I am inquiring about a spacer to place between my BB manifold and my T28 turbo to achieve proper block distance. I think I have read that it will need to be 1/3 to 1/2 inches. If someone could help me find somewhere to buy one I would appreciate it. I really dont want to attempt to machine my own...not good enough at that yet.

Thanx

Will the studs still reach if you find a spacer?

I am definitely sure the studs will reach as they are a little long to begin with. Also, this will only be a half an inch or less spacer, nothing extreme. I am sure others are interested in this too. If I was to have the skill to machine it myself, material cost would be no more than $35 with the actual weld on. However, I'm not trustworthy in our machine shop. Hell, I haven't even taken a class for it yet, so I could possibly be banned/fined for using school equipment in that lab. Someone please help out.:(

James:(

come on...someone muct be able to help or atleast give their input.

I've never heard of it being done before, but it's a pretty good idea. If I were trying to tackle it, I'd want to find a CNC plasma cutter and start with a 0.500" steel plate, rather than machining it. Use a manifold gasket as a template, and cut to fit. The only other thing may be radiator fan clearance, but I'm probably being paranoid. :)

Originally posted by CowboyDren
I've never heard of it being done before, but it's a pretty good idea. If I were trying to tackle it, I'd want to find a CNC plasma cutter and start with a 0.500" steel plate, rather than machining it. Use a manifold gasket as a template, and cut to fit. The only other thing may be radiator fan clearance, but I'm probably being paranoid. :)

Personally, I think this is a pretty bad idea. You will have two gaskets instead of one, the studs will be short, and you'll still have a Bluebird manifold. I think that for ~$250 (or whatever) the GTi-R manifold is a much more sensible option, and less hassle. By the time the spacer thing is all said-and-done, I think It will be more of a pain in the ass than its worth.

That said, If you really want a spacer, you might try calling hotshot and order a raw flange without the EGR groove machined. THey are CNC machined from 3/8" stock for headers, and 1/2" stock for turbo manifolds. Although I work there, I have no idea on the price and am not able to hook anyone up. You will need to call and ask. Also, they will not be readily available, as they are usually machined with an indentation for the EGR fitting, so expect to wait a while if you order one.

good luck
Andris

...he's even more right than I am. :)

is the spacer goin to angle the turbo or actually push it down furhter to a point where it doesnt hit the block?if its goin to angle the turbo then i would think that when you go to bolt up the turbo the bolts are goin to be at the angle of the turbo. where in your case i would think you would want screws perpendicular to the bolts. i dont know maybe i im not thinking the same as everyone else but just trying to help though.

matt

This is going to just put the turbo just a little farther from the block. And the bolt shortening will not be much of a difference. I was going to weld the spacer, which inturn would make it just like a single piece. This should be alot cheaper than just getting a GTiR manifold. This wasn't intended to be a difficult project. Just wondered if anyone had the place to buy something like this spacer. Hey Andris, could you find a cost on that for me, if it's not too much trouble. I thought at least one other person would have attempted this by now. I will base the HS price on whether or not I go this route. THANX....James

I am pretty sure I can accomplish the same flow rate as a gti-r manifold with my bluebird/spacer/and proper porting and polishing so I dont see how it can be a bad idea. I mean unless you can get me a gti-r manifold for 150 than I am gonna save money and have what I need. I just hate thinking about selling my BB manifold after I just got it a couple moths ago. Then I would have to find the other manifold for a good price. Plus, from what I have read, no-one even has proof that the gtir mani. has a better flow. I would like to get a flow test to see just how much of a difference there is. The difference might only be like an allowable velocity(V-gas) of +0.5 ft./s. Can anyone provide the facts on this I am curious. Also, that one link didn't work James V. I am interested, though. thanx

Try www.jgstools.com/turbo for the spacer. I think they stock them.

Thanx alot James...that ws exactly what I am talking about. And for 25 bucks...just the price I needed. I will just weld it and polish it to match the manifold. I think that will work fine.

you could easily just use 2 exhaust manifold gaskets instead of welding it one. I am always leary of welding cast iron, it is not an easy task.

WHOOPS! ok, Hold on a minute. I am a monkey, and totally mis-read the original post. I thought you were talking about moving the manifold away from the head using a head-flange-type spacer. You were talking about the manifold>turbo connection instead, which I totally missed. I think that getting a spacer between the manifold and turbo isn't going to solve your problem! It will move the turbo down, but I don't think the block clearance is any better there. However, doing this type of spacer is probably less hassle than the one I thought you were talking about, so it may be worth your while to try. I probably wouldn't bother welding it - just bolt it up. Another thing to consider: if you ever want to go bigger on the turbo (you don't think you want to now, but you will :) ) you will end up getting a gti-r manifold anyways, so it may be better in the long run to just go ahead and get it now.

sorry for the earlier misinterpretation

andris

Originally posted by HotshtSR20
you could easily just use 2 exhaust manifold gaskets instead of welding it one. I am always leary of welding cast iron, it is not an easy task.

very very true, I forgot to mention this. Unless you are a pro, it will be a very poor weld and prone to falling off . Just sandwich it in there.

andris

it's ok man, I understand. I would never try to f*ck with the area between the header and block. Too many problems could arise there. I think there is a bit of a difference if I use this spacer. It will hopefully give me the small amount of distance I need. And I did think about what happens when I want more boost. Well, a T28 will be fine for about a year. After that I will go T3/T04E with a log manifold, so I need not worry bout ever getting the GTi-R mani. I will keep erybody posted on how this spacer works. That way if it doesn't fit I can consider my idea ignorant and warn others about it.;)