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Been looking into turbo support. And from what I gather the typical solid frame and engine mounts can do more harm than good by not allowing any movement. Not a nig deal when using super strong/thick OEM manifolds for me in the past. But this is my first time using thin china SS manifolds. I don't want them to crack if possible.
From what I've read, the "correct" way to support a turbo is to use a hangar style support with rod ends that allow movement from every angle. Like so...
This isn't an option for me as the turbos are WAY out in front of the engine. And I'm not building 2 bulky ugly crane like structures to support them. I was thinking a single solid steel bar mounted to the frame rail and up to a central "balanced point on the turbo would at least allow a 360* range of movement on a single plane while supporting the "falling weight" of the turbo decently at the same time. Not perfect, but better than a solid mount maybe?
Looks like a 14" long 1/4" solid rod (or even an 1/8th) will easily support 30lbs and still be able to deflect a healthy amount. I believe the 78/75s are 26lbs. I haven't weighed mine yet. But I want to go small enough on the rod that it has a lot of movement I'm thinking?
Something like this maybe? it would support the weight but you could basically pull it back and let go and it would bounce all around like it was on a spring.
Also if I use thin enough rod that it is slightly compressed by the weight of the turbo, but not buckling... it would allow some up/down movement as well. Exaggerated in the pic but that's the idea anyway.
Any other ideas?
This is what I'm working with and trying to support.
Last edited by Forcefed86; Dec 31, 2020 at 10:34 AM.
Fwiw I have a friend that has run twins (twin 78/75) for 4 years now and just hung them off the headers with no problems .... but I get it I will probably support mine also to avoid issues
Fwiw I have a friend that has run twins (twin 78/75) for 4 years now and just hung them off the headers with no problems .... but I get it I will probably support mine also to avoid issues
Appreciate the input. That's great news! The same exact manifolds? Does he have the heavy Vband T4 cast adapters and WG's hung off them as well?
Friends with similar headers here have all had cracking issues within a year with them. All single setups and braced (solid braced) maybe the brace is what is doing the damage. I'd be thrilled if I Got 4 years out of them. For a $140 header I could just replace them after that if they lasted that long. I'm coming from using OEM manifolds on all my stuff and never having any kind of hotside issue.
He bought cheap stainless eBay elbows and put the wastegates in the bend... the pipe for the wastegate.cracked but it was how it was welded to the elbow not the elbow it’s self. They are the holley flow tech headers. I just bought a set also and am switching from big single to twin s366. I had nothing but issues with mid pipes not going back together cracking etc. we will see how this twin setup works out. I have to say the holley headers seem extremely nice for $188.
Probably way too much work, but what about putting slip connectors in each header and then solid mounting to the engine? Not sure if that would add enough flex in the headers?
What directions are you expecting the header to expand in? I can imagine they will grow ‘longer’ but are the expecting the turbo to move laterally as well?
Going on two years with those manifolds with larger turbos hung off of them, zero issues. I've hung turbos a foot further out than your current ones on the china manifolds without the elbow and just used a piece of flat stock from the head to the turbo flange to support them, again zero issues. I slapped a 70lb GTX55 on the china manifold with no bracing, it didnt care at all. I think people really over think this stuff, especially for a setup your not going to keep together for 10 years.
Going on two years with those manifolds with larger turbos hung off of them, zero issues. I've hung turbos a foot further out than your current ones on the china manifolds without the elbow and just used a piece of flat stock from the head to the turbo flange to support them, again zero issues. I slapped a 70lb GTX55 on the china manifold with no bracing, it didnt care at all. I think people really over think this stuff, especially for a setup your not going to keep together for 10 years.
At the rate he works, I'd give it less than 10 months!
Yes, started using them a few years ago and like to use them when I can. They are solid, even if only able to support one side with 1" tube they hold up a GTX55 just fine.
I don't see how those allow for 360* movement for expansion/contraction.
The reason I'm paranoid is I've worked with about 4 cars with the down and FWD manifolds like these and every one of them has cracked within a year. Mine are the shorter version. Maybe it won't be as much of an issue. Who knows...
I don't see how those allow for 360* movement for expansion/contraction.
The reason I'm paranoid is I've worked with about 4 cars with the down and FWD manifolds like these and every one of them has cracked within a year. Mine are the shorter version. Maybe it won't be as much of an issue. Who knows...
The maven mounts do not allow for anything other than an easy to fab rigid mount. You either use a slip joint or a flex bellows from manifold to merge to allow for movement.
Where did they crack, all in similar place? Anything that will take more than 17 seconds with a welder to fix? What turbo where they supporting? I've hung a pair of S300's and 7875's off mine without issue. The shorter manifolds I've hung an S480, GTX55, you name it.
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Building a Turbo support correctly? 
