The Struggle is Real...Another KW Kit Issue
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2015
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Thanks man. In all honesty, with all the issues I've had, at times I have asked myself, why didn't I go turbo? I'm pretty committed at this point and it's not like I am disappointed in the kit overall. It does perform quite well and I definitely cannot complain about the power. I understand a few problems will arise from time to time, but at least KW has been very responsive in taking of everyone's issues that have arose. If they would have left me as well as other people high and dry, this kit would already be off my car.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 28,698
Likes: 38
From: Mooresville, NC
After speaking with Kraftwerks it seems the broken bolt issue should be a thing of the past.
Seems they have figured out where the few issues most likely came from.
"Although there have been a small number of occurrence (5 or less confirmed, Possibly 6 – but they fixed it on their own, we are trying to verify.)
Yes, We have had a handful of bolts break
The problem was not with the parts or materials, rather an assembly issue which has been corrected.
We have not had a problem with any of the other 1000’s of kits out there"
Seems they have figured out where the few issues most likely came from.
"Although there have been a small number of occurrence (5 or less confirmed, Possibly 6 – but they fixed it on their own, we are trying to verify.)
Yes, We have had a handful of bolts break
The problem was not with the parts or materials, rather an assembly issue which has been corrected.
We have not had a problem with any of the other 1000’s of kits out there"
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 269
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Thanks for the info Ryan! Although if they are saying it is an assembly error, how do they explain that Nico has broken that same bolt 3 or 4 times already? The bolt only screws in one way, so I don't really understand how it could be an assembly issue? Is Nico then not screwing the bolt in correctly then if he has had a few of them break already? I kind of wish they would elaborate on the assembly error that they found and what exactly was done to correct it.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 28,698
Likes: 38
From: Mooresville, NC
Yeah not sure. They said something was done differently with assembly for a short period but has been changed. No known issues before or after they said. I'll see if I can get any additional info on it.
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 996
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by Moddiction
Yeah not sure. They said something was done differently with assembly for a short period but has been changed. No known issues before or after they said. I'll see if I can get any additional info on it.
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 17
From: Miami
After speaking with Kraftwerks it seems the broken bolt issue should be a thing of the past.
Seems they have figured out where the few issues most likely came from.
"Although there have been a small number of occurrence (5 or less confirmed, Possibly 6 – but they fixed it on their own, we are trying to verify.)
Yes, We have had a handful of bolts break
The problem was not with the parts or materials, rather an assembly issue which has been corrected.
We have not had a problem with any of the other 1000’s of kits out there"
Seems they have figured out where the few issues most likely came from.
"Although there have been a small number of occurrence (5 or less confirmed, Possibly 6 – but they fixed it on their own, we are trying to verify.)
Yes, We have had a handful of bolts break
The problem was not with the parts or materials, rather an assembly issue which has been corrected.
We have not had a problem with any of the other 1000’s of kits out there"
so how do we know if our blowers have had the "correct" assembly performed?
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 12
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,244
Likes: 4
From: Northern KY
Habit, here are some pics I took of my crank pulley and the rack. Looking at the crank pulley itself, I only saw a few little silver marks along the outer part of it. So I am guessing that this didn't make full contact with the rack when the belt broke. That bolt looks like it has been shaved some on my car as well. Now I'm not sure if the shop did it during the install or if at some point the crank pulley actually contacted it. Since I had that bolt break initially, all new pulleys were sent to me. So maybe when that bolt broke the old crank pulley contacted the rack. I also included one to show that I guess I am missing part of the under body plastics.
Missing plastic piece:
Pics of the pulley and rack bolt:
Missing plastic piece:
Pics of the pulley and rack bolt:
Originally Posted by Moddiction' timestamp='1439769409' post='23716384
After speaking with Kraftwerks it seems the broken bolt issue should be a thing of the past.
Seems they have figured out where the few issues most likely came from.
"Although there have been a small number of occurrence (5 or less confirmed, Possibly 6 – but they fixed it on their own, we are trying to verify.)
Yes, We have had a handful of bolts break
The problem was not with the parts or materials, rather an assembly issue which has been corrected.
We have not had a problem with any of the other 1000’s of kits out there"
Seems they have figured out where the few issues most likely came from.
"Although there have been a small number of occurrence (5 or less confirmed, Possibly 6 – but they fixed it on their own, we are trying to verify.)
Yes, We have had a handful of bolts break
The problem was not with the parts or materials, rather an assembly issue which has been corrected.
We have not had a problem with any of the other 1000’s of kits out there"
so how do we know if our blowers have had the "correct" assembly performed?
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,244
Likes: 4
From: Northern KY
Originally Posted by The Machine
Bmore, I'll have to take a closer look into that over the weekend. I wouldn't call it a hard stop per se. I just kinda tapped the brakes harder than normal and for less than a second. I didn't hear any abnormal sounds or anything when I did that l, but I guess it could always be a possibility.
Billman installed my kit and it's the only one he has installed .. So those problems that he's talkin about are mine ...
Broke pulley bolt - Faulty part from Rotrex, not KW. Very limited # of ppl affected. Could have affected TTS, HKS, or any of their numerous OEM customers just the same.
Backed out bracket bolt on intake side - The only time I've heard of this. I know him personally and have immense respect for Billman, but could this have been install error?
Crank hitting rack - TTS kit also recommends shaving rack. This is a very minor & quick modification that only some people require.
Oil exploding at track - We still never heard how this happened or where it came from. KW made this right at no cost to you, though there was no indication of a problem with the system, right? Based on the issue with your a/c condensor, its possible this prevented sufficient air over the oil cooler which led to the oil overheating. Just a thought.
Cooling issues ( make sure you have a clear ac condesor) - Completely unrelated to the KW kit. You'd have likely had the same problem with most of the other kits available as well.
And to mention the wack instructions .. Bill did a lot of his custom work to make sure it was right while installing .. Things you won't know by reading instructions ..
Bill also comments on the design .. He says there is too much stress on the bolt on intake manifold .. There should be two connections for that point .. Also check how deep the threads go cause he added a longer stronger bolt to catch more threads .. And with bills experience as a machinist I trust that he can look at this kit and tell me where it needs help .. Just as I can tell you a steak is rare with out cutting it ..
Now if I had to pay bill for the after math work of changing 3 blowers and checking my car every time I had a problem id be over sos kits price by a lot... Bill also mentions that he has installed like 25 comptech and sos kits and can't remember who they were cause they have not been bak with problems!
But on the flip side I know this kit like the back of my hand now .. Which is good cause it's always something so far .. But let's see ..
Bottom line I love the power but if I can travel back in time to a better place when I can take the car cross country with out a hesitation I would have bought a sos kit .. Just for the reliability and track testing .. But who knows how that would have went ..
And if I get more problems I'd most likely sell the kit just to get out of it .. That's If anyone will buy it .. .. I do feel that we have learned a lot about this kit .. But is it all fixable I dunno
I bet that after all these problems sales from s2ki members have dropped on that kit ..