The turbo and manifold arrived today! 168 days, 17 hours and 35 minutes after I was told I should expect it by....... but I'll spare us both that saga.

Moving on: the manifold is one seriously nice piece of work, although I will have to get the head flange decked (boo hoo - there I'm over it already :P). The manifold bolts on with heaps of clearance, but I need to trim some of the radiator support away so I can mount the turbo. I also need the wastegate now as it looks like clearance between it and the alternator could be a bit snug (or worse). Pics to come this weekend

I had planned on running a pedal assembly such as these since day dot, but the when I queried the transport department engineer (the guy who has to approve my modifications before I can register the car) during the car's first inspection he advised that if the car came with a booster then it's best to retain it. Since I want as smooth a firewall as possible that meant I had to look into some kind of under-dash setup, and look into it I did. At the end of the day though, it was just too much messing around with too many linkages etc to retain something I both: A. did not want, and B. should not need - neither physically nor legally - so to hell with the booster!

I've already held them in place and it looks like they should work but I first have to get the three master cylinders before I will know for sure.
Therefore: to be continued

Boy am I stoked. These rear wheel hubs had been on my to-do list for 4 years (!) until an extremely helpful board member was able to convert my sketches into a CAD file. If you're reading this Steph - I love you, lol

I submitted the drawing to a local machine shop and two weeks later picked a pair of these up:

I'm still waiting on my manifold and turbo. This package that arrived from the Netherlands today helped lift my spirits though. :o)

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: it's going to be a llllooonnnnggg month. I ordered the turbo and manifold today:

• Turbo: Garrett GT2860RS with TiAL stainless 0.86 A/R turbine housing
• Manifold: Lovefab 'Mini Me AC'

I have been toing and froing between the GT2860RS (a.k.a. the 'Disco Potato') and the GT2871R but, at the last minute, ended up going for the slightly smaller 2860 because of it's reputation for quick and progressive spool up. My initial aim has always been for 300hp atw which, while being toward the top end of the turbo's capabilities, is a number I'm very confident I'll hit.

The manifold was chosen because it's the only one I have come across that looks like it might fit - there's not really much more to it than that. The guys at Lovefab were very helpful and said they'd do what they could to keep everything as compact as possible.

It will all take about a month to be ordered/fabricated/shipped. Is it February yet?

Update Feb 17, 2010: Why yes it is February! No the manifold hasn't arrived yet :(

Update Apr 28, 2010: Manifold *should* finally be getting shipped tomorrow, but I'll only believe that when I see the tracking number... and maybe not even then - haha!