JM Performance

Ok, I ran into my first problem:

The kit came with studs in the manifold for the turbo to mount. I noticed that some of the threads were flattened...I guess from Fmax puting the studs in. I figured (dumbly) that w/ a little force I'd be able to get past the flattened parts.

Well anyway, I was tightening the nut over one of the studs (the one flattened the worst) and then - pop - the stud fell out.

So I took everything out, thinking I busted the stud. Well it turns out that I stripped both the stud and the flange on the manifold. But what confuses me is that that one stud is cut short. The end that screws in is about half of the length of the others. So, in other words F-Max fucked up!

Either way, now I need to get some bolts instead of dealing with these studs and also get a tap to rethread the flange.

Anyway, thats where I am now. For tonight I'm just gunna work on other stuff and get that done tomorrow.

Later guys.

JM Performance

Also, do you guys think I should go bigger? Or should I be able to rethread the hole the same size?

bodykit=rice

try to retap it the same size.. use bolts instead of studs


[Modified by bodykit=rice, 5:24 PM 12/9/2001]

GruvyTune

Yea, retap the same size. You should be able to chase those threads and fix them. I stayed with the studs on mine. they loosen easily like I told you so find a way to threadlock both the stud threads and the nuts if you keep the studs.

torin

JM Performance

So I went to look for the bolts for this. Turns out the studs are different sizes on each end. And no one can figure out what size the end that goes into the manifold is. Its close to 10x1.25, but its not.

Also, me and tomakit figured that when the studs were put in, they used a drill press. Thats what fucked them up. Also, the one that stripped out was most likely crossthreaded.

Either way I'm gunna call F-Max and try to get them to send me a new manifold. Or at least help me fix this one.

Man, and I thought I'd finish this this weekend!

DIRep972

iTrader: (1)

dude I started Friday evening and finished saturday afternoon, only took me 8 days!.. hehe dont feel bad, just take your time and do everything right, it will turn out better that way

Tomakit

FMAX screwed matt's manifold up pretty good.

To begin with, they cross threaded one of the studs in to the manifold. And to screw the stud into the manifold it looks like they inserted one end of the stud (which is threaded btw) into a drill, and drilled it into the manifold. I say this cause there are three flat spots on the threads that run the length of the stud that. Basically they clamped down on the threaded part of the stud and cross threaded the other half into the manifold.

It's also gonna be impossible to chase the threads...there is nothing left to chase. Half of the threads into the mani are completely stripped (smooth as a baby's bottom). (It's also gonna be hella hard to tap 1 size over). Also, the flange to mount the turbo, those threads are only 6-7 threads deep, at the deepest. Fmax cut some of the studs short to make it fit.

So far I am very displeased with the fmax manifold, and the way they mount the turbo to it. Everything else looks pretty good.

Tom

JM Performance

Tom, the manifold looks good. Its just the dumbfuck that mounted the studs into it.

SiR Kid

OUCH, guys, sorry tohear about your F-Max manifold... I got mine, and 3 others of my friends around the same time <1 year timeframe> without any problems. Only thing I came across was slightly misaligned studs that made putting the turbo on the studs a little tough... Nothing a BFH wouldn't fix though!

On my car I HAD to use the F-ax manifold to make it all fit in the engine bay, and it's STILL a tight squeeze!

Tomakit

(copy)Tom, the manifold looks good. Its just the dumbfuck that mounted the studs into it.(copy)

Thats what i meant...brain got ahead of my fingers.

Fmax fucked up installing the studs on the turbo flange on the manifold...

Tom