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Location:
Perth
Registered:
June 2002
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*URGENT* How essential are block to bellhousing braces?
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Sun, 08 February 2004 02:58
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Hello all,
I have fitted a 3sgte to my sprinter but found out last night that the block to bellhousing braces completely foul the steering rack.
As far as I can see, there is two options, 1. remove the braces and bolt the engine back in. Or 2. modify and lower the rack by and inch and a half.
I am chasing upwards of 400hp from my engine and I realise that Toyota put them there for a reason but I know of a few people that run without them.
On the subject of lowering the steering rack, is it legal? Whats involved with doing it? As far as I can see there isnt much to it because everything that connects to the rack is adjustable.....
Cheers
Gabe
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth, Western Australia
Registered:
December 2002
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Re: *URGENT* How essential are block to bellhousing braces?
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Sun, 08 February 2004 03:41
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I'd definately be running with them, the power you're speaking of will create alot of torsional forces, and while problems may take time to appear, I believe they will cause for dramas for you.
altering the steering rack position will affect you steering geometry, check with turboRA28, as he's doing a similar modification at the moment.
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Location:
Terrigal
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: *URGENT* How essential are block to bellhousing braces?
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Sun, 08 February 2004 08:37
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Lowering the steering rack will have huge detrimental effects on the bump steer.
I did a custom rack job and found that a 10mm change in rack height made a large effect on bump steer.
If you lower the rack you really need to lower the control arms also.
Couldn't a custom bracket be made that clears the rack?
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
June 2003
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Re: *URGENT* How essential are block to bellhousing braces?
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Sun, 08 February 2004 08:41
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you cant bring the motor forward/ take it back/ raise it any further?
I had to pack up my gearbox because my engine was too high...big bellhousing braces were hitting the firewall. Used aluminium spacers.
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I supported Toymods
Location:
I renounced punctuation
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: *URGENT* How essential are block to bellhousing braces?
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Sun, 08 February 2004 09:01
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I'd do what Joel has suggested - make some custom ones up that clear your rack.
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Location:
Perth
Registered:
June 2002
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Re: *URGENT* How essential are block to bellhousing braces?
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Sun, 08 February 2004 11:08
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| TurboRA28 wrote on Sun, 08 February 2004 16:37 |
Couldn't a custom bracket be made that clears the rack?
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Its funny you say this, I just spent 30 mins designing a new bracket, so this 'problem was not so huge as first thought. I always jump into panic mode for some weird reason.
The one on the left of the bellhousing actually fits no drama its the right hand side one thats the problem.
I was going to reposition the engine but I liked the way it sat right back in the engine bay. Better weight distribution and all that stuff.
Anyways cheers for the input all.
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Location:
Madrid - Spain
Registered:
August 2002
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Re: *URGENT* How essential are block to bellhousing braces?
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Mon, 09 February 2004 02:56
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I don't think it is so much the torsional forces on the block that the braces are for. There is plenty of strength in the bell housing to cover that.
My opinion and it is just my opinion so correct me if I am wrong. The braces are there to stiffen the box against whirl mode vibrations. That is with the output shaft and tailshaft spinning fast at high road speeds, it becomes more critical that everything is balanced because centripetal forces will want to force the gearbox to whirl (rotational oscillations). The braces effectively stiffen this joint to prevent this motion.
If you are going to design another bracket, keep in mind that the stiffness if as bigger concern as the strength is.
Or I could be full of it and making it all up 
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I supported Toymods
Location:
melbourne.victoria.austra...
Registered:
June 2002
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Re: *URGENT* How essential are block to bellhousing braces?
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Mon, 09 February 2004 21:07
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make your own, or, modify the existing ones to suit. i did with my 4AGE into my TA22 because the rack fouled on the very lower bolt.
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Registered:
June 2002
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Re: *URGENT* How essential are block to bellhousing braces?
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Mon, 09 February 2004 21:48
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gold 28,
You are correct, the ford gear box (T5) had similar problems to this due to the long length and single piece tail shaft. Extra webing and bracing was added to stiffen the box, which helped a little but better balancing is the key.
Roger
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