Looking for Solution to Prevent Exploding Bell Housing
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 8
From: Cockeysville Maryland
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Daytona Jam 1 Veteran
Looking for Solution to Prevent Exploding Bell Housing
Looking for something to prevent a repeat of what I just went through.
I would love to drag race again and will feel much better if I know that any damage from a future clutch problem will be contained.
Looking for blow proof bell housng Kevlar blanket etc.
Not looking for ideas to try but rather for examples of real world applications that are in use today.
All responses are greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
I would love to drag race again and will feel much better if I know that any damage from a future clutch problem will be contained.
Looking for blow proof bell housng Kevlar blanket etc.
Not looking for ideas to try but rather for examples of real world applications that are in use today.
All responses are greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,602
Likes: 20
From: Palm City Florida
Re: Looking for Solution to Prevent Exploding Bell Housing (chucschramm)
Maybe you could use Kevlar Cloth along with a fiberglass resin to sort of wrap the housing. The resin would hold it close to the housing and form a tight seal.
Just like glassing the hull of a boat... :smash:
Just like glassing the hull of a boat... :smash:
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 8
From: Cockeysville Maryland
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Daytona Jam 1 Veteran
Re: Looking for Solution to Prevent Exploding Bell Housing (JMon)
I do not believe it is very common in the C5 now but would think as more and more owners pocket up to lay 450 RWHP to the ground in MN6 transmissioned cars it will only increase.
The bell housing exploded, some of it cutting through the firewall and entering the cabin at my feet. Some other pieces came up and broke the windshield wiper and cracked the windshield while still more cut the coolant hoses and wiring harness.
Still more damaged was caused as the headers, torque tube and O2 Sensors were destroyed.
The oil pan was damaged as was my Bassani Cat Back exhaust system.
Chuck
The bell housing exploded, some of it cutting through the firewall and entering the cabin at my feet. Some other pieces came up and broke the windshield wiper and cracked the windshield while still more cut the coolant hoses and wiring harness.
Still more damaged was caused as the headers, torque tube and O2 Sensors were destroyed.
The oil pan was damaged as was my Bassani Cat Back exhaust system.
Chuck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,577
Likes: 3
From: Southern Maryland Maryland
Re: Looking for Solution to Prevent Exploding Bell Housing (chucschramm)
Summit sells a Trans scattershield blanket for around $100. This wraps around your bell housing. Man I am glad to see you were not hurt. I am adding one when I swap my clutch.
Phillip :eek:
Phillip :eek:
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 532
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From: Tampa FL
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Looking for Solution to Prevent Exploding Bell Housing (chucschramm)
holly crap!!! Did any bit actually hit you? You sure some towel-head didn't put some grenade under your car set to explode on you?
That sounds pretty devistating....
Makes me want to get rid of my stock clutch ASAP
That sounds pretty devistating....
Makes me want to get rid of my stock clutch ASAP
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,450
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From: Kansas City Missouri
Re: Looking for Solution to Prevent Exploding Bell Housing (chucschramm)
This used to be pretty common on older cars, but was usually due the flywheel coming apart under high hp, shock, loads, usually with slicks, many people lost their feet, and/or had damage to their legs. The solution is a billet flywheel, not sure if the vettes com with these, and a shatterproof steel bellhousing. The bellhousing would add some weight, but the clutch could do much more damage than taking out your feet in the C5 due to its rear transaxle. :eek: I would look to the big manufacturers like mccleod for a steel bellhousing if this is a concern, sorry I cant offer any specific examples. Good luck, and glad you werent injured. :cheers: Cars can be replaced, feet, hands, and arms cant, at least not usually :D
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
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From: Cockeysville Maryland
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Daytona Jam 1 Veteran
Re: Looking for Solution to Prevent Exploding Bell Housing (JMon)
jmon,
Incredibly I was not at all hurt except for my broken heart.
I do not/did not have a stock clutch at the time but rather one advertised as one of the best available for the C5.
Chuck
Incredibly I was not at all hurt except for my broken heart.
I do not/did not have a stock clutch at the time but rather one advertised as one of the best available for the C5.
Chuck
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,698
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From: Chapin SC
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Looking for Solution to Prevent Exploding Bell Housing (JMon)
Chuck,
I think a properly secured kevlar type blanket is the way to go. You'll probably get more factual advice if you post in the drag racing section. Are you back on the road now? Regards, Jerry
I think a properly secured kevlar type blanket is the way to go. You'll probably get more factual advice if you post in the drag racing section. Are you back on the road now? Regards, Jerry
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
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From: Cockeysville Maryland
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Re: Looking for Solution to Prevent Exploding Bell Housing (Phil97SVT)
Phillip,
Do you happen to have a part number for what you are considering from Summit?
Thanks
Chuck
Do you happen to have a part number for what you are considering from Summit?
Thanks
Chuck
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,456
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From: Cockeysville Maryland
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Re: Looking for Solution to Prevent Exploding Bell Housing (rrobert22)
Ryan,
The flywheel remained intact after the clutch explosion. It was the insides of the bell hosuing that caused the problem.
As far as all who i have asked no one makes a blow proof bell housing for the C5 that is why I am looking for something else that works.
Bottom line here is it was not the flywheel in my case that was involved in the problem.
