I wanted to minimize drivetrain shift during shifting at WOT blasts so I came up with this $7.00 torque strap design purchased from a local hardward store that I modified by bending the top eyelet to match my cylinder head angle and then slipped on a high pressure fuel line over the other end to aborb vibration and minimize the opportunity transfer metalic vibrations to the knock sensors. It is mountd directly behind the PS pump and next to the temp sensor in the drivers cylinder head with one 10mm bolt. I found and existing hole on my engine saddle crossmember so I just hooked in the bottom hook (against the rubber sleeve) and just bolted in the top end to the head!

It works great, limits motor to less than 1/8" total torqing. Pros/cons? Pic's below (installed view prior to paint):
<img src="http://home.earthlink.net/~bzdel/LS1trqStrpC.jpg" alt=" - " />

 

It looks a whole lot better than my Home Depot tie down strap! I would be worried if the bolt in the head ever loosened up, because it doesn't take much to strip the threads in aluminium heads. If it does work, I might be intrested in doing it too.

 

Looks like a great idea!
Dave

<small>[ August 10, 2002, 04:46 PM: Message edited by: ratio411 ]</small>

 

Have you monitored it for KR yet?

 

Thanks for the feedback guys and I don't expect the bolt to back out since I used loctite on it.
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Have you monitored it for KR yet?</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I have ATAP'd it over two dozen times at WOT with my 6 speed and on only one occassion I saw evidence of small KR but I attributed this to the motor being 195°+ when I recorded the data so I'd say KR isn't a problem.

 

I'm going to try that. Thanks for sharing. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

 

Their called *Turn-Buckles* look in the outdoor chain link fence supplies of better hardware stores.

SS/LS

 

You oughta sell 'em on Ebay for $49.95 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

"Recover lost power by minimizing drivetrain twisting - reduces driveline shock which increases power!"

<img border="0" alt="[jester]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_jest.gif" />

-Andrew (I oughta work in marketing)

 

Excellent design. What is the part you bought originally designed for so I know what to ask for? The only thing I see that might become a problem is the fuel hose wearing through over time, then having metal-to-metal contact. Another option might be to wrap the whole assembly in a larger size hose to dampen vibrations.

Also maybe grind (flatten) down the "eye" that bolts to the head for more contact and better clamping then use a lock washer.

<small>[ August 11, 2002, 12:06 PM: Message edited by: BLKTA ]</small>

 

BLKTA, I apologize for my ignorance but I don't recall what this is called. It is a device designed to adjust out slack.

As for the hose wear, that was a concern to me too....I will pull it off after 1,000 miles or so and give people and update since it only takes 1 minute to pop the bolt loose.

 

ttt.

John, any updates? How's it holding up, did the fuel line survive?

Thanks,

Dan

 

i do see one little problem. after you tighten the turn buckle, you should put jam nuts on each side of it. it could work its way loose. (thats only if you havent allready. i didnt see any in the picture). other that that, it looks great.

 

Looks like a fatigue failure waiting to happen...

Just get poly motor mounts and be done with it.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Fenris Ulf:
<strong>Looks like a fatigue failure waiting to happen...

Just get poly motor mounts and be done with it.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">And where would you look for poly motor mounts? I think they would be a good idea...but what about vibrations??

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"> John, any updates? How's it holding up, did the fuel line survive </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Murdock, I was going to post an update when I put my heads on two weeks ago and forgot <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="gr_emb.gif" /> sorry! The fuel line did show wear-thru in one spot so I just turned the buckle one full turn to compensate for this and re-installed. It works great and transmit's no false knock retard.
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Looks like a fatigue failure waiting to happen...Just get poly motor mounts and be done with it</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Fenris Ulf , I'm not sure why you think it's a fatigue failure waiting to happen....think about it....what's the worst thing that could happen should this buckle fail.... the motor would flex to it's fully designed tolerance because the motor mount would stop it! And even if it fails after 10K to 20K miles (which I doubt!), $7 for a replacement won't break my bank <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

And as for poly mounts, I think you're asking for trouble because these mounts will transmit vibration that the knock sensors can probably pick up and you are adding a ton of drivetrain vibration to your car for a not so pleasant ride.

 

Thanks John.
Plus, it's actually cheaper than the Ghetto Torque Strap.
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

 

I'm running a poly mount on the drivers side. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> NO vibrations <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
NO knock problems <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
NO engine movement <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
SAME smooth ride. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
I just installed an SLP y-pipe within 1" of floorboard & it doesn't hit at all. <img border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" title="" src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" />

Energy Suspensions part # 3.1116G which is an LT1 mount.Someone else on this board tried it 1st , an said that it worked SUPER good, & he was right <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />


Dave

<small>[ September 19, 2002, 10:56 AM: Message edited by: 2000Firehawk ]</small>

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 2000Firehawk:
<strong>I'm running a poly mount on the drivers side. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> NO vibrations <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
NO knock problems <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
NO engine movement <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
SAME smooth ride. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
I just installed an SLP y-pipe within 1" of floorboard & it doesn't hit at all. <img border="0" alt="[Fluffy]" title="" src="graemlins/fluffy.gif" />

Energy Suspensions part # 3.1116G which is an LT1 mount.Someone else on this board tried it 1st , an said that it worked SUPER good, & he was right <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />


Dave</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You installed just the driverside?
I have two in my living room, I wonder if just installing one would help with the vibrations...

 

I to have one for the pass-side, but don't want to install... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" /> It's as smooth as stock, with just the drivers side poly mount installed... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Dave

 

Thanks Dave! I wonder if installing them both will transmit noticably more vibrations...