RCE Exhaust for CR250 O-Rings

Marc Miller · Advertiser Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 1835

Good news Roger - and once again - thanks to Brad for great customer service.
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Roger Miller · Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:19 am Post subject:

I have received the new design pipe, and will be testing it this weekend. Unfortunately, I didn't take time to do pictures before mounting it up and finishing all of the details for prepping for the event this weekend.

When we get back, I will break it down and take pictures and post them here. I will say this, it looks like a really well done improvement for the swivel joint, and looks like it will work really well to seal, and yet provide the needed swivel joint. It is made from a heavier steel material than the usual slip fit joint on traditional designs, and it is a well fit joint. My expectation is that when it starts to heat up, the joint will swell a bit, seal up, and then will perform as expected. And, once cool, will return to being able to be worked with.

Hope that makes sense. Pictures and updates in a couple of days.

Rick Goodwin · Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:02 am Post subject:

Is this the reason the for the price increase? New design?$425.00 is pretty steep for a stamped pipe without silencer. IMOHO.

Erik Frank · Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 7:40 am Post subject:

Rick,

Have you priced a clocktower pipe from Europe lately? Easily double that price. Frankly, I'm surprised RCE can covered their stamped tooling costs at that price.

Its a good deal, and and a good performing pipe. Now that the sealing has been addressed, it will be an even better performing pipe. The leakage was causing power loss.

Thanks for the update Roger.

-erik
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Roger Miller · Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 6:12 pm Post subject:

Hello - the pipe worked great yesterday. As we have never run that track, I can't bench mark the lap times. And because we were fighting ignition problems most of the day, we were unable to measure against the other ICE drivers very well. We did finally get running for Heat 2, and Ryen pulled out a huge lead right from the start and never looked back. I will get info from Timing and Scoring to see what that tells us about how we stacked up. Really, this is only about was the pipe doing well for performance, and on the basic "feel" of the second heat, there was no harm to our performance.

Here are the pictures of the new joint design. I think it is working great. We have no issues with the joint at all

One questions - Springs - what do you use and where do you get them? We lost both of the springs from the header during the heat. The joint springs were fine, but I would like to clean that up as it is an odd assortment of springs right at the moment.

The discoloration is staining from some anti-seize I put on the joint when I assembled it.

The joint smoked a little when first started, like it was leaking a bit, but, then after it warmed up a bit, nothing was coming out of the joint at all.

Roger Miller · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2007 9:17 pm Post subject:

Ran the new design at Willow Springs and again, it worked flawlessly. Similar to Buttonwillow, we were fighting with other issues (Carb and fuel tank related) but when we ran in Practice and in the Pre-Final, Ryen was the fastest kart on the track, and ran a 1:30 something, with a 1:31 something and mostly 1:32s which from what I hear, is respectable for a single.

So - I absolutely recommend the new pipe design. I have no details or information related to what Brad will do for those that have the original design. I hope to have more communication with Brad in the next day or so and might have something to say, or, Brad may do it himself.

From our standpoint, the test of the new design was a complete success.

James Ingram · Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2007 10:03 am Post subject:

Roger-contact Mark Croslyn, he has the best swivel springs!!
JI

Steve Buckner · Joined: 22 Apr 2003 Posts: 839

I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO CONTACT BRAD FROM RCE FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS NOW AND NO REPLY.CAN YOU TELL ME HOW ONE CAN BUY THIS PIPE. Confused

RODGER CAN YOU HELP?

Dan Davis · Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2007 9:00 am Post subject:

Can't help ya there.....that has periodically been my problem too.

Brad Boyer · Joined: 05 Sep 2001 Posts: 91 Location: Canton, Michigan

Hello all .... RCE here. First, thanks to Roger for the rapid on-track feedback of the new X2 design coupler. It is a very close tolerance (dimensionally and surface finish) CNC matched set, and we are pleased with the performance. We recently made a Rotax 257 X2 as well.

In terms of getting ahold of product, you could always call a RCE dealer or order web direct. You can also email us at info@rceracing.com or rceracing@yahoo.com

Seems like a lot of options. We try to keep it simple with faxes and email. Otherwise a full time phone contact will push costs up, on a fairly niche product line.

Upgrading the coupler initially delayed X2 shipments, but we always have 20+ T3-CR125's and silencers ready. But please, have a web order number in hand before saying you can't get the product. CR250 Superkarts are the best bang in motorsports - so we want to help it grow.

Thanks again for the feedback ... and good luck to everyone on the track this year.

Brad

Steve Buckner · Joined: 22 Apr 2003 Posts: 839

ORDER # rceracing-779

Gary Slahor · Joined: 05 Jun 2002 Posts: 49 Location: Baltimore, MD,USA

For those of you with the old style RCE swivel joint, I tested a packing material that worked great at Road America. Not a hint of a leak over the entire weekend, on my RCE X-2 pipe.

It's a 3/16" square graphite compression packing material, good to over 850 deg F - which seems to be high enough. It comes on a spool, and you cut off what you need to fit into the o-ring groove. Cut the ends on a 45 deg so there is some overlap, and cut it a bit long so you have to compress it to get it into the grooves, and it seals up great.

You can order it from McMasterCarr under part number 97675K5... on page 3369 of their on-line catalog.

It worked for me....your mileage may vary...etc.

Oh and use LOTS of springs to hold the joint tight.

Gary

Riley Will · Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 2:05 pm Post subject:

After numerous faxes, e-mails, PM, and phone messages I still have not had any contact with RCE. Strange as BRC is listed as a dealer of theirs for Canada????? I really do not know what else to do?

Roger, do you have any ideas?

I have a brand new X2 that never came with the stinger, and has the o-ring coupler. Brad told me over a year ago that he was sending out the stinger next day and about 6 months ago that he would replace my exhaust with the new type due to our communication problems and the time delay on their end.........Still Nothin!

My kart has been ready for 2 years and not even started because of this mess. (Principal)

Does anyone have the proper 30 degree bent stinger for this pipe that they could sell me?

I even told Brad 6 months ago that he could just sent the new slip couple joint pieces and I would do the cut and weld here.....He insisted that he would send me a new exhaust and that I could send the old one back in the shipping box that the new one came in. I thought lovely!!!! Only now I have been waiting another 6 months with no communication whatsoever from RCE.......What to do?

I am very disappointed and need the parts to make me feel better....Brad, since I guess you do read this forum, do you wanna honor your solution or not?
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Riley Will
BRC Engineering
rwill@brceng.com
(403) 216-0630 wk.
www.brceng.com

Johnny West · Joined: 03 May 2002 Posts: 1180

Hi Riley,
I am sure you know Brian Turfrey could make you one. He make good stuff too. My be RCE has issues that he can not discuss. Hope to see you in Texas.
BTW I never recieved the twin sponsorship Wink

Kart is coming along ok.
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Johnny West/West Racing

Gary Slahor · Joined: 05 Jun 2002 Posts: 49 Location: Baltimore, MD,USA

Riley,

It probably won't make you feel any better, but I had the same experiences dealing with RCE. Almost impossible to get a hold of (at the time they refused to give me a phone number)....won't return messages......doesn't do what he says...etc.....

Sorry to be so negative, but it was one of the worst experiences I've ever had...and I had to pay money to experience it ! ! !

Gary