Let's talk safety: Are my concerns justified?
03-02-2017, 02:11 PM
#1
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Let's talk safety: Are my concerns justified? I wrapped up last year clicking off a new personal best in the big body with a 9.2 @ 154mph on a 1.4x 60' and was super pleased to say the least.
Lately I've really been thinking more and more about safety equipment before going back out there and turning the boost up and shooting for 8s. As it sits, I have no cage in the car which at this point is a no brainer... I shouldn't have pushed it this far without one.
The other nagging concern in the front of my mind is having the clutch/flywheel let go catastrophically and cutting through the floor while launching the **** out of a 4,000lb sedan. With a McLeod RXT launching on 28" slicks, how valid is my concern? Has anyone done a reinforced/blast proof trans tunnel? The blast proof Quick time bell housing is not an option for my application unfortunately....
Would just like to have some discussion on this as I haven't seen it talked about much.
Lately I've really been thinking more and more about safety equipment before going back out there and turning the boost up and shooting for 8s. As it sits, I have no cage in the car which at this point is a no brainer... I shouldn't have pushed it this far without one.
The other nagging concern in the front of my mind is having the clutch/flywheel let go catastrophically and cutting through the floor while launching the **** out of a 4,000lb sedan. With a McLeod RXT launching on 28" slicks, how valid is my concern? Has anyone done a reinforced/blast proof trans tunnel? The blast proof Quick time bell housing is not an option for my application unfortunately....
Would just like to have some discussion on this as I haven't seen it talked about much.
03-02-2017, 02:24 PM
#3
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
*****,
The Flywheel is in fact SFI/Billet McLeod unit.
Also, as far as the blankets go... I have heard mixed things? I have heard they can contain shrapnel and I've also heard that they'll do next to nothing that it's essentially to contain the blast proof bell housing when it comes apart... Any input on that?
The Flywheel is in fact SFI/Billet McLeod unit.
Also, as far as the blankets go... I have heard mixed things? I have heard they can contain shrapnel and I've also heard that they'll do next to nothing that it's essentially to contain the blast proof bell housing when it comes apart... Any input on that?
03-02-2017, 03:00 PM
#4
I have no direct experience with the blanket....I would think it would "help"...if not prevent injury.
Maybe also weld in some steel over floorboard/tunnel if this is basically a track only car
At your ET you would be 1 and done for passes at any track around here without a cage
NHRA rule:
9.99 1/4-mile (6.39 1/8-mile)/ 135 mph or quicker:
-Roll cage is required on all vehicles at 9.99 and quicker or any vehicle running 135 mph or faster (regardless of e.t.)
Maybe also weld in some steel over floorboard/tunnel if this is basically a track only car
At your ET you would be 1 and done for passes at any track around here without a cage
NHRA rule:
9.99 1/4-mile (6.39 1/8-mile)/ 135 mph or quicker:
-Roll cage is required on all vehicles at 9.99 and quicker or any vehicle running 135 mph or faster (regardless of e.t.)
03-03-2017, 02:41 PM
#9
9 Second Club
Why is a steel bellhousing not possible ?
A lot of the rules are based on ancient old ***** that had a habit of falling apart. Lets face it...when have you ever heard of a properly installed LS flywheel/clutch letting go in deadly fashion ?
I dont think I've ever seen it on any forums etc.
So is it really a concern ? Probably not.
A lot of the rules are based on ancient old ***** that had a habit of falling apart. Lets face it...when have you ever heard of a properly installed LS flywheel/clutch letting go in deadly fashion ?
I dont think I've ever seen it on any forums etc.
So is it really a concern ? Probably not.
03-03-2017, 04:11 PM
#10
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Why is a steel bellhousing not possible ?
A lot of the rules are based on ancient old ***** that had a habit of falling apart. Lets face it...when have you ever heard of a properly installed LS flywheel/clutch letting go in deadly fashion ?
I dont think I've ever seen it on any forums etc.
So is it really a concern ? Probably not.
A lot of the rules are based on ancient old ***** that had a habit of falling apart. Lets face it...when have you ever heard of a properly installed LS flywheel/clutch letting go in deadly fashion ?
I dont think I've ever seen it on any forums etc.
So is it really a concern ? Probably not.
As to your second point, it is a valid point. In an LS car I've only seen it once in an F-Body and it very nearly took his foot off. No idea what clutch it was or its condition though
03-03-2017, 04:24 PM
#11
9 Second Club
On the most recent Fast n Loud shown here, they did a Mast LS motor with a Magnum and used a steel bellhousing. Not sure what make it was but the sticker was not Quicktime.
Or is that still different ?
I would think if you have a decent good quality steel flywheel, there is pretty much zero chance of anything ever happening it, unless it isnt bolted on properly or something self inflicted
Or is that still different ?
I would think if you have a decent good quality steel flywheel, there is pretty much zero chance of anything ever happening it, unless it isnt bolted on properly or something self inflicted
03-15-2017, 10:38 AM
#12
If you can't get a steel bellhousing (SFI 6.1) a transmission blanket (SFI 4.1) will be better than nothing.
Another option if don't feel a blanket will work is construct a scattershield.
IIRC the scattershield needs to be 1/4" plate steel welded to the frame/chassis around the bellhousing.
Another option if don't feel a blanket will work is construct a scattershield.
IIRC the scattershield needs to be 1/4" plate steel welded to the frame/chassis around the bellhousing.
03-17-2017, 08:22 PM
#13
This may be of interest. Looks nasty when clutch let's go..
http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthr.../504210?page=1
http://www.ls1gto.com/forums/showthr.../504210?page=1
03-18-2017, 07:21 AM
#14
9 Second Club
I wouldnt really say the clutch let go.
More like it was an idiot driving, for not only selecting the wrong gear ( and I've done it myself ) but then allowing it to engage that for for long enough to hit 10k for over a second.
It's a bit like showing a picture of a car driven into a wall and saying you'd better have safety gear in case this happens...
Or just don't drive into walls.
The failure of that clutch/whatever was entirely the fault of the driver...and looking at the condition of the parts that were left...there's probably more to it than that once off failure.
More like it was an idiot driving, for not only selecting the wrong gear ( and I've done it myself ) but then allowing it to engage that for for long enough to hit 10k for over a second.
It's a bit like showing a picture of a car driven into a wall and saying you'd better have safety gear in case this happens...
Or just don't drive into walls.
The failure of that clutch/whatever was entirely the fault of the driver...and looking at the condition of the parts that were left...there's probably more to it than that once off failure.
