Center Main Straps
Turbo Mini Forums

I have a concern regading the supply and use of some center main straps.

The concern is not with the strap, but how it is bolted up.

I have seen two similar situations with in the last week. The problem I see is that, under the bolt head there is a washer. Not a hardened washer, just a plain mild steel washer!

The straps themselves look overly large also, compared to the ones I've seen.

Are these washers supplied with these straps, and who has actualy used them?

The concern was not only mine, but also that of the engineering shop that was doing the work.

Or am i just being paranoid

Edited by Sprocket on 15th Jan, 2008.

i use hardened washers , and my straps are 25mmx25mm ms bar.

milt steel washer= waste if time and effort,


carl

WWW.FORCE-RACING.CO.UK PLEASE CLICK HERE

I don't use washers unless they are known 10 grade or higher - far better to leave the washers off and put a bit of ARP lube under the head of the bolt to reduce friction against surface, something I do with or without washers, over 30% of a bolts applied torque is lost in friction in the thread and on the underside of the head face - I always ensure the bolt hole in the strap is generously chamfered to clear the rad on the underside of the bolt head/shank interface - inch*inch is common for straps sizes

mild steel washers will at best hold the torque applied - at worst they will yield - leaving the bolt free to come loose -eek!

JK

If Carling made Mini engines
it would probably be like this one!

My thoughts exactly. hmm

I bought the minispares four bolt cap and it came with mild steel washers, first thing I did was bin thise and used new standard bolts, I just dont like the bolts supplied with these either. 998 for the short ones and 1275 for the longer ones. I intend to fit either the Swiftune or ARP studs however. Cap heads are a nigtare to find the right length

Edited by Sprocket on 15th Jan, 2008.

use the minispares centre main strap supplied with bolts and no washers
around £9 more than up to the job

Ditch the washers, and Steve looks like MS have put there prices up:

http://www.turbominis.co.uk/forums/index.php?p=vt&tid=118307

yes they have rob ...... i will have to have words .......lol

My MS centra main strap has just been delivered - its more than up to the job IMHO and no washers.

It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt... Then it's hilarious!

i noticed last year that MS stopped there 4 bolt mains, they also used to do a kit of 3 steel caps inc a 4 bolt mains

stopped because its not a worthwhile mod?

may be so wolfie, i bet they were not selling many

Best 1/4 mile 13.2 seconds @116 mph
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on a carb?
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on Injection?

http://www.mattwoodsphotography.com

I heard some miglias don't even bother with the straps?

well TBH Dave i only fitted a strap as "its what your meant to do" How can you test such a thing, it might be one of them things that doesn't really do much!

Best 1/4 mile 13.2 seconds @116 mph
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on a carb?
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on Injection?

http://www.mattwoodsphotography.com

^^^^^ Ditto Above.

I know Cantello ran without one in his turbo - or at least there wasn't one when it was pulled apart by the new owner...

Bodgie bodge?

TBH Dave we do a lot of things we don't have to i believe we find this out more and more, It wasn't to long ago when it was "improssible" lol to get 200 bhp now there are lots about.

Best 1/4 mile 13.2 seconds @116 mph
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on a carb?
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on Injection?

http://www.mattwoodsphotography.com

It is by no means an exact science, so we do things that in theory help produce power or help engine longevity. Whether these things work who knows, but for the low cost surely it is worth trying?

For sure If nothing else it's piece of mind, even if it does nothing lol.

Best 1/4 mile 13.2 seconds @116 mph
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on a carb?
First 5 port miniturbo to make over 200 bhp on Injection?

http://www.mattwoodsphotography.com

It was the Minispares straps I was reffering to. These are some what slimmer than the ones i saw this week.

Although it does help if you use the correct main cap for the block and machine it flat to start with.

Or was it one of these http://www.theminiforum.co.uk/forums/index...ndpost&p=174621

LMFAO

Black & Decker comes to mind

Edited by Sprocket on 16th Jan, 2008.

ffs, what a tit.

thats almost as good as royalingham's advice on MF to turn your own discs down by jacking the car up, take off the wheel, start the engine, put in 4th and hold an angle grinder to the disc until its the correct size.

BAC

"Turbo's make torque, and torque makes fun"

"did you know you can toast potato waffles?"

WITH AN ANGLE GRINDER!!!!!!!!!! FUCKING HELL......

saw this a few years ago, complete waste of time imo:

http://www.7ent.com/images2/FOR052.JPG

"Turbo's make torque, and torque makes fun"

"did you know you can toast potato waffles?"

Apparently the bolts spaly out, well thats what it says these prevent