So whilst i had the car in bits ive had some bits to attend too.
Mainly turbo related....obviously.
I had managed to snap a turbo mounting bolt and lose another bolt, meaning i had 2 bolts holding the turbo up at one point!
Also means i burnt the gasket it abit so off that all came.
Then i noticed how much smaller the inlet flange was compared to the gasket, measured the manifold and sure enough the turbo flange is a good 2mm minimum smaller width ways and 1.5mm smaller length ways.
This must cause some sort of turbulence to the exhaust gas flow having to take a step (albeit a small one) probably not such a big deal on a turbo engine due to the exhaust manifold being preasurised but flow is flow right?
Well i got myself some carbide bits and got happy with the dremel tool, i decided not too fully match the gasket because the gasket is also larger than the manifold is..
The funky looking shape you see on the top left was like that to start with, that wasnt me lol
So i pulled the meat off the flange and then tapered it back down into the housing. Looks like ive taken loads off down in the housing but i havent...
Wish id got a before picture tbh but nevermind.
The next issue was that intercooler "hotside" piping was touching the exhaust downpipe, so afew minutes with the vice ive ovaled the intercooler pipe and managed to pull it a good bit away from the downpipe.
All bolts replaced with 12.9 bolts and fresh Nord-Lock washers so hopefully i wont get issues with that anymore!