JasonCzerak
Active member
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2006
- Messages
- 14,827
Recently I've seen a lot of soot where there shouldn't be any soot.. I figured I finally had a cracked OEM manifold. So I called around and purchased this one though Wally @ FTE. I had it directly shipped to Levi @ Turbo Performance products to have a blanket made for it and to make some changes to the design of the blanket for better fit, look and function. In the end here, I'm impress and all smiles! Wasn't an easy night lastnight getting everything all together. I even didn't go for my "after change test drive" as it was 3am and I was beat. 
The Good:
Build quality of the manifold is "good". Bigger tubes, bigger "t3" flange holes. the flange is separated all the way to the flange unlike the stock heavier duty everything. It's heavier then the OEM manifold, everything is better except the final touches (see the The Bad section for why)
Levi's Blanket is just simply BAD ASS. He's gotten better and improved already good quality to GREAT quality. I've got the original OEM manifold blanket with ports for EGT and Drive for sale if anyone wants a piece of history! LOL
Call Levi at TurboPerformanceProducts, these things do work. Not only do they make about 2psi more boost, underhood temps are lowered dramatically. A/C operation is improved. And they make ugly parts look good!
The Bad:
So, you spend over $500 for a fancy manifold you expect it to be perfect. I could of very easily bought a PDI, ATS, or just replaced my stock one with a stock one for much less money. I fully did not expect I'd have to do my very first porting job on a brand new $500+ part. That kinda upsets me. the OEM manifold's gaskets and inlets and outlets were all the same and matched for the most part. And to add insult to injury the 6 exhaust gaskets were all bent.
Now, I know the OEM manifold was making some sort of noise, but I think the BIG leak was the 64/71/13ss cover. I've noticed they put antisieze on the bolts on this last housing that in fact still keeps the gates shut. 1 bolt missing, 2 lose. the main reason for all my soot everywhere. I suggest a higher quality bolt that doesn't feel like your going to snap it in two when snugged down real tight.
The Badass:
PORTING! I've never done this before. i'm rather happy I did! It was hard work, fun and I'm wondering what real return I got on this time spent.
I think I read from someone on one of these forums that I should port it. I said I just wanteed to drop it in ... that's until I saw what I posted in the "The Bad" section..... So, I got some dremel wheels and some die grinders and went to town.
Left side done:
HTT on the left, stock on the right. The difference in opening is dramatic!
PORTED THE TURBO TO MATCH!!!
The inlets where all touched and enlarged, and in 2 cases, the out-of-round was made round again to match the gasket
On The Truck
The manifold blanket's "flap" was supposed to hold onto the head studs.. the grommets are just a hair to small. I'm sure Levi will figure something out.
How does it drive?
Ohhh my... I've seen some interesting boost/drive pressure combos.. 50psi boost, 40psi drive at 1/2 throttle! 8spi boost, 2 drive (just off the peg on a 100psi gauge). 700EGT's @ 75mph.
Less smoke, Spools like stock. I want a stock truck to gauge this against. it just makes boost the second you touch the throttle, even as low as 1600rpm with a 64/71/13ss
Drone is there, however at 75mph you can't "feel it" you just hear the exhaust from the right rear. Drone has been reduced by I say 80%?
Ticking noises are gone that I've been hearing. So my old manifold was cracked or leaking, I can't see any cranks. It's free to a good home + shipping
It's just so smooth. the exhaust sounds better, revs faster.
This single change had made a WORLD of a difference.
The Good:
Build quality of the manifold is "good". Bigger tubes, bigger "t3" flange holes. the flange is separated all the way to the flange unlike the stock heavier duty everything. It's heavier then the OEM manifold, everything is better except the final touches (see the The Bad section for why)
Levi's Blanket is just simply BAD ASS. He's gotten better and improved already good quality to GREAT quality. I've got the original OEM manifold blanket with ports for EGT and Drive for sale if anyone wants a piece of history! LOL
Call Levi at TurboPerformanceProducts, these things do work. Not only do they make about 2psi more boost, underhood temps are lowered dramatically. A/C operation is improved. And they make ugly parts look good!
The Bad:
So, you spend over $500 for a fancy manifold you expect it to be perfect. I could of very easily bought a PDI, ATS, or just replaced my stock one with a stock one for much less money. I fully did not expect I'd have to do my very first porting job on a brand new $500+ part. That kinda upsets me. the OEM manifold's gaskets and inlets and outlets were all the same and matched for the most part. And to add insult to injury the 6 exhaust gaskets were all bent.
Now, I know the OEM manifold was making some sort of noise, but I think the BIG leak was the 64/71/13ss cover. I've noticed they put antisieze on the bolts on this last housing that in fact still keeps the gates shut. 1 bolt missing, 2 lose. the main reason for all my soot everywhere. I suggest a higher quality bolt that doesn't feel like your going to snap it in two when snugged down real tight.
The Badass:
PORTING! I've never done this before. i'm rather happy I did! It was hard work, fun and I'm wondering what real return I got on this time spent.
I think I read from someone on one of these forums that I should port it. I said I just wanteed to drop it in ... that's until I saw what I posted in the "The Bad" section..... So, I got some dremel wheels and some die grinders and went to town.
Left side done:
HTT on the left, stock on the right. The difference in opening is dramatic!
PORTED THE TURBO TO MATCH!!!
The inlets where all touched and enlarged, and in 2 cases, the out-of-round was made round again to match the gasket
On The Truck
The manifold blanket's "flap" was supposed to hold onto the head studs.. the grommets are just a hair to small. I'm sure Levi will figure something out.
How does it drive?
Ohhh my... I've seen some interesting boost/drive pressure combos.. 50psi boost, 40psi drive at 1/2 throttle! 8spi boost, 2 drive (just off the peg on a 100psi gauge). 700EGT's @ 75mph.
Less smoke, Spools like stock. I want a stock truck to gauge this against. it just makes boost the second you touch the throttle, even as low as 1600rpm with a 64/71/13ss
Drone is there, however at 75mph you can't "feel it" you just hear the exhaust from the right rear. Drone has been reduced by I say 80%?
Ticking noises are gone that I've been hearing. So my old manifold was cracked or leaking, I can't see any cranks. It's free to a good home + shipping
It's just so smooth. the exhaust sounds better, revs faster.
This single change had made a WORLD of a difference.
![101_1351[1].JPG](/data/attachments/17/17714-ef0d7819edba4eadcaf1fb9783810f78.jpg?hash=7w14Ge26Tq)