Red Devil mkII - The Journey Continues

[seangti]

I have a spare set of nordlocks at home that will help you. They are I.D 8.7mm for 8mm bolts. PM me with your details and i'll post them to you. You need a set of 3 yeah? I'll ask the fitters at work about torqueing them - you have to go a bit over so that when they get over the hump and click into place they settle at the correct value. There's a chart for it but I'm not sure how that works if you use one use stretch bolts like the VW ones.

Don't know if you've looked into it already or not but I just had my K03 exhaust manifold off and the mech. said that the mounting surfaces on both sides of the exhaust manifold and also the turbo were so far from flat it wasn't funny. He went through two belts before evrything was square and reckons that'd be a big reason why they'd not heat uniformally at the flanges and also blow gaskets.

Thanks sam, will PM you. Very interesting comments on the surface quality. It is something I had considered, but overwhelmed with how to rectify. And you're running the factory manifold? I wonder the quality and surface condition of mine... Knowing the time, research and dedication from Anthony and those who've worked on the car, i'm inclined to think this is just a little gremlin that arises, perhaps more pronounced due to track time. It's running very similar gear to Gavin and his has seen plenty of happy lap pace and commuting, and still ok.


39er, thanks for the input. Will start my tyre research shortly. Doesn't like like I'll be hitting wakefield this year. VWNats in March is a sure thing.

[kaanage]

Probably near their life's end, id say. Tyres are too old and the compound and case structure of an '08 tyre is no where near the current tyres. Yoky A050R are about the best there is today. Great grip, right down to the canvas and good life. We find that the A050R's only loose about .6 sec from new to ****ed!

Just gotta pressure them right, setup the car to suit the very stiff side walls and when not in use keep them in a dark place....

The A050R is supposed be an upgrade of the A048R which handles heat cycles better but despite comments I've read of the A048R's going off quickly, mine have held up well over the past 2.5 years of use (about 10 events). In fact, in the last 3 track events, I've set 2 PB's and almost set another PB in the 3rd (which I was trying NOT to do since this was a regularity event).

I'd be more concerned about the possibility of the older tyres delaminating as the rubber hardens and loses its bond to the casing - I had 2 old stock A048Rs fail on me before I bought my current set of fresh stock tyres.

[sambb]

Yeah mine is just the stock factory manifold for the K03s.

[39erman]

The A050R is supposed be an upgrade of the A048R which handles heat cycles better but despite comments I've read of the A048R's going off quickly, mine have held up well over the past 2.5 years of use (about 10 events). In fact, in the last 3 track events, I've set 2 PB's and almost set another PB in the 3rd .

Sorry to shoot you down but your dreaming if you think the A048R's were ever any good. I ran them for 3 years in IPRA and hated them. They were only ever any good when green and they would loose around 2 to 3 secs a lap from green to their 2nd or 3rd run. Sure, they never wore out but they hated multi heat cycles. To be competetive we had to put 2 new tyres on the load side every meeting, where as the well heeled replaced a set every meeting, sometimes even 2 sets over the weekend.

The A050R's are simply astonishing in their grip and life and multiple multiple heat cycles dont bother them. Which is why 2nd hand A05R's are very hard to come by as the well heeled racer doesn't need to change them every meeting....

Try them, you'll never go back. Plus get an instant second or two faster lap timer BEFORE you start to play with your setup. Plus, in Regularity trials you drive to a time, not drive to set a time....

[Stuwey]

Thoughts on turbo bolts.

ARP, best fastner brand I can think of?
Caterpillar, 99% of the off road racers built their cars out of these as they are tough-as?
Do what the IP boys do and plain weld the turbo on!

[kaanage]

Plus, in Regularity trials you drive to a time, not drive to set a time....

No kidding - that's why I posted I was trying NOT to post a PB but the tyres let me get real close anyway. :p

I probably will try A050R's next time around but since I'm learning, I went the cheaper option since they were on special. I was expecting them to slow dramatically from posts that I'd read (like yours) but I was just pointing out my own experience where at worst, the have a stable plateau (which may be a fair bit worse than when they're at their best)

[seangti]

Thoughts on turbo bolts.

ARP, best fastner brand I can think of?
Caterpillar, 99% of the off road racers built their cars out of these as they are tough-as?
Do what the IP boys do and plain weld the turbo on!

Not sure yet, just spoke with one of the fella's at NA Autosport, they've ordered new studs and gasket. No idea what eact gear yet as the fellow I spoke with isn't the one working on the car. Will know more and share in the next few days.


All good info on the tyres. I have seen the A048R's for mid $200 a corner in 17... but if they fall away aggressively than it won't suit my purpose. I'd sacrifice some out right grip for consistency over the life of the tyre/season.

[Eddy]

Thoughts on turbo bolts.

ARP, best fastner brand I can think of?
Caterpillar, 99% of the off road racers built their cars out of these as they are tough-as?
Do what the IP boys do and plain weld the turbo on!

Hoyhoy.

Stu, & everyone else, I haven't had turbo bolt problems for some time now even with full hard days of tracking.
To start with I didn't weld the turbo on, only welded top plates on the bolts to refrain them from turning.
But like Jmac recently mentioned that along with other mods that I have done, all put together it works fine.
To start with turbo & manifold mounting surfaces all linished, the downpipe surface was shaped like a soup bowl.

Edd's lastest mod. list. - Page 4

To Improve Me Polo. - Page 3

Secondly modified the original turbo to engine block bracket & added an extra one, both of these had upward force placed on them when doing up their bolts.
I'll try to get some pics of these soon.
May be if doing these mods, the bolts don't have to be welded, but I still like the weld.

[seangti]

Thanks Eddy. Just got off the phone from Nick at NA Autosport, they're waiting on a new manifold, apparently the turbo to manifold gasket of an 02 Audi TT will fit, so that's on order (its an aftermarket manifold). The bolts are on the way too. Once it all arrives, they'll check the surfaces are appropriately flat, if not, will address that. They'll also add in the extra bracket that Eddy's referring to to provide additional support to the turbo, and lastly, he's planning to use nord lock washers and probably wire lock the bolts.

No idea what this is going to cost, but should be the last time it happens

Have also asked for a check over of the car for any other track oriented recommendations to ensure reliability.

[seangti]

To Improve Me Polo. - Page 3

Eddy, is that a standard exhaust manifold you're runnng that's been coated?

Update on my car, all the required parts are in, surfaces have been sanded flat, though the ATP manifold has cracked. Gav is sorting me a standard manifold, I'll see if it can been high flowed next week, or whatever is recommended. They found a few other surprises so they'll be addressed to.

I'm hoping to collect the car next friday, to head to Morgan Park on Saturday for a full day of racing on Sunday. This will be quite a test for the car as I haven't completed half a day of driving without an issue, let alone a full day and the 400+km round trip there and back. Baptism of fire... shoudn't mention fire.