Keep the A/C
 

I am planing on turboing my d16y8 in a 97 coupe. I am planing on using a T3 and an ebay manifold with an external wastegate. I have been doing some research and it seems like whether or not you can keep your A/C basically depends on the manifold that you use, is that correct?

I just want to make sure before I start buying parts.

thanks
-Aidan

Re:Keep the A/C
 

Correct. By "ebay manifold" I hope you don't mean the SSautochrome one. :-X :-\
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Re:Keep the A/C
 

---- A/C!! - Matt

Re:Keep the A/C
 

You wouldn't be saying that if you lived here. 125+ degrees. :'( Makes for a sweaty ride.
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Re:Keep the A/C
 

Yes, capatian. I live in Mississippi and it's no icicle here either. But .... ---- A/C!!

Re:Keep the A/C
 

By ebay manifold I just mean that I will get one off ebay but I think the ssautochrome was one of the ones I was looking at. What is wrong with the ssautochrome? :-\

-Aidan

Re:Keep the A/C
 

What ISN'T wrong with it is the better question. If I were you, I would stay away from it. Lots of problems with them and that seller is a dickhead. If you have a problem, don't expect him to help you. He'll just insult you and tell you to ---- yourself. >:(
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Re:Keep the A/C
 

what would be a good decently priced manifold that would allow me to keep the A/C. If someone could point me in the right direction that would be awsome! :D

-Aidan

Re:Keep the A/C
 

The ssautochrome mani is nice looking and should perform well but it is known to crack. Some have been able to keep it from cracking by bracing it well. Log manifolds aren't the best performers out there due to their poor flow characteristics, but they are less prone to cracking at the welds. A log mani should let you keep a/c. Ask first.

Re:Keep the A/C
 

d16y8- I just did exactly what you are trying to do. I bought the ebay mani, a t3, and installed it on a d16y8 96 civic. It is POSSIBLE to keep the AC, which I am doing, but it is such a hassle I would find a different mani. There is about 2" of clearance between the dp outlet and the back of the AC compressor when its bolted up. I had a muffler shop fab me a dp, they basically took a piece of 2.25" pipe, ovaled it, then beat it with a hammer until it would fit in there... it is pretty nasty. Also, if you plan on running an internal wastegate, the flapper lever will be about 1.5" away from your AC condenser. I have the mani, t3 and dp sitting right here beside me, where it will stay until I get my injectors, IC tubing and my VAFC installed.

The ssautochrome manifold is the subject of so much hype, and so many different opinions. Yes, there are definitely way better manifolds out there, but for someone doing a budget setup, it is hard to beat $150, and it looks nice. I haven't run mine long enough to tell you that it will hold up, in fact, I haven't run ever mine under boost yet.

Before I bought the ebay mani, I read all I could about it in the forums, and it seemed that people had the most problems with the unbraced versions. What is on ebay now has two braces welded from the bottom of the exhaust flange to the turbo exhaust flange. You probably would want to brace it even better, but I haven't. This newer braced version seems to hold up better for people, I have read on HT of at least two people who have been running them for over 6 months, with no complaints. Most everyone else says they suck, but hasn't run them.

As far as service, I emailed the ssautochrome.com like 10 days before I ordered, and they never responded. I ordered the mani anyways, and I received it the very next day. (I live in Elizabeth City, NC, he is in Raliegh, NC). I haven't had to communicate with him since then, and that is a good thing, cause I don't think he would even reply.

Ok, so to recap, if you want to easily keep AC with your t3, I would go with a different manifold. It will cost you a bit more, but you will have peace of mind and you won't have to run the equivalent of a 1.75" dp like me. In all this I am assuming you are running an internal wastegate, if not, you will have an extra 1.357" (broke out the micrometer for that one ;) of clearance for your downpipe.

Shoot! I just scrolled down and saw that you are running an external wg, lol. In that case, I would say go for it. the dp will still be a tight fit, but you can make it work. Maybe someone trying to run internal will stumble on this post and find it helpful. If you have any questions, just let me know, and keep us up to date on the project.