Chuck
The flywheel remained intact after the clutch explosion. It was the insides of the bell hosuing that caused the problem.
As far as all who i have asked no one makes a blow proof bell housing for the C5 that is why I am looking for something else that works.
Bottom line here is it was not the flywheel in my case that was involved in the problem.
Chuck
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,456
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From: Cockeysville Maryland
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Re: Looking for Solution to Prevent Exploding Bell Housing (JerryL)
Jerry,
Hooray, I am back on the road again and am able to say that I could add chapters to my saga even up to the point where I had to call the police on the day I arrived to pick up the car.
Hopefully will post all of the important details both good and bad at some future time.
I am told a Kevlar blanket will not fit due to clearance problems between the bell housing, headers and firewall.
If someone actually has this installed I am wiating to hear from them.
Be safe!
Chuck
Hooray, I am back on the road again and am able to say that I could add chapters to my saga even up to the point where I had to call the police on the day I arrived to pick up the car.
Hopefully will post all of the important details both good and bad at some future time.
I am told a Kevlar blanket will not fit due to clearance problems between the bell housing, headers and firewall.
If someone actually has this installed I am wiating to hear from them.
Be safe!
Chuck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,577
Likes: 3
From: Southern Maryland Maryland
Re: Looking for Solution to Prevent Exploding Bell Housing (chucschramm)
http://store.summitracing.com/produc...earchtype=ecat
This runs 79.99 and is SFI rated at 4.1.
Phillip :cheers:
This runs 79.99 and is SFI rated at 4.1.
Phillip :cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,818
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From: SoCal
Re: Looking for Solution to Prevent Exploding Bell Housing (chucschramm)
Can you email me at jmayfield@acclaim.com and let me know what clutch and flywheel this was privately? I'm in the market for one.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,041
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From: Charleston SC
Re: Looking for Solution to Prevent Exploding Bell Housing (jmX)
Vinci Hi-Performance, 3915 El Rey Road, Orlando, Florida 32808 Email: vinci@vincihiperformance.com (407) 292-4500 advertises a PUNISHER CLUTCH SHIELD for 97-02 LS1/LS6 Corvettes at http://www.vincihiperformance.com/new_products.htm
I know nothing about the piece, but since Roger has been in drag racing for ages, I would guess that it is designed to meet this need.
I know nothing about the piece, but since Roger has been in drag racing for ages, I would guess that it is designed to meet this need.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
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From: Cockeysville Maryland
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Daytona Jam 1 Veteran
Re: Looking for Solution to Prevent Exploding Bell Housing (MelloYellow)
What I am looking for is something that will not only protect me but the car.
I need something that will contain the explosion and significantly limit it's ability to damage anything around it, including me.
Chuck
I need something that will contain the explosion and significantly limit it's ability to damage anything around it, including me.
Chuck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,577
Likes: 3
From: Southern Maryland Maryland
Re: Looking for Solution to Prevent Exploding Bell Housing (chucschramm)
That shield I posted is for exactly that reason. Protect you and the car. Are you looking for a metal shield? They have those available. What clutch were you running?
Phillip
Phillip
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
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From: Cockeysville Maryland
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Daytona Jam 1 Veteran
Re: Looking for Solution to Prevent Exploding Bell Housing (Phil97SVT)
Phil,
I am looking for the most practical/realistic way to protect me and my car from the devastation that this type of problem can cause.
To tell you the truth I am more concerned for the protection of the car as it was trashed while I personally came out without a scratch.
I spoke with Roger at Vinci Hi-Performance for a long while today and am not sure even a Kevlar blanket would contain such an explosion.
Vinci has a new product that after talking with Roger looks as though it will make a great deflector to prevent some of the damage caused by a flywheel problem but will not be of any protection for an explosion due to runaway centrifrugal force such as I experienced.
Chuck
I am looking for the most practical/realistic way to protect me and my car from the devastation that this type of problem can cause.
To tell you the truth I am more concerned for the protection of the car as it was trashed while I personally came out without a scratch.
I spoke with Roger at Vinci Hi-Performance for a long while today and am not sure even a Kevlar blanket would contain such an explosion.
Vinci has a new product that after talking with Roger looks as though it will make a great deflector to prevent some of the damage caused by a flywheel problem but will not be of any protection for an explosion due to runaway centrifrugal force such as I experienced.
Chuck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,248
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Re: Looking for Solution to Prevent Exploding Bell Housing (chucschramm)
I've guessed which clutch it is. Have you contacted them? How are they handling it? I assume discussions are ongoing.
I've avoided their products due to their attitude with me on the phone in the past. I'm probably the exception. I know many many that are happy with them. I've had mixed results with them owning up to problems. Good luck! They should stand behind their product.
I'll be going with another SPEC/STAR disc in the future. SPEC has a new Gen2 design with a new PP and Stage 3/4/5 discs available.
[Modified by MelloYellow, 10:10 PM 8/20/2002]
I've avoided their products due to their attitude with me on the phone in the past. I'm probably the exception. I know many many that are happy with them. I've had mixed results with them owning up to problems. Good luck! They should stand behind their product.
I'll be going with another SPEC/STAR disc in the future. SPEC has a new Gen2 design with a new PP and Stage 3/4/5 discs available.
[Modified by MelloYellow, 10:10 PM 8/20/2002]