First I would like to thank KB racing for setting me up with a master power t70

So, I am going to start my 5.3 turbo build this fall and I have a few questions, mainly regarding the turbo manifold. I would also greatly appreciate any suggestions you guys got.

I plan on placing the turbo on the driver side (see pic, rough location, probably lower) as the passenger side as the megasquirt relay box and O2 controller on the wheel well plate. The msd box and wheel well plate will be removed from the driver side, driver side coil pack might be relocated also. The only problem I see in placing it on the diverside is the oil drain, I will have to tap the pan. (the big oil sensor is on the pass side)

With the turbo placed there, I will have to build shorty type header for the passenger side and a turbo manifold for the driver side. I have tried truck and car manifolds, neither will work with the tight space I have.

Currently, the headers I have on the car now and made from ~.5" steel flanges with 1 5/8" stainless primaries feeding into 3" collectors. Stainless primaries and the steel flanges have had no problems over the last couple years.

My question is the driver side manifold. I have been thinking about using another steel flange and sch 40 weld els and making the manifold out of some nice heavy steel pipe. Ideally I would make it out of stainless flanges with heavy stainless pipes, but is this even necessary? What kind of flanges/primaries is everyone else running?

Only other questions I have right now is will 2.5" intercooler piping be sufficient? the turbo compressor outlet is 2.5"
And is the turbine housing clockable? not a big deal if it is not, just might help a little

By the way, the car will be street driven, only looking for 6-8lbs boost

 

lol, i was looking at the fenders and thinking this isn't a Chevy...no, it's a Turbo 5.3 VW Beetle!! yeah!

 

I don't have any helpful advice, but that bug will be a handfull and a blast when you get it finished.

 

Will you keep the original engine in the back just for show?

 

I would!!

or for traction,LOL

 

Thats going to be a handful! The wheel base is |---| <----that long, but who am i kidding? SAWEEEEET!

Dustin

 

I thought about traction also.

 

Well, Since every one want to just talk about how crazy your car is, I'll give you a little advice about what to build your exhaust out of. I would build it out of Sced 40 pipe weldals like your talking about. 1 1/2" off the header flange into a 2 1/2" log is how I'd do it.

Plus building the manifold out of thick pipe materials like that, it is plenty strong enough to support the weight of the turbo, so you don't need to add bracing.

 

Eh, what do you know about building turbo manifolds.

Seriously though where the f are you going to put that turbo?

 

Id put it above the motor and sticking it thru the hood