PG Manifold installed

[SLS MS3]

I finally installed my manifold a couple of days ago. The stock manifold is a heavy mother too, easily twice as heavy as the new piece.

The biggest news about the install is that I didn't have to remove the valve cover. I didn't even need a pry bar or anything of that nature. After removing the studs from the turbo and the manifold bolts, it just slid right off. I don't have any real tips to offer, it's a fairly straight foward install. I already had my CS downpipe installed, and that made it easier to get to some of the manifold bolts. But on the flip side, the downpipe would have been easier to install with the manifold off. I didn't take many install pictures, there are good ones out there already... but here are a couple of the better ones:

I do have a fitment issue, but it is being taken care of.

The turbo seems to spool a lot faster, and is louder. The car hasn't adjusted to the faster spool yet, and I've been getting some boost spikes. The manifold is pretty damn awesome, if I do say so myself. I'm still running stock boost. 2nd gear is now useless to me, even tho I just put new tires on last week. Looking at my DashHawk logs, I have full boost by 2900rpms if I floor it at 2500. If I floor it at 3k, full boost is before 3300. Boost drops to just under 12lbs at redline.

Here's a couple of 4th gear pulls I logged with the DashHawk:

4th gear @ 3200ish rpm... boost spikes to 18.XX @ just over 3500rpm and falls to 11.xx @ 6400ish rpm

4th gear @ about 3250rpm... boost spikes to 19.5psi @ 3600ish rpm and falls to 11.5ish psi @ 6400ish rpm

 

[Sierra117]

Yummy...I want one. To bad I have to be responsible. Can't wait to hear it/see it in action.

 

[ericrapp]

Wow that set of pictures really does look like a great match and boy, flow must be awesome! Your sig says Vibrant but it sure looks like the corking. Man I sure wish I bought that with the rest of the exhaust. You are right, install of downpipe would have been a breeze. Any thoughts about heat shielding Manifold/Intercooler? I like it purty good.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

nice pictures, glad you like it

 

[freebird_78]

So how did you get the studs out?

 

[logik816]

wow! more pix pls. do you have the stock tmic? does it fit with the new headers on?

 

[SLS MS3]

Wow that set of pictures really does look like a great match and boy, flow must be awesome! Your sig says Vibrant but it sure looks like the corking. Man I sure wish I bought that with the rest of the exhaust. You are right, install of downpipe would have been a breeze. Any thoughts about heat shielding Manifold/Intercooler? I like it purty good.

It is a Corksport downpipe, mated to a Vibrant exhaust. As far as the heat shields, good riddance to the extra weight. I'm sure the underhood temps have increased from the extra radiant heat, but intake and boost temps haven't risen according to the DashHawk.

So how did you get the studs out?

PB blaster and a ratchet. In the pics where the manifold and turbo look wet, that's from the PB Blaster. 2 of the studs came right out, but the other 2 stayed in the turbo and the nut came off. For those I just screwed one of the extra nuts onto the stud on top of the existing one, and used a wrench on the bottom nut. The top nut kept the bottom one from loosening, which made the stud come out instead.

wow! more pix pls. do you have the stock tmic? does it fit with the new headers on?

Still have the stock tmic. You can see the small fitment issue in the last pic I posted, but Ken has me taken care of.

 

[logik816]

did you have to remove the valve cover to install your headers?

 

[Demi]

I didnt take this picture, i got it from the guy im buying my mani from, and its just too good a picture not to show off. This really is a beautiful and well made part. Props to PG.

 

[Antoine]

Awesome detail shots of your install SLS and badass product Ken (2thumbs)...Sheesh...you MS3 guys don't waste anytime hitting the hardcore mods...

Keep is updated for sure...What sort of hp/tq #'s do you estimate at the wheels...at this point?

 

[SLS MS3]

did you have to remove the valve cover to install your headers?

No, I didn't. The manifold slid right off when I took the turbo studs out.

 

[SLS MS3]

Awesome detail shots of your install SLS and badass product Ken (2thumbs)...Sheesh...you MS3 guys don't waste anytime hitting the hardcore mods...

Keep is updated for sure...What sort of hp/tq #'s do you estimate at the wheels...at this point?

I'm scheduled to dyno in 2 weeks. I'm guessing around 280ish whp and 330ish wtq. I'm still running stock boost, tho. I think I'd be alot closer to 300/350 if I turned it up.

 

[ericrapp]

You probably should go to a front mount intercooler at this point ehh? looking forward to dyno results. Good luck! What type of dyno do you think you will use?

 

[blacksheepms3]

what did you do with your primary O2 sensor wire? the dp below and the manifol up top is baking it. Did you wrap it in some kind of a heat shield? I installed my cs dp and i noticed the plastic that covers the wires of the o2 sensor got shiny due to heat. Maybe it's just a matter of time till it gets burnt. But right now it's holding up.

..and how are you solving the fitment issue with the tmic? any cel? any smoke? no cell and smoke for me for now.
Enjoy the extra power.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

hey SLS MS3, drop me a pm with your address so i can send out that intercooler hose for you

 

[ericrapp]

Short end

what did you do with your primary O2 sensor wire? the dp below and the manifol up top is baking it. Did you wrap it in some kind of a heat shield? I installed my cs dp and i noticed the plastic that covers the wires of the o2 sensor got shiny due to heat. Maybe it's just a matter of time till it gets burnt. But right now it's holding up.

..and how are you solving the fitment issue with the tmic? any cel? any smoke? no cell and smoke for me for now.
Enjoy the extra power.

Yes, my cable also got shorter after install hmmm, so there are some thermal heat wraps available just nothing specific. I used some bits tethered to the firewall to keep cabling off the toasty parts but it definitely needs a shield.

 

[dkswim]

cool i just bought one we will see how long till its installed though.

 

[blacksheepms3]

i bought some shieldings, will post pics after install.

 

[gbalanced]

The PG manifold just arrived yesterday for me and I plan on installing it today. Did you notice any of your exhaust ports sticking out into the port on the flange? I have one port that is jutting out of the way almost 1/4". I'm a tech at an auto dealer and I was wondering if any of you guys think it would be safe to grind down the metal to be flush with the flange (restrictions in exhaust = bad). Is there any kind of thermal coating on this manifold you know of?

 

[Captain KRM P5]

The PG manifold just arrived yesterday for me and I plan on installing it today. Did you notice any of your exhaust ports sticking out into the port on the flange? I have one port that is jutting out of the way almost 1/4". I'm a tech at an auto dealer and I was wondering if any of you guys think it would be safe to grind down the metal to be flush with the flange (restrictions in exhaust = bad). Is there any kind of thermal coating on this manifold you know of?

i got your email today, sent one back regarding this