1.8T Big Turbo Exhaust Manifold options?

[Moes]

Good afternoon everyone, so I've been researching T3 turbo manifolds for my 1.8T Big Turbo build and I could only find the following turbo manifold options for the 1.8T longitudinal motor.

ATP with vband wastgate - $400 (ATP website)
ATP Ebay Clone with 2 bolt wastgate - $80-$100
CTS (PSI clone?) with 2 bolt wastgate - $350 (URTuning)
PSI Manifold with 2 bolt wastgate - $400 (PSI Website)

Does anyone have any experience with any of these? I'm leaning towards the CTS since its the cheapest of the non-ebay manifolds but i'm not sure if they are a Chinese knock off of the PSI? Currently PSI or ATP seem to be the only really proven manifolds out there that I can see in this price range.

Let me know if you have any other suggestions or preference over one or the other.
Thanks

[Schmauster]

I don't have any experience on these engines but generally cast manifolds are more durable.

I'm curious about the options too

[Moes]

Ok so I think I answered my own questions, adding this info for anyone else interested..
Currently I show the following T3 flanged turbo manifolds available for the 1.8T longitudinal in the passat B5.5 and A4 B6 (and possibly A4B5 / Passat B5).

Top Mount Cast Iron semi-tubular style
CTA Manifold $350 (URO Tuning) seems like average quality, could possibly be PSI Chinese knockoff but not sure of materials its made out of..NOTE will require additional 90 degree and/or 45 degree oil return connection due to top mount turbo design

PSI Manifold $400 (PSI web site) seems to be the original designer of this top mount semi-tubular style manifold (good quality, no reports of cracks in my limited research) NOTE will require additional 90 degree and/or 45 degree oil return connection due to top mount turbo design

Spa Manifold (SPA website and others) $250 (lowest I found) – seems good quality but one member reported small cracks and questions on the runner design. NOTE will require additional 90 degree and/or 45 degree oil return connection due to top mount turbo design

Rev9 Spa clone (ebay) $150+ - seems to have thicker material on the connection to the head and possibly thicker walls than SPA (Note the top mounting flange to the head needs to be grround down slightly for proper fitment) no reports of cracks, NOTE will require additional 90 degree and/or 45 degree oil return connection due to top mount turbo design

Log Style
ATP – $400+ (various websites) uses only V-band for mounting external wastage no long offer 2 bolt 38mm style, seems like best name brand log style, reports of early manifolds cracking

ATP Clone (Manufacture Godspeed) $90+ has ATP marking on manifold, seems to be same design with 2 bolt 38mm waste gate mounting, no reports of cracking, could have some small casting trails left in manifold that need to be cleaned up if you want max performance, no info on fitment or other issues.

ATP Clone (Manufacture EUSA) $80+ has EUSA marking on manifold, seems to be same design with 2 bolt 38mm waste gate mounting, no reports of cracking, could have some small casting trails left in manifold that need to be cleaned up if you want max performance, no info on fitment or other issues.

Conclusion: the general consensus is best to pay extra for name brand so either PSI or ATP depending on the style manifold you like over ebay clones and possibly Rev9 clone over Spa (based on construction not materials) this is probably debatable since there have been plenty of people on Audizine happy with SPA since they offer a warranty, can’t confirm warranty on Rev9. Also its worth noting that all of the name brand manifolds have been shown to crack at times. I can’t say if this is due to bad treatment or defects in early manufacturing but its seems reasonable that if you can fabricate a support for the turbo to take some of the weight off the manifold this will help reduce the stress cracks seen on most manifolds.

Please feel free to add any comments if you have experience with any of these manifolds.
Thanks

[Stock B6]

Yes, I know this is a necro-bump. It's probably better than starting a whole new thread.

That being said, about half the manifolds Moes listed are no longer available, and many have risen significantly in price. What current options are out there, I keep seeing a bunch of ATP clones and Ebay tubulars. Most name brand companies have dropped out or are asking $400+. Might be an exaggeration but the market is drastically different now.

Share your thoughts on what the best bang-for-the-buck manifolds we have now as options, and which ones to definitely avoid. Thanks, Nick.

[Moes]

Quick update, so i ended up going with the CTS manifold with my GT2871R full frame. Works great so far, required some minor grinding to fit to head head but took 5 mins on grinding wheel , nothing significant. also T3 flange and wastgate flange were machined from CTS very flat, measured with machinist straight edge. I got mine for $275 from KDM tuning on sale. Normally $350. Looks like biggest turbo you can run is 3071r maybe 3076R. I still have a little room for compressor cover to frame rail. I think i remember a guy on a FB group running a GT3076R successfully.

I might try a Eusa side mount with 38mm 2 bolt flange on my next build but looks like the flanges require a once over to confirm flattness. Or just stick with cts again with GT3076.
Thanks