Tubular manifolds on street cars ussually results in cracks, try to find the best flowing cast manifold you can unless you going for alot of power.

[RZRSHARP_SVX]

I am acctually picking up a disco in the next couple weeks. looks like I will probaly go with a bottom mount.

[doublepostwhore]

you dont need a new mani if you are getting a discopotato. did you read my post?

[J-reV]

Originally posted by doublepostwhore
Top mount also allows for equal length mani's... usually bottom mount mani's are twin scroll, most all top mounts since they are ALL aftermarket are rarely twinscroll thus the the reason for bigger turbo.
Its not hard to hack off the existing flange to mate it to a t2 flange or what not but it would be stupid if you are getting a new manifold to down grade turbos. your stocker (red top right) is already a t3.

Another advantage is positioning of your cooling lines and ease of running your lines in general.

Top mount if you are going to do other supporting mods - front mount IC, new charge pipes, new oil/coolant lines, new exhaust, DP ect.

-Bottom mounts can have equal length runners as well.
-Bottom mounts are not usually twin scroll.
-Top mounts Can come in twin scroll if you rquest it upon ordering
-People go with a topmount due to fitment issues
-All SR20 Red/Black tops come with T2 turbo's

[Sorath]

top mount

pros = big turbo.
cons = custom downpipe


bottom mount

pros = cheap downpipe
cons = not enough room for big turbo

[ron korolak]

Originally posted by Sorath
top mount

pros = big turbo.
cons = custom downpipe


bottom mount

pros = cheap downpipe
cons = not enough room for big turbo

Depending what application lots of people run "big" turbos on bottom mount manifolds like myself.

[SR240SX]

^^ on a dsm im guessing? an s13 is a different story..although i did see a bottom mount t3/t4 setup..but needed some custom work for fitment.

[peterparker]

i was thinking of going top mount mani with a t3...
but i think i might stray from that idea... seeing how you need a new downpipe, lines etc...
any more info? thatd be awesome

[j.ng-]

front mount = rape in winter :bullshit:

[Supa Dexta]

Originally posted by ron korolak
Tubular manifolds on street cars ussually results in cracks, try to find the best flowing cast manifold you can unless you going for alot of power.

Nah, just pay for a good one and you shouldn't have an issue.. And in the rare case there is, anything decent will have a great warranty to look after you..


Originally posted by j.ng-
front mount = rape in winter :bullshit:

and what are you talking about..

[B20EF]

Originally posted by j.ng-
front mount = rape in winter :bullshit:

This is true but he's referring to a top mount manifold not a front mount intercooler

[RZRSHARP_SVX]

I am going with the bottom mount for 2008 when I am running the disco.

but for next years project I am doing a top mount with a T/4 turbo.

thanks for the input very much appreaciated