Clicking in engine bay, random hose questions

Today Mike and I were just fuckin around with his car and while it was running, we could hear a clicking noise. Mike asked what it was and my first thought was lifter tick. I put my ear over the valve cover and the tick wasnt coming from there, so I got a little confused and went to looking for the noise. It was dark as hell and he had no flashlight so I wasnt exactly sure where it was coming from. It sounded like it was coming from something on one of the belts, the pulley for it was on the front side of the engine and it was the top pulley (91 TSI AWD). What could that ticking be?

Also, where is the BCS? Is it that little hose going into the side of the MAF? Theres a hose going from the UIPC to what looked to be the wastegate (it was dark, couldnt tell). What is that for? Where will the hose to split for the MBC? Where is the best place for the boost guage to go? Thanks guys I appreciate it.

I had that same ticking noise and I started to tear into my engine and it turned out my exhaust manifold was warped and i had a nasty exhaust leak from cylinder #1 which is right by the belts

Yeah we noticed that we could smell exhaust in the front of the car and that his turbo doesnt spool quite like it should (14b, full boost around 3500-3800). Thanks man, we'll get the heat shield off and check it out.

yep, thats exactly the same thing that happened to me

Ok, well we decided to get a new manifold. It was on our to do list anyway, we just decided to get one now instead of waiting. So now the question is this: which is better, a new cast manifold, 2g manifold, or tubular manifold? I know the 2g's are less prone to cracking, so should we just buy a new cast manifold or a used 2g? I know the tubular manifolds arent that big of a deal, but we do have plans for a 20g or SBR 50 trim in the future, would the tubular manifold have any significant difference over a cast manifold. Right now the plan is to get a new cast manifold and port it, sound good? Thanks again guys.

I wouldn't buy the manifold unless I knew I needed it. The 2g manifold is a big improvement over the 1g, and good for the money. The flange has to be ground a bit. Some port, and some tap for an egt. Kevin doesn't believe in the egt. But, porting is free, why not at least take the step off. I know the 20g mates to a 2g manifold. 50trims made for a DSM should bolt up, too.

If you're flowing enough the extra money it would cost to get a tubular manifold could be cost effective, but I don't think you're at that point. Get a second opinion, though.

Belts rubbing/hitting make a unique sound, you'd probably know what you were hearing. Sound is also hard to pinpoint in an engine bay. My dad used to take a stethoscope to the engine to figure out sounds. I'm not sure that's effective, or maybe my dad has "leet" stethoscope skills because he's a doctor. My money, just on the odds, is that it's probably lifter tick. I'd go see an experienced DSM'er, and ask them.

You can see your BCS here: http://www.plymouthlaser.com/bcs.htm.

There are a few good gauge and MBC installation vfaqs on the above site and vfaq.com.