Spent the weekend at Roebling Road, GA. Had an absolute blast (as usual) I love that track and this time was no exception.

Unfortunately, I had an issue again with the bolts (studs) backing out of the turbo and leaving a gap between the converter and turbo thus allowing heat to escape and melt my valvecover.

This is the third time I'm going to replace the valvecover. The first time the nuts backed off. I thought it was just a one time mishap and didn't think much of it. (perhaps the bolts weren't tightened enough)

The second time, I double-nutted the studs and welded a bracket connecting the downpipe to the engine just like the factory.

This weekend, I noticed after a session that the valvecover was starting to melt. It was nothing, just a start.

I took the heatshield off, tightened up the nuts and drove to a parts store. Three hours later in the heat, I managed to replace all three studs and buy "exhaust" nuts (they're crimped on the inside in 3 spots)

I thought all was well and today after the second session, this is what I saw under the hood.





Honestly, I'm not sure why this keeps happening but rather than screw around with it, I'm putting the exhaust back to stock and see if it continues to happen.

There are tons of people on here with an Exhaust Depot converter and no problems. I'm sure it has something to do with tension on it from the rest of the custom exhaust.

On the bright side, Jan's tune KICKS AZZ... I pulled on SO MANY cars this weekend, I was absolutely blown away. Porsches, Mustangs alike saw my taillights this weekend and in the corners, forget it, sooner or later, they had to give me the point by.

Obviously there were many cars that would leave me sitting still (ie. Corvettes, 400+ HP porsches, S2000 with V8, etc, etc) but my point is, Jan's tune surprised A LOT OF PEOPLE!!!

Car ran flawless minus the melted valve cover. I'll fix it in the next few days and he'll be ready for the track soon enough.

I wanted to say THANK YOU to fellow member, Gordon (phlash) for his kindness, words of wisdom, use of his tools and most importantly, getting to ride in his mini on the track REALLY, I mean REALLY made my lines better.

If any of you are even thinking of going to a DE track event, I only hope you get lucky enough to have Gordon as an instructor.

Mark

 

Sounds like (sans melting) you had a blast. Did that track a couple years ago for a P-car event, had an absolutely phenomenal time. Was with a very well known Porsche instructor, and in his 944 Turbo, I was blowing by 997 Turbos by the second heat.

Good luck with the issues.

Hey, saw you on Indep a couple weeks ago, I was heading into town from your parts, and saw you a few yards ahead, but had to make a left on Sardis North.

Car looked gooooooooooood.

: )

 

Yeah, I love that track. I enjoy the others but feel real at home at Roebling. Man, you should have caught up to me and said hi... my shop is only a few miles down the road.

Mark

 

OC, looks pretty much melted. I have not seen this yet on other track Minis here in the NE.

Hope you manage to get it ready for VIR.

 

Yeah, I'd say pretty much...lol.

I'm trying to make the VIR trip still.


Mark

 

Really looking forward to getting to VIR.

I think it may be a good idea to go back to stock on the DP as you mentioned.

 

 

oh man that is horrible! But hey, I guess the silver lining is you are familiar with the changes that need to be made? lol. At least it was detremental to your car, that would have been a big bummer.

my ALTA hasnt done this...although Im switching catless in a day so I need to make sure I secure this properly!

 

Happy you managed to diagnose the problem and come up with a fix. I am hoping for no more of these posts.

 

**Face turning red.....**

Thanks Mark. That track is my second favorite place to run......I cut my teeth there many, many moons ago. I was great having you in the right seat and I'm thrilled it helped you and helped you make your point with your instructor. The car looks great.....you done a really nice job with it....I'm bummed that the issue reared it's ugly head again before I had the chance to drive it....there will be other opportunities.

I was great seeing you again. Glad you hopefully found the issue. It's great to see the attitude and tenacity you have concerning all of it.

Thanks for the kind words....

 

Mark,

Maybe you put the nut on but it vibrated off, or if you used a nylock nut and the heat from the turbo could have melted the locking device out of the nut. Even locktite can be effected by extreme heat, best bet is a stainless steel nut that has a crimped type lock.

 

I'm wondering if I should take the exhaust nuts off and replace them with stainless steel. I received a PM from a fellow member and he mentioned that he had a problem and his solution was the same... Stainless Steel.

The only reason I didn't install SS is because I came across the missing nut on the bottom bracket.

Not only did I replace the studs, I installed new double nuts, replaced the missing nut on the brace, welded ANOTHER brace on to the converter and then wired tied the nuts on top...lol.




Anyway, we'll see... I'll try this and if it doesn't work, I'll either try SS or go back to stock.


Mark

 

I would try to drill a small hole in the stud and then by a castle nut to put on with a cotter pin. That would keep it from backing out.

 

Unfortunately with that idea, it's the stud that backs out sometimes. The last time I did this, I double-nutted it with exhaust nuts (the ones with the crimps) and they held.

Instead, the entire stud backed out

I think with both braces in the bottom, it should be fine... (of course, I thought I had it fixed twice before... )

We'll see....


Mark