Abstract: A two-stage turbocharger system includes an exhaust manifold formed separately from the high-pressure and low-pressure turbine housings. The exhaust manifold defines a bypass passage, and a bypass valve is disposed in the bypass passage for opening and closing the passage. The exhaust manifold also defines an inter-turbine passage. The turbine housings of the high-pressure and low-pressure turbochargers are releasably connected to the exhaust manifold such that exhaust gas received into the exhaust manifold bypasses the high-pressure turbine and flows through the bypass passage to the low-pressure turbine when the bypass valve is in the open position, and the exhaust gas flows through the high-pressure turbine and then through the inter-turbine passage to the low-pressure turbine when the bypass valve is in the closed position.