Would getting an aftermarket manifold for the x swap be an improvement? Also getting aftermarket inlet and outlet?

 

An aftermarket mani will help you spool up a bit quicker, and will net you a bit of power. However, when you get tuned, the torque will probably be limited to preserve the SST, and this may minimize the gains you'll get from the mani. I'd say stick with the stock mani for now. I'd say the same thing about the inlet and outlet. I think an X turbo with the generic bolt-ons (intake, FMIC, UICP, LICP, CBE, HFC/test pipe, downpipe) and a tune will bring you close to the safe limit of the SST, and upgrading further won't do much. That is, of course, if you want to keep the SST in the safe range.

 

yeah ive thought about that, although the difference from buying stock vs aftermarket is not much so its like ughh tough choice

 

Aftermarket mani's are $600+ (not cheap megan crap). For a stock turbo your won't see any gains, in fact you LOSE low end torque and spool. The stock manifold is actually an incredibly well designed part, and is good to 500whp (BIG snail range). If you want a bit more, spend the price difference to get the stocker fully ported and/or coated.

 

yeah thats what im gonna do. Im going to port the turbo and manifold and just stick with stock stuff

 

Haha yes, good call. It does kill some early spool. Please disregard my saying otherwise in my post.