Hi, Paul.....I received the cast intake manifold. I tried every way I could to make the gasket
line up with the holes, and found that the bottom two holes would be off the end of the flange.
Then I noted the e-mail from John Slade, stating that he had the same problem. You replied that
you "screwed up slightly on that version when you tried to save weight, and that you will add a
little more metal to the flange on the next batch". Fortunately, I am not in a hurry for a good
fitting manifold. I would much rather return this version and wait for the next batch, as I have
no welding and machining skills nor contacts. I was hoping for a version like the first batch, or
the next batch. Thanks, Paul Paul Conner, Mobile, AL
This manifold and the next batch will not fit the third gen engines without
extensive modifications. If you cannot make these modifications send me private
email and I will give you shipping instructions to get your money back.
We have no plans to cast a manifold specifically for the third gen engine at this time.
If you have a third gen engine and you are thinking of ordering the manifold don't!
I disagree. I looked a various other ways to crack this particular nut, and IMHO the cast manifold is > the way to go, even though it's not a perfect fit for the 3rd gen. It's no big deal to extend the > > >flange or adjust the ports to fit. Compared to starting from scratch this cast is wonderful. It'll save >its cost in welding bills if you're paying a TIG welder, and in frustration if you're doing it >yourself.
John Slade
That's the sprit John. I have been down that road myself and I have a lot
of cut up scrap stock manifolds to prove it. Took me about two years trying and I gave
up and did the casting. The most difficult part to fab is the center
housing ports. A bit of material added around the edges of the flange is trivial.
BTW Since the 89-91 turbo looks like the hot set up for aircraft use I am thinking
of doing a cast iron version of the Mazda stock turbo exhaust manifold except with what
I think are a few improvements. IMHO one of the reasons they crack is the
sharp edges around the turbo and exhaust port openings. Also the supply
of good used ones is drying up. I don't know the price of a new one from
Mazda but I will bet it is not cheap. I think it can be made to fit a
Garrett TO3 with minor mods. This is not to say the 89-91 cracks nearly
as often as the 87-88 or 93-up. The 89-91 seems to be the most reliable
turbo set up from the cracking standpoint.
Paul Lamar
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