My2kz28

iTrader: (1)

Im running a front mount turbo and dont have it braced, just bolted to header and crossover..what are the cons of not bracing it?

ttranssam

iTrader: (10)

depends on how well stuff was built...my old kit seemed good, like there was not much chance of problems and it cracked!. but ive seen good built crossovers that hang way out with bigger turbos not break...do you have any pics???

pwrtrip75

iTrader: (8)

The structural integrity/design of the pipes holding it makes that call. I have made some that need no bracing, and others do. With it all together hit the tubo w/ your hand and see how much vibration/movement you have. If its solid as a rock chances are you dont need a brace... if there is vibration at all brace it.

Tally TransAm

iTrader: (17)

i didnt brace my TC76 and never had any issues over the past 2.5 years and 5k miles. a BW or something comparable I would brace but the TC line and a 7675 will like be ok as long as its not hanging out to far

i would definitely add a brace between the wastegate pipe and the crossover if it hangs out. the pipe for my tial 46 takes a 90 degree turn about 5" long and about 2" off the crossover and it has cracked twice at the weld to the crossover

Slowhawk

iTrader: (12)

We always brace them and never had a crack. Some kit's are from 2006.

Need_a_Camaro

iTrader: (27)

I've been debating the same thing. My GT91 is just hanging from my crossover, and SW headers. It's solid, with no vibration when hit. That's just a lot of weight to have hanging there. I think the biggest reason people dont brace them, is the lack of good bracing points. Especially on a bottom mount turbo setup like mine. I may try to run some sort of brace off the head from the PS mounting holes, but other than that, it'a a pain in the *** to find a spot that'll work.

93formto98T/A

iTrader: (28)

I would say: YES. With the constant heat cycling of the hotside and combination of it supporting the weight of a heavy turbo and added stress of road vibration and suspension cycling it's only a matter of time before fatigue sets in and cracks develop. I speak from personal experience.

My2kz28

iTrader: (1)

Well first of all its a mpgt45 which is big..i will post pics later today, but the turbo is mounted to the driver side forward mounted header..i had them coated in that black jet hot coating, whichever is the hottest one..the passenger header points towards the back of the car, with the crossover ubending and going in front of oil pan and on up to the driver side so not much support there i dont think

My2kz28

iTrader: (1)

Here is a couple pics of the setup..

Build-it-Break-it

iTrader: (9)

Bracing is ALWAYS going to be better then no bracing when possible. Heat, vibration, the weight of the turbo will all put stress on the piping/manifold regardless of how good the welds are. If at all possible to assist the turbo by holding up the weight and taking the stress of the piping and headers is going to help in the long run. Its the equivalent, of removing one of your engine mounts in your car,sure all the other mounts might hold for some time but its going to out stress on your other mounts in the long run and other components. Brace when at all possible.

My2kz28

iTrader: (1)

makes sense..I just dont know to what or how im going to brace this thing.

Moter

iTrader: (20)

triangulate a couple brackets off the top of the turbo flange area to the frame rail. Try so 3/8 inch solid bar stock.

tim99ws6

iTrader: (31)

weld a bar right off the frame rail.

My2kz28

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the advice. Anyone got any pics of turbo bracing? Im assuming the end of the rod on the turbo needs an end on it that bolts to the turbo. Wheres the best spot?

9sectruck

iTrader: (9)

if the engine is solid mounted then to the fram rail or any other soild structure on the car. if the engine is not solid mounted you will put a ton of stress on the tubing under WOT if the turbo is mounted to a no moving part of the car

Wicked69

I didn't think you wanted to brace it to the frame rails. When the engine is under load it is going to "twist" or move some. If it is mounted the the frame it will actually be trying to keep the engine from moving and stress the bracket. I was going to try and put a brace on the lower T4 flange and then to one of the bolt holes off the front of the block. This would brace the turbos but it would still allow the engine to "twist" Probably not the right word but you have the idea. Correct me if that is wrong. Still learning.

a4ls2goat

i was wondering the same for mine.
i bought a flex tube to weld in my crossover, but thinking about it, i dont think i should put it. i also have solid mounts.

dville_gt

iTrader: (5)

This is a picture of my buddies brace, he welds this to the pinch weld on the frame rail (mustang). Mine isn't quite as fancy, I just use some heavy duty angle iron and bolt the turbo flange to it. I would definitely recommend solid mounts and bracing the turbo.

My2kz28

iTrader: (1)

so the general consensus is to bolt it to the engine, not the car?

Grimes

iTrader: (3)

Yeah, makes sense to me. Unless you have solid mounts, when the engine rocks back and forth, the turbo is going to want to move with it. Don't restrict that movement by running a brace from the car's subframe.