Firstly I will point out I have no affiliation with this shop, just a happy customer spreading the news for an excellent product. I have no doubt, like myself, many of you are fed up with the stock bolts the secure the Engine Bay Panels on the F430. While the genuine items are stainless steel and don't corrode, the fact they are made from SS means they have the integrity of cheese and are easily rounded off either by accident or passage of time. Finding a good quality "low profile" replacement has always been a bit tricky as while you can get the 20 & 30mm lengths, the 50mm ones are not so easy to come by, especially if you want them all the same. Yes you can probably find regular head Cap Bolts, but the heads on these are bit on the large side. So I was chuffed to nuts when I finally got my hands on what I consider to be the perfect Bolt. I've been buying Titanium Bolts and Fixings from RaceTi for many years, and while he does a certain type of bolt - RaceTi PRO - in a couple of sizes he didn't do them in M5. So the other day I asked him "can you". His reply was yes, I've been looking at doing that size for a while and in the process of having them made. What sizes did I want ? When I said 50mm he said he doesn't get a lot of call for that length, but as they are being machined he'll get a batch made. Anyway, a few of days ago I get an e-mail to say they are ready. A day later they arrived in the post ! Like all his Bolts they are superb quality. Specs as follows: RaceTi Pro Flanged Torx Head -T25 Grade 5 Hard Black Ceramic Coating Rolled Threads Sizes required for F430 Coupe: M5 x 20mm x18 M5 x 30mm x2 M5 x 50mm x4 They aren't listed on his site yet as they are so new, but you can drop Rauf an e-mail and I'm sure he'll sort you out. raceTi | Performance parts Fresh out the packet ! Image Unavailable, Please Login
Love that your using not ferrari parts. I switched out alot with titanium. Its definitely the way to go.
Just sent an email to order a set. Thanks so much for doing the footwork on this. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
The advantage of titanium is that it is almost as strong as good steel, lighter in weight, and more heat resistant than aluminum. Costs a lot more than either. Fail to see why replacing good SS bolts with titanium ones is an advantage unless you are rich and really, really concerned about weight.
As requested a comparison pic. Flange is slightly smaller, but compensated for by being thicker. Image Unavailable, Please Login
My stock stainless ones are kinda stripped out and they are difficult to get the Allen wrench to stay in. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
Very good lead ! I was looking for the black coated TI for my carbon CS door panels look on there sight did not see any black for sale ?
Taken me over a year swopping out steel to TI HUGE weight savings and I have not even started the inside yet. Having 16mm engine mount bolts custom made and trans bolts should arrive next week. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Had trans cap machine down to Challenge spec, 12 standard 8mm steel bolts by110mm weight 1.64 pounds TI weight 7.4 ounces Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Fully insert the Allen key, or bit, by tapping it in with a hammer. If totally stripped out, hammer in a star bit, remove it, and order replacements. If the Allen bit or key is fully inserted, the screws should not strip out. But, very easy to just partially insert the key. Installing titanium replacements seems way over the top. Just keep spares on hand or better yet, insert the tool properly, to begin with.
When you look at the cost of the titanium bolts compared to the Ferrari OEMs and consider the increased durability, they make a lot of sense.
Neat project. FWIW, black stainless fasteners are available from several UK suppliers at a price far lower than Ferrari that match OEM. After all, Ferrari bought them from suppliers. They did not make them.
Those stupid hex head bolts. I don’t know what alloy they used, I still say it’s made from recycled amalgam silver fillings and aluminum foil. I hate those. Love your progress, you are inspirational. Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
This is super cool! However, there is something fundamentally wrong here. 1.64 lbf = 26.24 oz. density of steel = 7.85g/cm^3, density of titanium = 4.5g/cm^3, ratio = 1.74. 26.24oz steel = 15oz titanium. You simply can't get to 7.4oz of titanium without reducing the volume of material by 50%. As the scale shows 11.4oz steel and 4.4oz titanium. I think this is the more accurate comparison since the heads appear to be hollowed out on the titanium. However, that is still an incredible reduction, since one would expect 6.5oz. 33% less than the expected value would make me wonder/worry about equivalent strength. There might be a lot more to be told, but it seems too good to be true. I would take another look to be sure it's all that you think it is and it's safe. What you are doing is totally awesome and I would love to see your car someday!
Titanium is not as durable as SS. If you don't like SS you really will not like titanium. Besides there are many low cost sources for black stainless flanged button head allens or torx and if a good socket is used they will not strip the head out.
As for engine mount or trans mount bolts. There is a very big strength factor difference. They are not interchangeable materials.
