666 Turbo Manifold (other tubular options?)

[Jantz2002]

I am trying my best to get my hands on a high quality tubular top mount turbo manifold for my 1987 535is turbo build (I want to keep my A/C). As I understand it the 666 or "Triple Six" manifolds were very good but no longer made. On the M30 forced induction page on FB I saw a guy by the name of Jim G. post that he purchased the original Jig for the 666 manifolds and takes orders for them with a 6 week turn around, he also mentioned that they should clear factory A/C lines (this was posted about 6 months ago). Has anyone talked to him or knows if he is on this forum? I have the cash ready to go just need to find one. I know Rapidspool also makes tubular manifolds. Might have to go with them.

TIA for any responses, wisdom, guidance etc.

[euroshark90]

Check out PPF. They have a great mild steel or stainless tubular manifold. You can order in t3 or t4

[iamcreepingdeath]

I'm gonna jump in here because I am looking for the same thing.

The TCD one is stinking $700 for a hunk of cast iron!! So that's a hard pass for me.

From the post above, I found the PPF one at $734, and that is for the non-stainless option: http://server.pure-pf.com/webshop2/en/m ... ifold.html

Also, there are several on Ebay, here is one from Finland at around $600: https://www.ebay.com/itm/313239676470?s ... 1438.l2649

Here is one at rapidspool industries for $500: http://www.rapidspoolindustries.com/51- ... rbo-flange

And so far the cheapest options I have found are these two:

From Redline center at $300: https://www.redlinecenter.com/en/store/ ... o-manifold

And Aliexpress at $290: https://www.aliexpress.com/i/4000965463557.html

So... Why the huge price gap? Are the aliexpress and Redline ones really that much poorer quality? What makes the PFF one so expensive?

The overarching question I have is why the heck are M30 turbo headers so hard to find compared to M20 and M50 headers? I thought M30 motors were the best for turbocharging.

[Jantz2002]

I appreciate the feedback. I am working with a shop that produces hand made manifolds for m20 m50 etc. The owner has an e28 himself and is building a high quality manifold for me that is intended for use on the e28 chassis. My understanding is this manifold will be the first one but he is building the jig and will make it an option on his website for future orders. I will post the results here if all goes well.

[iamcreepingdeath]

I appreciate the feedback. I am working with a shop that produces hand made manifolds for m20 m50 etc. The owner has an e28 himself and is building a high quality manifold for me that is intended for use on the e28 chassis. My understanding is this manifold will be the first one but he is building the jig and will make it an option on his website for future orders. I will post the results here if all goes well.

Yes PLEASE do. Also, might you be offering a "weld it yourself" kit for the turbo manifold? That would be very cool for the more handy cheapskates among us...

[iamcreepingdeath]

Bumping this thread, as it seems things have gotten even worse in the M30 turbo manifold department, as TCD is now closing its doors, and the tubular manifold on ebay just went from $400 to $700: https://www.ebay.com/itm/333549358427?s ... 1438.l2649

It still baffles me that you can find M20 and M50 turbsky manifolds all day long for like $300, but inexplicably, the M30 gets no love.

[Badger]

I may be selling a good & tight tubular manifold in the near future and turbo parts, engine ect . . .

[turbodan]

I'm gonna jump in here because I am looking for the same thing.

The TCD one is stinking $700 for a hunk of cast iron!! So that's a hard pass for me.

Do you have any idea what it costs to produce any given quantity of cast iron manifolds? How about a quality tubular manifold?

You want decent parts for Aliexpress prices? Are you serious?

[iamcreepingdeath]

I'm gonna jump in here because I am looking for the same thing.

The TCD one is stinking $700 for a hunk of cast iron!! So that's a hard pass for me.

Do you have any idea what it costs to produce any given quantity of cast iron manifolds? How about a quality tubular manifold?

You want decent parts for Aliexpress prices? Are you serious?

Oh I definitely understand the costs to manufacture things, it is entirely dependent on volume of production, and has hardly any bearing on the actual part itself (comparatively). For someone to tool up and produce one cast manifold would cost tens of thousands, for example, but to produce tens of thousands of manifolds, each one may cost $50.

I also understand basic economics, and if people are buying cast manifolds for $700, then they are absolutely worth every penny of that. However, I would still love to get my hands on a tubular manifold for more along the lines of $400, and theoretically that should be possible, given sufficient production volume. For example, tubular manifolds for much more popular turbo applications like Hondas etc are far cheaper, entirely because of volume of production, and supply and demand. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem the case for M30 turbo manifolds.

So yes, I absolutely want decent parts for Aliexpress prices!

[Dirtym30]

Mint performance makes one but it’s $$$.

I will be keeping an eye on this post because I’m also in search of a high quality manifold.

It’s likely I will go with mint performance but I’m open to the guy with the 666 fab jig if he is on here.

[Nebraska_e28]

I have a NEW never used 666 manifold for the m30 that I've been sitting on for quite some time. It may be had from my hands for the right price if anyone is interested. Keep in mind what these cost new.