Some of the contributing factors being: -
My Turbo has done more than 140,000 miles.
Exhaust Manifold has several cracks.
Heat Shields are self-destructing.
Desire to 'de-restrict' the turbo exit section.
Reduce under-hood temperatures.
Availability / cost of replacement stock parts.
Would like a more responsive turbo.
My initial thoughts are to replace everything from the cylinder head/exhaust manifold interface through to the 3-bolt flange of the downpipe.
The Turbo [probably a Garrett ball-bearing] should ideally have improved response over stock AND be capable of sustaining the maximum power permitted by the stock (chipped) ECU. I'm figuring that modern insulating coatings will help with response and keep emissions in-check by preserving enough heat in the pipes to allow the main cat to operate efficiently enough to safely eliminate the pre-cat (for track use only
) The exhaust manifold would probably be a compact cast iron design that would allow a wide choice of turbo's to be fitted?
First task will be, to reverse-engineer the stock assembly so I have the 'packaging envelope'; for this I'm hoping to call-in a 3D laser-scanning favour...
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Thoughts?
I know my turbo has a spinning thing inside. 
It looks kinda shiny under the hood. 
why do LEC people have to be SO helpful 
