[J. Dub]

Trying to gauge why some prefer 3 piece over 1 piece manifolds.

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by J. Dub

Trying to gauge why some prefer 3 piece over 1 piece manifolds.

By 3 piece; do you just mean manifolds which vband together at certain points?

Outside of installation i'd say it's a wash. Obviously whenever you have to seal something, the potential for leaks grows. But I haven't seen any evidence of that being an issue on the VM or Docrace manis.

Installing a single really isn't that hard - far easier than doing stock twins that's for sure.

[J. Dub]

Originally Posted by 135Pats

By 3 piece; do you just mean manifolds which vband together at certain points?

Outside of installation i'd say it's a wash. Obviously whenever you have to seal something, the potential for leaks grows. But I haven't seen any evidence of that being an issue on the VM or Docrace manis.

Installing a single really isn't that hard - far easier than doing stock twins that's for sure.

This was exactly my thoughts. I was going to pull the trigger on docrace but noticed it was a 3piece design. I'd prefer it was a single piece design. For less chance of leaks.

[135Pats]

Originally Posted by J. Dub

This was exactly my thoughts. I was going to pull the trigger on docrace but noticed it was a 3piece design. I'd prefer it was a single piece design. For less chance of leaks.

Ya; though in fairness it should be noted that-that (leaks) really don't seem to be an issue. So long as you orient it properly vbands seal really well.

Totally your call (I went with a one-piece manifold) but IMO there are appreciably more important decisions to make. If you've already made those decisions then by all means prioritize this.

Good luck! You can't go wrong going single turbo. Actually, yes you can...But not with a kit like Docrace's.

[Torgus]

fwiw doc race has been building manifolds for a while. This is not their 1st rodeo. I trust their design. If you want one less v band go with the VM kit. They just help with the installation/fabrication.

[csu87]

The 3 piece will make it easier to fit in imo. And as long as you tighten everything up properly, you shouldnt have any leaks.

[J. Dub]

Originally Posted by Torgus

fwiw doc race has been building manifolds for a while. This is not their 1st rodeo. I trust their design. If you want one less v band go with the VM kit. They just help with the installation/fabrication.

Does not one company make a single turbo kit with one piece mani for us n54 guys?

[Stucks]

Multi piece manifolds like vm and docrace are easier to install, no doubt. single piece manifolds have less sealing points and thus less chances to leak unless there are cracks at the welds (earlier fftec kits had this, but haven't seen that from any recent ones). That being said, I haven't seen any issues with the vm or docrace multi piece manifolds.

Originally Posted by J. Dub

Does not one company make a single turbo kit with one piece mani for us n54 guys?

AD engineering, fftec, motiv, to name a few.

[J. Dub]

Originally Posted by Stucks

Multi piece manifolds like vm and docrace are easier to install, no doubt. single piece manifolds have less sealing points and thus less chances to leak unless there are cracks at the welds (earlier fftec kits had this, but haven't seen that from any recent ones). That being said, I haven't seen any issues with the vm or docrace multi piece manifolds.



AD engineering, fftec, motiv, to name a few.

Perfect, this is what I needed to know thank you.

[1BADM3]

I have JPworkz kit it is 1 piece manifold.

[nikitino25]

Doc race kit is tempting especially with the BB discount......u getting port injection kit also?

[3000GT MR]

I've had my VM for a while now. No leaks thus far. It makes it much easier to install. Any bottom mount isnt bad either, but if your looking to go TM i wouldnt be turned away by multi-piece manifolds. Its no different than the V-band wastegates, When properly installed i've never seen 1 leak. Personally i'd go VM or Doc. both very well made.

[J. Dub]

Originally Posted by nikitino25

Doc race kit is tempting especially with the BB discount......u getting port injection kit also?

No sir. No PI for now. The goal is to be on full e85 but my AT tranny is the set back.

[J. Dub]

Originally Posted by 3000GT MR

I've had my VM for a while now. No leaks thus far. It makes it much easier to install. Any bottom mount isnt bad either, but if your looking to go TM i wouldnt be turned away by multi-piece manifolds. Its no different than the V-band wastegates, When properly installed i've never seen 1 leak. Personally i'd go VM or Doc. both very well made.

