New Crank Hub Solution to Market

[PhaedeDPGH]

Saw this posted on FB, curious about this.

“We looked into an interference or press fit design like this "spline lock", however it poses a bunch of new problems. If it works as intended, it makes a press fit that bites into the crank, making it more of a nail then a screw. The first time it is installed the components get permanently deformed. If you need to remove it for service or to replace your rods and pistons at a later time, I'd be concerned about removal, and also how tight things would be on re-assembly. Of course all of this is based on my own assumptions.”

[jww///95]

Originally Posted by PhaedeDPGH

Saw this posted on FB, curious about this.

“We looked into an interference or press fit design like this "spline lock", however it poses a bunch of new problems. If it works as intended, it makes a press fit that bites into the crank, making it more of a nail then a screw. The first time it is installed the components get permanently deformed. If you need to remove it for service or to replace your rods and pistons at a later time, I'd be concerned about removal, and also how tight things would be on re-assembly. Of course all of this is based on my own assumptions.”

It's a good call out - the deformative nature of the installation.

I don't believe the hub has to be removed for the crankshaft to be removed from the split block. So for rod bearing service, rod replacement, etc this presumably wouldn't be an issue. Look at some of the teardown pics of the n55/s55 and you'll see what I mean.

But the point is still well taken... E.g. what if this new hub design were to spin? You've now presumably destroyed the snout of the crankshaft.

[818///M3]

Is this a solution if you already spun the hub or is this just a prevention method?

[sdstatestud88]

Originally Posted by 818///M3

Is this a solution if you already spun the hub or is this just a prevention method?

Originally Posted by 818///M3

Is this a solution if you already spun the hub or is this just a prevention method?

Preventative

[6SPD GOD]

Originally Posted by jww///95

It's a good call out - the deformative nature of the installation.

I don't believe the hub has to be removed for the crankshaft to be removed from the split block. So for rod bearing service, rod replacement, etc this presumably wouldn't be an issue. Look at some of the teardown pics of the n55/s55 and you'll see what I mean.

But the point is still well taken... E.g. what if this new hub design were to spin? You've now presumably destroyed the snout of the crankshaft.

What specifically gets deformed?

What are some CONS to choose this set up over a gintani fix ?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Nice

[tom @ eas]

Kit received today, install begins Monday.

[6SPD GOD]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Kit received today, install begins Monday.

Mind to share your opinions on the pros and cons of this set up?

Also, how much would in-house installation cost at EAS.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by 6SPD GOD

Mind to share your opinions on the pros and cons of this set up?

Also, how much would in-house installation cost at EAS.

PM incoming.

[M-Pilot]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

PM incoming.

Can I get a quote as well?

[tom @ eas]

Quick pic of VTT components before installation next week.

- VTT S55 Crank Bolt Capture
- VTT "Spline Lock" Crank Hub Solution

[overlook637]

Would loctite threadlocker make for a even more secure installation?

[domino_z]

For those, like myself, who had no idea what the issue was, this will explain it

and wow is that a major design flaw

Which then brings me to my question, shouldn't you be re-balancing the whole crank assembly with this new hub and spline lock - which do not weigh same as oe hub. Is anyone monitoring knock pre vs post aftermarket hub?

[jww///95]

Originally Posted by domino_z

...which do not weigh same as oe hub...

Have you seen any published weights of the aftermarket vs oe hubs? Seems like the silence is deafening on the aftermarket hub specs in general.

Separately regarding the balancing not sure if this is required as the harmonic damper would likely mitigate any effects and even those should be minimal as it's a uniform mass (even if different) around the centerline of the crankshaft... Similar philosophy as a lightweight flywheel in my mind. We also know there is a weight difference between the OE flywheels of the 6mt vs DCT equipped cars with no change to internal components.

[Cleber T.]

ordered today

[CT92F80]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Kit received today, install begins Monday.

How long does it take to do a job like this?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by crxsir121

How long does it take to do a job like this?

Vargas estimates ~8 hours. We'll verify once completed.

[///BMW Junkie]

Originally Posted by domino_z

For those, like myself, who had no idea what the issue was, this will explain it

and wow is that a major design flaw

Which then brings me to my question, shouldn't you be re-balancing the whole crank assembly with this new hub and spline lock - which do not weigh same as oe hub. Is anyone monitoring knock pre vs post aftermarket hub?

Thanks for sharing.

As he says it's the same design for N54, N55 and S55, so why is it only an issue with the S55? More power? DCT?

[domino_z]

Originally Posted by M4trix

As he says it's the same design for N54, N55 and S55, so why is it only an issue with the S55? More power? DCT?

The reason I've seen floating about is a quick change in revs causes it to slip - so either through faster acceleration or downshifting with a dct where change in revs is very quick

[overlook637]

Plenty of tuned cars, CS, CSL, GTS cars have put down lots of time/miles on the race track. If this was a power and/or hard shifting issue then we would see many failures on the cars that are raced.

[domino_z]

Originally Posted by overlook637

Plenty of tuned cars, CS, CSL, GTS cars have put down lots of time/miles on the race track. If this was a power and/or hard shifting issue then we would see many failures on the cars that are raced.

a forum is only a small snapshot of a much larger owner pool out there

this can work both ways - you either see a small issue over hyped within an echo chamber, or you don't see all the instances of this issue

from what i understand of the underlying problem being a major design flaw, and the fact bmw have now switched to a traditional crank case cover on the B58, i'm inclined to believe the latter

[domino_z]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Vargas estimates ~8 hours. We'll verify once completed.

I'd love to see a full project thread for an install, including all the re timing tools used - would make a great opportunity for one of your blogs