First Fitting... Opinions?
 

So my HMT derailed for the last couple of months... Holidays and cold weather are just kicking my ass. But I broke down yesterday and decided to spark my enthusiasm by braving the cold and doing my first fitting. So far, I have a STD manifold, turbo & adapter plate (among other things, but this is my primary focus right now). When I assembled the three, everything looks kind of backwards from what I thought it would look like.

The first picture shows the oil drain on top, so I need to remove the bolts and rotate that part 180 degrees. The 02 sensor should also be removed, plugged and eventually relocated to the downpipe?
http://www.knuckleheadpress.com/Chris/top-oil.jpg

I also thought it was strange that the wastegate actuator was between the turbo and the block... Is that right, or should it be facing outward? I can't tell if there will be adequete clearance until I get the A/C out. I also need to rotate the air compressor side 180 degrees so the outlet flange is pointing down.
http://www.knuckleheadpress.com/Chris/side2.jpg

Finally, for some reason, I thought the downpipe would have been on the right hand side, instead of the left. A quick look shows part of the tranny and the clutch lever thingy (I can't remember what it's called) are in the way, or should I be going around it?
http://www.knuckleheadpress.com/Chris/downpipe.jpg

http://www.knuckleheadpress.com/Chris/side1.jpg

The more I look at this now, it just looks totally wrong... :-X

Re:First Fitting... Opinions?
 

Try mounting the turbo with the wastegate actuator on the outside and see if it lines up better.

Re:First Fitting... Opinions?
 

I dont think I can do that because of the way the exhaust side is set up. The actuator arm swivel thing is located in the back as well. That's why I thought the downpipe should be on the right hand side and actuator would be in the forefront.

Re:First Fitting... Opinions?
 

ok rotate the centre section 180. you can rotate the compressor housing so it points up and you wont have to fab anything up for the wastegate actuator. leave the o2 where it is.

Re:First Fitting... Opinions?
 

I see what you're getting at... ;)

I'm thinking about taking the whole turbo off and rotating that 180 degrees as well so that the air compressor is on the left side too...

Re:First Fitting... Opinions?
 

whatever floats your boat...you have to just play with it till it works. this is why i like making my own manifolds

Re:First Fitting... Opinions?
 

Ha... LOL. I keep forgetting I have to be creative...

Re:First Fitting... Opinions?
 

you might have to fab something up to hold the WG actuator though.

Re:First Fitting... Opinions?
 

If it were me, and if it were even possible (it's hard to tell just by the pics) I'd rotate the center housing first thing so the oil return was pointing downward - next I'd mount the turbo to the manifold 180 degrees from how you have it now. That way the air inlet is facing the passenger side and the downpipe will be clear of the tranny that way. Also the wastegate will be facing the front of the car, not between the turbo and the head.

Finally, if you could rotate the compressor so the outlet is facing downwards that would make running your charge pipes a lot easier, assuming it wouldn't be touching the downpipe.

Keep experimenting and be creative. ;D