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firechicken · 10-06-2004, 03:30 PM

I've been working on a set of manifolds for my TT project for a couple of days now and thought I'd post a couple pics of my progress. The drivers side is tough with the steering stuff in the way but I think this will work. Any input welcomed good or bad.

Drivers side

firechicken · 10-06-2004, 03:30 PM

I've been working on a set of manifolds for my TT project for a couple of days now and thought I'd post a couple pics of my progress. The drivers side is tough with the steering stuff in the way but I think this will work. Any input welcomed good or bad.

Drivers side

firechicken · 10-06-2004, 03:31 PM

Drivers side

firechicken · 10-06-2004, 03:33 PM

On stand

firechicken · 10-06-2004, 03:39 PM

downpipe

burch · 10-06-2004, 04:09 PM

Nice work--Pontiac motors sure make it difficult for turbo headers since the exhaust ports point basically in the wrong direction.

Did you give any thought to bringing the manifold forward and mounting the turbos in front of the cylinder heads, instead of off to the side?

Looks like you're using pipe? Schedule 40? Stainless?

Mo · 10-06-2004, 04:51 PM

What diameter pipe are you using? You are better off using 4 smaller pipes or do what 455turbo did with one common tube that all 4 feed into. A turbo exhaust system is complex and takes up alot of room. Your set up should work but may not be as efficient as one with individual runners but it's still better than mine.

firechicken · 10-06-2004, 06:32 PM

I'm using schedule 40 mild steel. The end ports are 1.5" I.D pipe and 2" I.D. pipe for the center two ports and outlet. I decided it would be too difficult for me to try and create individual runners for the center D's. Basically It's a 3-tube manifold with a 2" collector. I knew I was giving up some efficiency with this design but I figured for a first attempt it would have to do.
After studying 455turbo's setup, I decided against a front mount manifold even though it would have been easier to build and perhaps more efficient. Because I'm using a twin draw-thru setup, the turbo assemblies are quite long with a carb attached at the end. This is why the turbos are mounted between the front two cylinders. As a plus I can retain the power steering and radiator in the stock locations.
A pic of work started on passenger side. Here you can see the three tube idea a little better.

Young One79TA · 10-06-2004, 08:01 PM

It's a bit tricky with the down facing exhaust ports isn't it?

I am also in the process of making my manifolds, I will be using 40 schedule stainless steel weld els and will try and make them 4 tubes. It is taking forever. After I thought I had it, I installed a spare engine in my '79 and had problems with them hitting the steering shaft. Had to change everything.

Luckily I didn't have them welded yet.

If I can't get the 4 tubes to work I will probably use the same method you are using.

I will be going blow-thru and intercooler route though, till I have the cash for an EFI setup.

Mo · 10-06-2004, 08:21 PM

Forgot yours is a dual draw through system. That is gonna be a wild looking set up when your done.

goatnut4909 · 10-06-2004, 10:59 PM

maybe you could use a set of old headers and cut all the pipe of after the flange then you should be able to run seprate pipes for each port lookin good though

firechicken · 10-07-2004, 01:15 PM

I am using old header flanges. There's just not enough room for two thick wall pipes between the bolts of the center ports. Maybe you could weld up some kind of fabrication to transition from D's to round pipe but I think that's beyond me. Oh well, here's a couple pics of this afternoon's progress.

firechicken · 10-07-2004, 01:17 PM

Passenger side Y upturn

Bud Lyons · 10-07-2004, 05:32 PM

You must be a pipefitter by trade. Nice work.

455Turbo · 10-07-2004, 06:16 PM

Nice work. It's good to see another twin turbo Pontiac coming along.

455Bird · 10-07-2004, 06:24 PM

I went about turbocharging my 79TA a little bit differently. I wanted to make some custom headers but it's such a tight fit that I gave up and just used standard exhaust manifolds. The hard part of the single turbo is connecting both sides of the exhaust before entering the turbo. As you'll see, I ran my exhaust around the oil pan. It has worked very well and you can't see any of the piping without crawling under the car.

I think your headers are looking great! Keep up the good work! Oh and 455Turbo made some KILLER reverse manifolds! I was blown away when I saw those.

455Bird · 10-07-2004, 06:26 PM

Here's how it routes around the oil pan.

Jeff Walker · 10-07-2004, 06:29 PM

Nice work firechicken! Can't wait to see the whole setup when you have it done.

455Bird · 10-07-2004, 06:45 PM

Here's my twin turbo effort. Twin TO4b turbos. 462ci. 69Bird. 3.25gear

Tom Vaught · 10-08-2004, 08:35 AM

What size turbos are you hoping to run?

Some years ago a Pontiac Engineer named Skip McCully and I talked about using TWO of the
Pontiac 301 Turbo cast iron manifolds (one for each bank) on a 455 twin turbo deal he
was interested in.

He was going to use two of the 301 turbos on a custom draw thru deal.

I looked at the deal and saw some good things with his ideas.

If you could find two of the turbo manifolds you might save a lot of work on that plumbing.

The other option is to make two manifolds that look like upside down Chebby small block "Rams Horn" pieces. The FACTORY 421 turbo manifolds I had were cast similar to that
style but would not fit an A-Body car, only a B body car. (Possible F body too).
Not sure about the later years but know the 67-69 bird and B car swap.

Tom V.

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