Downpipe clamp fitting
Turbo Mini Forums

Hello chaps,

Been out messing with the exhaust today, got the back box hung ok and now need to connect the down pipe to the turbo. There just seems to be no room to get hands in there… I have the modded clamp that Steve sent me with the engine but finding it real difficult to find room.

Is there a knack to this, should I do it from underneath or above? Ive tried both but really struggling from both approaches. I had a wee search, found plenty of threads on downpipes but none answering what I'm trying to find.

Any thoughts? Cheers… Dave.

I have a locktab from the gearbox on the back of the bolts which i have at the side of the block. The locktabs remove the need to get a spanner on both ends. My clamp is rotated slightly off to allow a small 1/4" ratchet and shallow socket to tighten. All done from top.

Yeah the clamp I have has been modded so that only one spanner or ratchet is needed... Just seems incredibly tight in there... Did u apply exhaust paste on the join too, can't see that being easy!!

I put a bit on the downpipe before fitting and then a bit inside the clamp as well.

you need to be patient dave and fit it as its marked up for you ..............fit the clamp and tighten up

No paste needed,
i would use a jack to position the exaust into place first tighten the clamp and then fit the bottom support bracket near the drive shaft ........... small hands are a bonus with this .............. if you have hands like an orangutang leave it to some one who hasent ...............lol

Edited by BENROSS on 21st Jul, 2015.

Lol my hands aren't that big! I did see the markings, had it the right way up.. It's just the lack of space that made me throw the towel in on it today! I'll try again tomorrow with a fresh head...

I had more room on the A35 than on a Mini, but to make it easier to fit I tack welded the bolt heads to one side of the clamp.

both my 1/4" ratchets with shallow 1/2" socket fit. I usually fit the clamp before I refit the servo so maybe its giving me a little more room to get at it, but in honesty, it goes on pretty quickly

So this is the clamp…



Both studs tacked one side for easy fitment… note Steve's bold instructions.. can't get that one wrong!



So managed to get it in place today, went in easier with a fresh head on my shoulders… spent most of yesterday under the car sorting exhaust back box and fuel lines so I guess I was just losing patience trying to get the clamp in place…



Is this the position you had it in Rob? I can get a half inch spanner in there now and give it very small turns at a time…



Sorry couldn't rotate the bottom two pics, you'll have to look at the screen upside down lol…

Dave.

I think I had it rotated a little more clockwise but yes, similar position; pretty much moved it about so I could get the ratchet on

Ok cool… I think if I went anymore clockwise I'd struggle to get a socket over the nut for the ratchet.

Another quick question… what have you guys done about securing the down pipe to the back of the gearbox? I spoke to a guy at minispares and he said its not possible to buy that size clamp. I was thinking about an exhaust U clamp with a made up strip of metal somehow connecting the clamp to a nut on the gearbox?

Edited by evad1980 on 22nd Jul, 2015.

exhaust clamp with strip of steel with 3 holes; 2 on the clamp and the 3rd going onto one of the diff cover bolts; you'd probably get away with a simply connecting strip with 2 holes if that makes sense

Yup, certainly does! Thats pretty much what I had in mind!

Nice one Rob!

dave what i can see of the install is FABOLA! can you show us your handy work in more depth please! ............ sometimes a fresh head and a rejuvenated body the next day Does make the diffrence