Well, the call came in on Friday. Ken, from Protege Garage, called me up and let me know that the manifolds were here. I met up with him that afternoon (actually skipped out on work haha) and picked mine up.
Protege Garage's garage has become a store room the past few days with all the new stuff that's been coming in (forgive the bad cell phone pictures).
I had done a test fitting on a prototype manifold a few months ago and had been anxiously waiting for the final version- which, I've been told, is the last revision of this product.
So, first things first: the construction of the manifold.
The manifold is made from 304 stainless, and it looks fantastic. I took a caliper to all the orifices and every opening is .05in of stock. The pipe walls are over 3mm thick, which is an increase over the previous version. The structure is adequately braced, and from everything I can see should last for a very long time-- not that I have any concern, but the manifold is covered with a lifetime warranty... which is unheard of for a tuner manifold.
Also included, free of charge, is an EGT bung, which is really cool.
The kit also comes with a 1/4 NPT bolt incase you choose not to immediately use the bung.
So, you get the idea- the thing is really solid.
I spent a few hours yesterday installing it with some buddies and it was just a breeze. Having done this once before, and knowing what it entailed, we were able to get this completely done in just under 4 hours.
Fitment was perfect to my stock turbo, and will mate right up to all the GT and T3/T4e options that are out right now.
Having driven around now for about 100 miles, I am absolutely in love with this. I was able to reuse my stock gaskets without a single sign of a leak, or any other issues. Down low, there is a big increase in torque. I won't make any over-the-top comments saying that you now own a diesel truck, but there is a definitely measurable difference. In fact, all over the powerband, the car feels "healthier"- but, without a doubt, the most significant difference comes up top where the car just screams.
The turbo spools faster, the exhaust note has become more throaty, and around once you get around 4500RPM, you just blast off.
I don't want to perpetuate ricer math- so I won't... instead I'll simply say that this is a more significant change than any other mod I've added to my car.
At $499, this is the cheapest manifold on the market- it's long runners and competent bends are just what you want. I don't see the point in paying an additional $400-$500 dollars for a custom fab'd one that will produce an unquantifiable difference in power, nor a cheaper option that doesn't come with the bung or warranty offered by PG. The ability to accommodate an EWG and fitment, even with the ETS TMIC, make this, in my opinion, the best option around.
I would definitely recommend checking this out.
Protege Garage's garage has become a store room the past few days with all the new stuff that's been coming in (forgive the bad cell phone pictures).
I had done a test fitting on a prototype manifold a few months ago and had been anxiously waiting for the final version- which, I've been told, is the last revision of this product.
So, first things first: the construction of the manifold.
The manifold is made from 304 stainless, and it looks fantastic. I took a caliper to all the orifices and every opening is .05in of stock. The pipe walls are over 3mm thick, which is an increase over the previous version. The structure is adequately braced, and from everything I can see should last for a very long time-- not that I have any concern, but the manifold is covered with a lifetime warranty... which is unheard of for a tuner manifold.
Also included, free of charge, is an EGT bung, which is really cool.
The kit also comes with a 1/4 NPT bolt incase you choose not to immediately use the bung.
So, you get the idea- the thing is really solid.
I spent a few hours yesterday installing it with some buddies and it was just a breeze. Having done this once before, and knowing what it entailed, we were able to get this completely done in just under 4 hours.
Fitment was perfect to my stock turbo, and will mate right up to all the GT and T3/T4e options that are out right now.
Having driven around now for about 100 miles, I am absolutely in love with this. I was able to reuse my stock gaskets without a single sign of a leak, or any other issues. Down low, there is a big increase in torque. I won't make any over-the-top comments saying that you now own a diesel truck, but there is a definitely measurable difference. In fact, all over the powerband, the car feels "healthier"- but, without a doubt, the most significant difference comes up top where the car just screams.
The turbo spools faster, the exhaust note has become more throaty, and around once you get around 4500RPM, you just blast off.
I don't want to perpetuate ricer math- so I won't... instead I'll simply say that this is a more significant change than any other mod I've added to my car.
At $499, this is the cheapest manifold on the market- it's long runners and competent bends are just what you want. I don't see the point in paying an additional $400-$500 dollars for a custom fab'd one that will produce an unquantifiable difference in power, nor a cheaper option that doesn't come with the bung or warranty offered by PG. The ability to accommodate an EWG and fitment, even with the ETS TMIC, make this, in my opinion, the best option around.
I would definitely recommend checking this out.
lol
