I can see this thread has moved on a bit, so here's some info for you Zach:
- The GTB kits Ryan sells are better because you can swap the turbos on them, so if you got a 1756VK and wanted to upgrade later, you could keep the tubular manifold and exchange the turbo unit.
However, if you just want a 2260 to start off with, which it sounds like you're going to definately want when racing against your mate's car, then a TIG welded 1.6TD manifold and flange would still do the job extremely well for you.
I can get you a pic if you want, but I'm not sure if it'd be as clear as you'd like. There will be pics of this type of job, with detailed pics I'm sure your welder can use, if you do a search over on
www.tdiclub.com . I know I've seen them, so just look and you will find.
FWIW, in engineering terms the tubular manifold is probably better, and they are certainly a lot harder to make than doing TIG welding, but the TIG welded ones have been proven to hold, time after time.
In an ideal world, if you've got the dough, then go for Ryan's kit which is excellent, otherwise try and do a welding job on it, and get it converted to vacuum actuator, and you're good to go.
And I know what you mean about the VAT issue on Ryan's website, I mentioned that too him and he politely acknowledged my complaint, but he says it's clear on the website that VAT is excluded from listed prices, whereas I didn't think it was so clear, as you found as well.