Turbo keeps coming loose, WHY??????

Ok so my turbo keeps coming loose since I fitted the tubular manifold. At first I didnt have the locking tabs on the nuts so I got some laser cut and fitted them, they work just fine. Soon after I fitted them it started blowing again. So I got some thinner ones cut (easier to bend) and fitted those, again soon after it started to blow. By now I was sure the gasket was gone, so replaced it cause the old one was buggered. Worked fine for about a week and guess what ITS BLOWING AGAIN 😈 .

Now I need to get the bottom of it. The nuts cant come loose, the studs arent turning out of the manifold, so this doesnt leave me much. I was thinking my 76mm exhaust it solid all the way to the tail pipes with no flex in it. So when I go around a corner and the rear of the exhaust swings from side to side surely it is twisting the turbo on the manifold?? If it is twisting the turbo on the manifold this wear out the gasket in no time and cause a leak.

What you guys think?? Do you guys have flex pipes in your exhaust systems??

I'm amazed you Manifold hasn't cracked yet.

Get a flex section soon, You will be amazed at how the exhaust flex's when under boost

Thats what I thought, will get one ASAP. I can get one for R480, is that the going rate??

Yep sounds about right

I got a solid exhaust too, no flex... no problems with manifold (YET) Duane used stuff from Wurth on it don't know if that is why mine isn't coming loose.

Ja it never came loose when I had the log manifold on but ever since I have fitted the tubular manifold I have no such luck. I have to try something and right now I think a flex is the next best bet.

Without a flex section.

I can almost put money down at some point that tubular manifold will crack.

Unless you made your from steam piping then it should take the stress well

Also have a stailess X-force manifold. Had losts of problems, 1st time it took 3 days, then 2 weeks, then 1 month, then 3 months before it started leaking again. Problem is with the stainless expanding more than the turbo... keeps on eating away the gasket and stretching the studs. Use metal gaskets and copper lock nuts. If mine comes loose again, I will change the studs to something else :?:

LOL...

Mine did the same, I had almost every stud under the Sun and Nuts.
My manifold kept ejecting the damn studs

But the locking plates seem to have solved that issue.

johansx - How was the dyno?

I think a flex is a good idea. Im also a regular gasket victim (mostly manifold to head) and I have found that im most likely to blow a gasket after a hard launch with a bit of axel-hop.
This will cause power spikes through the drivetrain and in turn cause the engine to rapidly torque sideways...thing is the exhaust has to go with that movement and that im sure will cause stress on all ur joints..

I think Ill also try a flex now and see if that helps..

Phinx wrote:

LOL...

johansx - How was the dyno?

Left the car at MAUS earlier... Ran into problem with the auto shifting down to 1st gear when you try to map at 1500 rpm. Need to disconnect the auto box computer or something 1st.

Ok so flex coupling is fitted, just to tighten up the turbo (maybe change the gasket) and will see how it goes.