So after all the chaos I decided to weld my own manifold - it came out pretty well I'd say. I also welded the wastegate piping and down pipe and will be finishing the exhaust this weekend. But, I just wanted to post pics of the project as a whole... it came out very very nice and I think my attention to detail via powder coating and polishing came to be rewarding.Couple more tiny things to do before I can start it up!