Should I run the stock Turbo Manifold or my XS Power Manifold?

[SpdElemts]

Hey guys, I am in a little dilemma. At the moment im moving all my parts over to a shell from my track car and i have a XS Power equal length manifold laying in my garage. Its been used on my engine for about a year before the engine was sold to me and has no cracks. I ran the stock manifold last season with more then a dozen track events and the motor ran great with it (just wish i had more torque and less turbo lag). Well My question is what do you guys recommend me doing? Swap out the stock manifold for the XS power one before i drop the motor into the new shell? Or keep the stock one in there. The problem is im a little scared that i might not like the feel of motor after the manifold swap. Or who knows i might like it. I am also going to a two day event at bottonwillow on the 21th and the 22nd. SO i am also worried about the manifold cracking on me out there if i do switch to the XS power. Do you guys think its worth the extra benefits of a equal length manifold? By the way who actually felt a difference with a equal length manifold?

ps....here is what the motor has if it helps any. Its a CA18DET w/ Full 3inch turbo back, sr t25, FMIC, and other small stuff.

[steve shadows]

the equal length in the case vs. stock will not help lag it wll hinder it in low end.

[Z U L8R]

i'm running xs power manifold, that's bout the only thing i'm still using from the manifold/turbo/wastegate kit that came with my rb25 lol

[fliprayzin240sx]

You already have it, might as well use it. To save it from eventual cracking, use stiff engine mounts (Cusco/Kazama) and add a flex pipe on the DP to relieve stress on the manifold.

[liv2drift045]

on my ca it didnt help spool much... and it sounded like crap to me (thin walls), but is should flow better.. its all up to you really... I agree with what flip said, you already got it.. use it

[Flybert]

Unless you have a custom downpipe and exhaust that sits really high and clears the ground by a lot as well as stiff motor mounts and exhaust hangers, I wouldn't use the XS.

If you do have all that stuff, do it for the sound. Stainless manifolds resonate more and give it a meaner sound. You won't notice much of a power gain.

[!Zar!]

I find it pointless running the XS manifold.

I suggest selling it and using the stock manifold.

People complain way too much about a manifold and how it cracks. If it does it does, if not, whatever.

[opponheimer]

Just run the stock, I freaking hate those manifolds, Ive been back in forth so many times, I just am happier with the stock manifold.

[DOOK]

diddo, unless you buy a nice aftermarket manifold the cast stock ones are better.

[opponheimer]

Hell I even welded an external WG flange on my stock manifold.. I'm running big turbo setup on the dang thing I love it so much.