I want TM badly, however I have a vented CF hood I will NEVER give up. So I will need to measure. re-measure and measure again to make sure NO rain will ever get on the hot parts.
I worry rain coming in from my vent hoods will crack a hot part.

[3000GT MR]

Originally Posted by J. Dub

I want TM badly, however I have a vented CF hood I will NEVER give up. So I will need to measure. re-measure and measure again to make sure NO rain will ever get on the hot parts.
I worry rain coming in from my vent hoods will crack a hot part.

Let me borrow that hood for a few years and i'll let you know how it is with the rain. We dont even need to change colors. I'd say a good 2-3yrs will suffice, im all about longevity

[Torgus]

I would make a shield underneath with sheet metal.

Or fill them in and repaint. It's not like those vents do anything worth while.

[3000GT MR]

Originally Posted by Torgus

I would make a shield underneath with sheet metal.

Or fill them in and repaint. It's not like those vents do anything worth while.

I know someone who actually tested hood vents and they make a big difference. In factory form we have very little area for air to escape from under the hood. This creates the slippery low coefficient drag as well while maintaining the BMW look without getting all stupid looking.

Vent louvers are the way to go. Not scoops, we dont need more air under the hood. We just need it out.

[J. Dub]

Originally Posted by Torgus

I would make a shield underneath with sheet metal.

Or fill them in and repaint. It's not like those vents do anything worth while.

Um, huge difference. I literally see heat escaping just sitting in my car from the vents.
But I like your idea of me creating a channel for the rain

[J. Dub]

Originally Posted by 3000GT MR

Let me borrow that hood for a few years and i'll let you know how it is with the rain. We dont even need to change colors. I'd say a good 2-3yrs will suffice, im all about longevity

Thank you. I spent hours on this hood to fill and shave the bmw emblem area so I could run this without a badge.

[Torgus]

Originally Posted by 3000GT MR

I know someone who actually tested hood vents and they make a big difference. In factory form we have very little area for air to escape from under the hood. This creates the slippery low coefficient drag as well while maintaining the BMW look without getting all stupid looking.

Vent louvers are the way to go. Not scoops, we dont need more air under the hood. We just need it out.

I am sure it helps and lowers under hood temps but are there any real gains from doing so? Like if I want cooler oil temps I install another or a larger cooler, cooler AITs run meth or E85. I am sure the vents work and air comes out but what are the measurable gains if any? My main point here is if you blocked them it wouldn't 'really' matter imo. 99.99% of N54s don't have a vented hood and are just fine.

I had a CF hood on my last car and I could see the heat escape as well. I never measured anything.

Which hood is that anyways? It's nice and clean and not all gaudy like the other hoods that are available.

[zero2sixtyZ]

Originally Posted by Torgus

I am sure it helps and lowers under hood temps but are there any real gains from doing so? Like if I want cooler oil temps I install another or a larger cooler, cooler AITs run meth or E85. I am sure the vents work and air comes out but what are the measurable gains if any? My main point here is if you blocked them it wouldn't 'really' matter imo. 99.99% of N54s don't have a vented hood and are just fine.

I had a CF hood on my last car and I could see the heat escape as well. I never measured anything.

Which hood is that anyways? It's nice and clean and not all gaudy like the other hoods that are available.

Yes. Noticed a difference on Island Road's car vs my temps being run the same way.

[J. Dub]

Originally Posted by Torgus

I am sure it helps and lowers under hood temps but are there any real gains from doing so? Like if I want cooler oil temps I install another or a larger cooler, cooler AITs run meth or E85. I am sure the vents work and air comes out but what are the measurable gains if any? My main point here is if you blocked them it wouldn't 'really' matter imo. 99.99% of N54s don't have a vented hood and are just fine.

I had a CF hood on my last car and I could see the heat escape as well. I never measured anything.

Which hood is that anyways? It's nice and clean and not all gaudy like the other hoods that are available.

I've noticed much quicker cool downs after running the quarter then after 8 minutes lining back up to pull down the quarter again. As far as oil temps. Probably subjective. I only see temps get to 240. But I don't know if that's due to hood I admit.
And it's a vorsteiner CF hood. (but painted) And thanks for the compliments. I had to jump through so many hoops to get this hood. And to get it to line up correctly, including custom brackets so I wouldn't have to have hood pins.