Matts 1460cc lightweight trackday build diary.
Turbo Mini Forums

I see, and generally speaking is aftermarket stuff for minis spot on out of the box? Can't say I've ever checked mini bearings before putting them together, good practice to tho I guess.

Looking very nice!

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

thats fine until you do have an issue, generally everything does go together ok, but you only need to get 1 out of spec crank that wipes the mains and block out and then you'll wish you spent 10 mins plastigauging the bearings,

+1293

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

I tend to agree. Plastigauge is a cheap check but you use a micrometer and a bore gauge to do it properly. I would think an engine with this much investment was getting a proper check at some point.

Bah that'll teach me to post after coming back from the pub, totally missed the bit about measuring, I read it as basically dont bother plastigauging stuff it together...

Plastiguage!! (Sorry... just really felt left out n wanted to say it!!)

woo wee did you have a trolley dash in the swifty warehouse?!?!

that crank is smexy

Well I can confirm the crank comes with a very detailed inspection report from Arrow detailing every measurement of each jornel, including tolerance to spec & Pass against each one. Now MED did a dry build on 1 cylinder to establish the deck height priory to facing the block. At this point everything was doubled checked.

I thought a running Clearence of 2.5-3thou on the mains was a little high, but that's the spec MED gave me based on the fact the block as been line bored and due to the nature of the build.

Plastigauge only costs about £5 for enough to do about 20 engines and only takes 2mins. I think it's good practice, especially when somebody else is doing the machining and you don't have all the accurate measuring tools yourself.

Having said that, I've built about 10+ engines machined by MED, that have all been spot one when checked with plastigauge.

Edited by alaskanow0 on 6th Apr, 2016.

Class C 3rd Place Avon 2011 14.18 @101mph

I also think Plastigauge is worth the effort. No substitute for measuring as well, but lets be realistic, measuring instruments used by inexperienced hands can be made to read whatever you want them to be read.

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

9.85 @ 145mph
202mph standing mile
speed didn't kill me, but taxation probably will

0.0025" main bearing clearance is acceptable? May be a bit baggy? Unfortunately it is what MED say it is. Or is it? Me personally with a build like this I would fit -0.010" bearings, measure their ID as fitted, and grind the crank journals to suit for 0.001" clearance give or take 0.0005". Run out on the crank would need to be less than 0.0005" though, which might need some fly press work to straighten it enough.

Sneaky preview

Edited by alaskanow0 on 7th Apr, 2016.

Class C 3rd Place Avon 2011 14.18 @101mph

Cool! Who's doing those arms?

Class C 3rd Place Avon 2011 14.18 @101mph

Yeah where are thems arms from? And Probably a silly question but why are the pots boots on?

new pot joints i guess.

Why would the boots not be on? They're part of the pot joint.

Yep the Pot joints are new, the shaft just pushes in.

The Top arms have been designed and made in 7075 for me. However they will be available to buy, as 3 sets are currently being made.

I don't want to give away who's making them at this stage, but let's just say, I have loads of their lightweight or performance related CNC alloy products already on the car... And it's not DSN or Force Racing.

Edited by alaskanow0 on 8th Apr, 2016.

Class C 3rd Place Avon 2011 14.18 @101mph

SC then

It's been a expensive venture, but well worth it when you see them coming together in the fletch. The design as proven to be very time consuming and complexed to machine, but I really wanted them to retain the standard top arm look, rather than a flat block of alloy.

Edited by alaskanow0 on 8th Apr, 2016.

Class C 3rd Place Avon 2011 14.18 @101mph

Class C 3rd Place Avon 2011 14.18 @101mph