Bolting it all together
 

What do you guys run for bolts and hardware? Like from the manifold to turbo inlet, the bolts that hold the turbo together and important stuff like that. I know anyone can go buy some ---- bolts and run them. But I am talking about long term hard use, hardware ---- has caused DNFs for me before. Are any of you running anything trick?

Randy

Re: Bolting it all together
 

i dont know, i use grade 8 ----, what every that means.

Re: Bolting it all together
 

I've got a few containers of Honda bolts I like to use when I can, otherwise I just use Homeboydepot stuff.

Re: Bolting it all together
 

I don't even run grade 8, cheap local hardware store bolts, nuts, and washers have held without failing with my HF/T3 setup for a year and a half now :6

Re: Bolting it all together
 

Graded bolts are for important stuff like heads, engines, suspension and wheels, you can use crappy grade stuff to bolt a turbo up to the manifold and it should hold up fine, I use home depot nuts/bolts/washers...I think they are graded as 2.

Re: Bolting it all together
 

As a rule we never use anything under Grade 5. Grade 8 for the important stuff or things that will see higer then normal stress.

Re: Bolting it all together
 

good bolts for turbo and all The HOT stuff are very important.

i found the bolts that are shinny or yellowish like honda bolts are generally not appropriate to bolt a turbo, they end up slacking with heat and you most of the times tear the threads off when unscrewing them.
stainless bolts are no better. They are more prone to seize with thermocycling. However they are perfect for non heating applications like the compressor cover and oil drain.


for manif, wastegate, downpipe and turbo, the bolts I prefer are the black ones. it's not always possible (to me) to determine exactly their grade, but my rule of thumb: they're never shiny and always black.
Also, you never use lock washers on hot parts. if anything, only nice, thick, flat washers and i like those to be black too. not shinny.

Re: Bolting it all together
 

I get all stainless steel.

I have an ACE hardware right down the street from my house, they have a HUGE selection of stainless metric stuff :6

Re: Bolting it all together
 

All good stuff. My problem has been looseing of hardware all over the car. Running solid mounts and out on our bumpy tracks I think cause things to loosen up. I guess I have to check them more often. I hate nut and bolting cars at the track because it's cold.

Randy
PS I ordered some nordlock washer which seem pretty trick and I have used them for rotor+hat hardware with good results. http://www.nord-lock.com/default.asp?url=51.16.37

Re: Bolting it all together
 

could try safty wiring everthing it would be a total PITA but should keep you from loosing bolts. or you could try Worth they have some trick mechanicle locking nuts but they were out after going on and off a few times.
Beau