SPA Turbo Manifold & Up-Pipe

The new SPA Turbo manifold mounted to the fresh Chevy Orange block.

I always found the 292 exhaust manifold’s 3-bolt flange wasn’t ideal for holding the weight of a turbocharger on an up-pipe. Supporting brackets helped, but the original design and downward angle simply worked against the build during the first build. When researching performance parts for the Chevy Inline 6, you realize quickly that options are limited, especially for high quality exhaust manifolds.

I eventually sourced a specialized manifold from SPA Turbo. Based in Brazil, SPA Turbo has a massive global reputation for producing heavyduty, high performance turbo components for platforms that the mainstream market often ignores. This specific manifold features a robust 4-bolt T3 pattern exhaust outlet and a separate proprietary wastegate flange. A high performance Remflex Intake/Exhaust gasket was used by Island D Automotive Machine for the install.

Adapting the SPA Turbo manifold to the tight confines of the Camaro engine bay.

The design is convenient because the CX Racing Turbocharger and a matching SPA Turbo Wastegate could technically bolt right on. However, in the cramped engine bay of a ‘67 Camaro, the shock tower and engine mounts are completely in the way. While a large truck might have the clearance for a direct mount, this car required a more creative solution.

The manifold was pre-painted black, and a custom up-pipe was crafted to relocate the turbo to a mid-bay position. This provides a much cleaner look and allows for a more central location for the hot side components. The trade-off is that the downpipe will now need to be custom fitted, but the short runipes and familiar orientation should make that a straightforward task.

Mocking up the turbo position. The central placement keeps the heat away from the shock towers. I’ll want to relocate the air filter closer to the grille to bring in a cooler charge.

Pro Tips for Turbo Manifolds

• Check Flange Flatness: Even high-end cast manifolds like those from SPA should be checked with a straight-edge before installation. If it isn’t perfectly flat, you will fight exhaust leaks forever.
• Use Quality Studs: Do not use standard Grade 8 bolts for the turbo-to-manifold connection. Use high-temp Inconel or stainless studs with locking nuts to prevent them from backing out due to heat cycles.
• Support the Weight: Even with the robust 4-bolt T3 flange, the up-pipe and turbo still put stress on the manifold. Fabricating a simple support brace from the engine block to the turbo flange is cheap insurance against cracked welds.