I finally was able to get on it yesterday after doing some X-mas shopping. Man I was so frustrated 'cause the malls were overcrowded.

Anyway, the car pulls pretty insanely once it get to 5 pounds of boost and up. I can not believe how much power it is making. The first time I really got on it, the motor died suddenly at around 4500 rpms. BTW, the air was cool and dense, about 55-60 deg, possibly giving it more boost?

Pulled over to the side of the road to find the vortech 90 deg intake elbow blew off the t-body. Luckily, I had some tools with me, and I'm recommending to everyone they carry an emergency tool pack in instances like this. This did happen to me once before on the fwy at night near an exit ramp...not fun at all.. I'm lucky I wasn't run over out there.

Any ideas on how to make this connection bullit proof besides using a better
t-type clamp? I am running a Holley 58 mm throttle body. How about having flanges welded on each side?

 

i have had it happen to me as well with my procharger. My was that i just have the piping to tight coming from the intercooler and when the engine touqured it would pull off the elbow.

Shane

 

When I pulleyed up from 6# to 10# when clamps couldn't hold the increase in pressure. Switch to the T-bolt style clamps; solved my issue.

 

I've had mine blow off 3 times doesn't seem to matter how tight the clamp is.

 

Another vote for t bolt clamps. My buddy had the samer thing happen with his 93 vortech supercharged lightning. He went to the tbar clamps and never had another problem. I think the clamps that come with it are just a crappy desin for that type of use.

 

I just fabbed a little bracket out of a stray piece of aluminum. Scews into the TB and the elbow. Problem solved for $0.00. Before making the bracket it was nearly impossible to keep the two connected when the boost went over 15psi or so.

Rich

 

buddy did n2o backfire lol

 

Have you checked that the bypass valve works like it should?
17psi no problem widh the cheapest clamps here.
Have spot welded the ends of the elbow so the clamps have something to grip on.

 

Thanks for the responses everyone.


After closer inspection,

The vortech elbow has a small lip on the end, so that piece was designed correctly to hold the hose on, as the hose has never blown off at this point.

The problem is the Holley t-body. It is a little too smooth near the edge with no lip.

I am going to try the t-bolt clamp first. If that doesn't work, I may have a bead welded onto the t-body or try the suggested bracket between the t-body and elbow.

 

I also have a holley TB and i havent done any modification on it, I have 2 shorter clamps that i put together to 1 so i can tighten it on both sides ....

 

Thanks for that idea Lisa.

 

When you run big boost their is no chance of keeping that thing on even with t-bolt clamps. I made a bracket also but it mounts to the radiator shroud and basicly keeps pressure on the elbow to hold it in place. I can send pics to those that are interested.

Jeff
96 SS BLOWN
96 TA 396 D1

 

I had that happen too but the clamp was not totally tightened, tightened clamp using small socket and 1/4" drive wrench, no problem after that for me but re-tightened periodically preventative maint.

 

The summit elbow comes with the same style clamps but instead of having slots they are just indentions.

 

Pics please! blown383@yahoo.com

-B