Clark Performance Fab 135i
- Thread starter Steven@ClarkPerformanceFab
- Start date
Hey man, really happy for you. That is some great work there. Nothing like working on your own car, you can put infinite time into it to make sure its perfect. I was real happy with my single turbo install, I spent a stupid amount of time making sure it was all just right, so I can imagine how good this thing will be when you're done.
I love my e82, but often miss my DSM. Had a 98 GSX. Car was a blast and a breeze to work on.
Great build thread; keep the updates coming!
Love following this build a Stephens work, looking good bud
Great job in here! Incredible fab work. I really dig the oil drain you created for the AN fitting. Easy and effective.
Former DSM crew here too. 97 GSX was my first car and got me hooked on wrenching.
Former DSM crew here too. 97 GSX was my first car and got me hooked on wrenching.
About to start doing some fab work on the wastegates, dump tubes, oil lines, and downpipe/exhaust!
Just finished the 10 AN return line. Going to cover it with a thermal protection shield to make sure the manifold doesn’t burn it up.
That oil line is wayyyyy to close to the exhaust runner. You should shorten the fitting at the block and extend the line so it rides down the frame rail and over.
I just ordered like $500 of AN lines and fittings. I have plenty of 10AN hose on the way and some 90* fittings. I was going to play with it a bit to get it where I’m happy. I’ll still shield it and the feed line though.
Hardline hardline hardline. Don't do that, you will burn your car down.
Do you have pics of this on the VM/ACF kit? How does that look?
I can't imagine you'd want a hardline due to movement and fatigue. i realize the head, manifold, and turbo are all solidly connected, but even the oem lines are flexible. Maybe it's more for ease of install and removal, but I would stick to flexible line...just not the way it's pictured above.
All of this is still getting mocked up. I think what Payam is talking about is a half hardline down the front of the manifold with a flexible connector between the bottom of the hardline and block. Maybe. I think I’ve seen other setups like that too. What I’ll probably end up doing is using a 45 10an fitting at the turbo drain and routing the line away from the manifold towards the front of the car and then back towards the oil pain and use a 90 10an fitting onto the pan. I was just doing this for a mock up to plan out the final run. I also have 3’ of oil line heat shielding on the way.
Yes, that's how the ACF kit is designed. Long hard line off the turbo down past the manifold towards the OEM cut front oil drain, with a flexible connector (in my case, about 6" of heater hose) with hose clamps linking the two together. That way you get the flexibility needed while retaining a safe hard line near the hot parts.
Thanks AC Fabrication for sending over my waterpipe. This thing fit the manifold perfectly. Also picked up some an oil feed and coolant plugs for the block from him. This thing should be just about done this weekend. My 3” Vibrant resonator also showed up today. Just waiting for the 3” stainless tubing to show up for the downpipe and exhaust now and my 2.5” aluminum tube for the intercooler elbow. So close!!
Thanks! I can for sure tell that my welds are improving from the beginning to now. The positioning to get some of these beads placed takes some creativity and a lot of skill and practice. And my purging/shielding has taken a lot of trial and error to get it right. Especially on areas like the merge collectors and wastegate flanges. But I should be 100% done with the manifold this week. I’m currently welding runners 1, 2, and 3 on the bench and I’m already completely done with 4, 5, and 6 including the wastegate flange and O2 sensor. The wastegate placement took a lot of trial and error for sure. But after putting it in the car and pulling it back out like 6 times I finally got the position correct.
Here is a quick update video on the manifold progress
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Just finished welding the manifold. This thing kicked my ass. Still have a bit of fabrication work before its ready to run. Have to make the wastegate dumps, downpipe, exhaust, and intercooler pipe. But the worst part is all done. Had a bunch of the AN lines and fittings show up too. And the 180 degree thermostat. And I got the coolant plugs and oil feed installed. This thing still needs a lot of work but its just about done.
