Choosing Fasteners for your build

[Allan74]

While it's still fresh in/on my brain, since I have literally spent the last 2 days on and off, speaking with Fastener Manufacturers as well as others, I thought I would write up a little blurb here to help set the record straight for a few people that care.

I really have Mcfly to thank, for pointing me in the right direction and for getting me to learn more about fastener grades, do's and do nots, in terms of building and choices. He was the first one to tell me that ARP L19 was not a good choice for Street Cars.......now I will tell you why.

ARP L19 Fasteners provide INCREDIBLE clamping force that far exceeds that of ARP2000 or ARP Chromoly 8740 and is widely used in all types of RACE CARS today because of it's tensile and load strengths, as well as value. ARP L19 is one of the best bangs-for-bucks available on the market for the average Racing program today. It is much cheaper than ARP Custom Aged 625+ Fasteners, as well as ARP 3.5 fasteners and able to provide enough clamping force for even the most extreme RACE Motors.

Anyone pickup on any KEY Words ? ( hint = RACE )

Here's where I will try to get to the point.......

Are you planning to:
- Tear down your motor multiple times per year ?
- Do partial tear downs and inspection after a 'hard run' ?
- Provide more-than-standard maintenance during a season ?
- Regular Fastener Inspctions ?

If you answered NO to even 1 of the questions above, L19 is not for you.

Here's why......

Straight from ARP's mouth:

It is primarily used in short track and drag racing applications where inertia loads exceed the clamping capability of ARP®2000. Like most high strength, quench and temper steels—L19 requires special care to avoid hydrogen embrittlement. This material is easily contaminated and subject to stress corrosion. It must be kept well-oiled and not exposed to moisture.


Simple 'Street Car' things we take for granted:

- Moisture/Condensation from start-ups/Shut-downs.
- Weather Changes and exposure (yes, more condensation).
- Irregular Driving Schedules (yes, you guessed it, more condensation).
- Did I forget to mention, CONDENSATION ?

If anyone is unclear so far, SLAP YOURSELF.

Race Car ? Regular Tear Downs ? temperature COntrolled Storage ? USE L19.

....otherwise, there are PROPER alternatives out there for Street Car Builds.

Any questions ?

[Zacho]

Good information. I read L19's were not for street use before but never knew why. Thanks for the post. Doesn't L19 carry a huge price increase as well?

[mcfly]

Good information. I read L19's were not for street use before but never knew why. Thanks for the post. Doesn't L19 carry a huge price increase as well?

l19 is affordable when compared to the inconel alloys they also use. ARP2000 are just cheap rod bolts but work for most people.

[Allan74]

In terms of price, the L19 is the logical 'next stup up' for those that need more than an ARP2000 can provide strength-wise.
They are usually about %30+ more than ARP2000 from what I have seen.

Unfortunately, most people don't care that they are specified as being 'For Race Use Only' (the L19's) and see that as something 'Cool' rather than a warning to avoid.

I was lucky enough to be shown which direction to go and I just want to pass along what I have found out during my 'info gathering'.

Carrillo Rod buyers are lucky in a sense, that they don't have to worry about this choice in fasteners. Carrillo WMC Bolts are comparable to ARP2000 (and some people say a bit stronger than ARP2000) and the Carrillo CARR bolts are best compared to ARP 625+, niether of which suffer from the possibility of Hydrogen Embrittlement and are useable on Street as well as full-out Race applications.

For me, I wanted Manley Pro Series Turbo Tuff I-Beams. ARP fasteners was what was available, although I found out yesterday that I could have also ordered CARR Rod Bolts. I settled on ARP 3.5 which are superior to both (although debatable by some).

[mcfly]

What is nice about using Carrillo rods is this page attached.

Everything perfectly laid out.

[rb-racer]

I wonder why they say not to magnaflux rods with bolts

[Allan74]

I wonder why they say not to magnaflux rods with bolts

If I had to make an educated guess, it would have to be because of bolt stretch......and the effect.

[rb-racer]

That's fair to assume but it would be interesting to know why that is.