Author Topic: 16v abf 4-2-1 manifold question? and few others lol  (Read 5861 times)

Offline dragongreengolfgti

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First off ive used the search option with no great answers  :grin: so anyway i'm looking to buy a 4 branch manifold for my car and was wondering if anyone knows a good place to get one other than ebay or will the ones on there be any good? they seem to be rated and look like genuinely good items  :smiley: any links would be good.

Before you say it will not be worth it without other mods i have enough to make it worth while im sure. I am also thinking a remap/chip after the new exhaust systems goes on is more beneficial than before as the map can be set to the modifications yes? Apparently when i bought the car it already had a chip installed (not sure tbh) but if it has should i 1) reinstall standard chip first ? 2) can it be programed again ? cheers for the help once again  :smiley:

Offline thai-wronghorse

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Re: 16v abf 4-2-1 manifold question? and few others lol
« Reply #1 on: 25 May 2011, 23:21 »
Two things to look out for when buying these is that it's a RHD version and not the LHD one that is most commonly found on eBay AND you want to be buying one with a built in flexi joint on the lower section or you'll end up with a cracked manifold or broken studs in no time.

Offline dragongreengolfgti

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Re: 16v abf 4-2-1 manifold question? and few others lol
« Reply #2 on: 25 May 2011, 23:32 »
Two things to look out for when buying these is that it's a RHD version and not the LHD one that is most commonly found on eBay AND you want to be buying one with a built in flexi joint on the lower section or you'll end up with a cracked manifold or broken studs in no time.

Cheers mate i'l make sure i find a RHD one didn't know you could get different ones lol and as you mention the flexi joint, Its fine as my exhaust im putting on has a flexi decat system straight through no mid box etc made by powerflow off my mates old supercharged vr6 which made its way onto my old 8v gti for the whole of 2 days till ice decided to decease it  :sad: should flow very well on a 16v im guesing  :smiley:

Offline Wayne

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Re: 16v abf 4-2-1 manifold question? and few others lol
« Reply #3 on: 25 May 2011, 23:41 »
Little or no point in fitting one.

Glen (ess-three) has a standard manifold and is close to 200bhp.

Offline thai-wronghorse

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Re: 16v abf 4-2-1 manifold question? and few others lol
« Reply #4 on: 25 May 2011, 23:44 »

First off ive used the search option with no great answers  :grin: so anyway i'm looking to buy a 4 branch manifold for my car and was wondering if anyone knows a good place to get one other than ebay or will the ones on there be any good? they seem to be rated and look like genuinely good items  :smiley: any links would be good.

Before you say it will not be worth it without other mods i have enough to make it worth while im sure. I am also thinking a remap/chip after the new exhaust systems goes on is more beneficial than before as the map can be set to the modifications yes? Apparently when i bought the car it already had a chip installed (not sure tbh) but if it has should i 1) reinstall standard chip first ? 2) can it be programed again ? cheers for the help once again  :smiley:

What sort of power figures are we talking about here?

Offline dragongreengolfgti

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Re: 16v abf 4-2-1 manifold question? and few others lol
« Reply #5 on: 25 May 2011, 23:55 »
Little or no point in fitting one.

Glen (ess-three) has a standard manifold and is close to 200bhp.

hmmm i believe i will have to see if he will have a chat about what exactly hes done and best ways to achieve that sort of figure  :smiley:


First off ive used the search option with no great answers  :grin: so anyway i'm looking to buy a 4 branch manifold for my car and was wondering if anyone knows a good place to get one other than ebay or will the ones on there be any good? they seem to be rated and look like genuinely good items  :smiley: any links would be good.

Before you say it will not be worth it without other mods i have enough to make it worth while im sure. I am also thinking a remap/chip after the new exhaust systems goes on is more beneficial than before as the map can be set to the modifications yes? Apparently when i bought the car it already had a chip installed (not sure tbh) but if it has should i 1) reinstall standard chip first ? 2) can it be programed again ? cheers for the help once again  :smiley:

What sort of power figures are we talking about here?

