Hello. I just recently picked up a clean '88 A.E. Done alot and is running pretty good now, but my exhaust actuator is rattling at idle. I have adjusted the actuator rod and makes no difference. Am I going to need to pull the turbo and mani so see what's up? The car has over 140k on it and I think it still may have the original exhaust manifold and turbo... It sounds like the flapper inside the exhaust is loose... Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

You can remove the downpipe and back plate on the turbo (exhaust side). Be sure to get some good light in there when you check the flapper door for play. There should be a little bit of play, but nothing that should make the flapper door "rattle". It isn't necessarily something that you should be TOO concerned about. While you're in there, be sure the movement of the actuator rod is good. It's a bear to move by hand... It's doable, though.

 

Hello. I did end up pulling the S4 turbo and the flapper had a lot of play in it...
I ended up just switching to a complete S5 mani/turbo setup. Nice and quiet now.

Thanks.

 

When comes to the stock the S4 and S5 turbos... The S5 turbo and manifold is definitely the way to go. Good thinking swapping that in. That's what I run on my S4, too. With ported wastegate passages.

 

I wish I had ported my wastegate passages more... I read some people having no issues without porting so I just ported slightly. I get pretty bad boost spike, but no creep.... Maybe need a better boost controller..