Well tbh honest i dont know what to achieve as its my first abf which im willing to spend time and money on as it stands i'd say its close to 165ish would be nice to achieve say 180ish with good torque also and reliability which im sure is more than achievable as ess-three has shown i just need to know how lol I dont know much about these engines really as i was after a vr6 initially but decided on this as its got fsh and very solid underneath  :smiley: Eventually over the winter it will under go a zr1 charger kit or similar but for now i'd like good n/a power  :wink:

Offline Wayne

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Re: 16v abf 4-2-1 manifold question? and few others lol
« Reply #6 on: 25 May 2011, 23:58 »
Little or no point in fitting one.

Glen (ess-three) has a standard manifold and is close to 200bhp.

hmmm i believe i will have to see if he will have a chat about what exactly hes done and best ways to achieve that sort of figure  :smiley:


Years and years of work and lots of money to get results, drop him a pm, he is a real nice guy and I am sure he will help you.

Getting power out of an ABF is not cheap or easy, to see 180bhp will be expensive.

Offline dragongreengolfgti

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Re: 16v abf 4-2-1 manifold question? and few others lol
« Reply #7 on: 26 May 2011, 00:08 »
Little or no point in fitting one.

Glen (ess-three) has a standard manifold and is close to 200bhp.

hmmm i believe i will have to see if he will have a chat about what exactly hes done and best ways to achieve that sort of figure  :smiley:


Years and years of work and lots of money to get results, drop him a pm, he is a real nice guy and I am sure he will help you.

Getting power out of an ABF is not cheap or easy, to see 180bhp will be expensive.

Cheers wayne i think im starting to see the reality of it all reading about it i just cant understand why lol 2.0ltr engines are usually the best for tuning in a variety of cars. Granted mainly turbo's or charged i know and its looking more simply that route rather than trying to push it with add ons for silly money im happy with the performance for everyday going to work driving im mostly curious really as i can get alot of parts cheap or free knowing certain people in the trades. Also having an exhaust already was just contemplating getting a 4 branch for extra if any horses  :smiley:

Offline Khare

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Re: 16v abf 4-2-1 manifold question? and few others lol
« Reply #8 on: 26 May 2011, 00:12 »
I've not done it myself, but having had lengthy chats with Glen, power from an ABF doesn't come cheap. You're looking at thousands to crack the 200hp barrier.

How did you figure yours has 165hp? If it's standard you'll be looking at around 150-155 max. To give you an idea on power figures, a worked head with a decent intake setup and a worked TB will see you about 170hp. Cams will add about 10hp depending on which ones you go for. You'll want to have a good fuel map made for your setup, so you're looking at a custom map too.

You'll be looking at about £1500 at least just for 185ish hp. After that it's all about throttle bodies, serious headwork and wild cams which will cost you well over £2000 for the lot. Only then you'll barely graze 200hp. Glen's made 200hp but on a setup that wasn't drivable in the road. I think he's currently at 195hp with a setup for the road. I think he's looking at MS and at a 8 injector ITB setup with some crazy cams that will crack the 200hp easily, however as a road car it'll be almost impossible to live with.

Power doesn't come cheap sadly, it's not like you can stick a £20 ebay flux capacitor that adds instant 45hp  :grin:

And you're talking about a supercharger too. That'll double the cost of modifying with the charger itself, pipework, manufacturing costs, engine internals, engine management, etc.

You're spending a hell of a lot of money. If money was no issue then great do it! But if it was me I'd rather buy something faster from factory or look at possibly dropping a 1.8T in there. Remap, some exhaust work and a few other bits and bobs (all under £1000) and you'll be around the same power as you would be with a very heavily modified ABF, at a fraction of the cost.

Offline dragongreengolfgti

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Re: 16v abf 4-2-1 manifold question? and few others lol
« Reply #9 on: 26 May 2011, 19:40 »
Point taken khare as i read more i dont see the point i will put my exhaust on and thats all im going to do i think. I have other things my money could be spent on i'l go on holiday instead  :grin: its good enough for what it is so im ditching all my plans cheers guys  :smiley: