homemade scattershield

[hamondale]

I would like to consider an explosion-proof bellhousing for my Austin (3.4L iron head, BW T5), but as far as I can tell, it doesn't look like anybody makes one for the 660s(?)
I know that there are transmission blankets out there for racing applications, I think they are made of kevlar. Since I can't get an XP bellhousing, I was thinking maybe I could make some lightweight scattershield panels adjacent to my stock aluminum bellhousing out of woven kevlar fabric and resin. I can get the kevlar fabric thru McMaster Carr. Would probably use polyester resin, same as for fiberglass work.
Anybody ever hear of this being done? Opinions? Dumb idea? Might work? Comments?
Thanx

[geoffinbc]

Completly un necessary unless your racing sanction requires and SFI approved housing. Your not going to destroy a clutch with the power levels we run.

[patgizz]

what kind of racing, if any, are you doing?

scattershield/blanket is something that will need to be SFI approved for drag racing - hence not homemade. other types of racing would allow for something homemade. i'd not worry too much but if you are that concerned you could probably laminate some kevlar to the tranny tunnel under the carpeting and have some protection.

[hamondale]

Thanks for the repiles. This is mainly a street car, Austin Healey Sprite. (There are some pix at http://tinyurl.com/5a92d) But I do plan to drag race it at some point, probably next year after putting in a heavier duty T5 used in V8 apps. Also a new clutch and probably a Fidanza aluminum flywheel.
I'm just concerned because where I sit in the car relative to the drive train, my right shin is only about 6" from the bellhousing and there is only a vertical panel of ~18 ga. sheet metal in between.
Also not shown in the photos, I just replaced the Vega rear with a narrowed Ford 8" w/four link and coilovers. The wheelwells are tubbed and I have 245-50R14's on the rear. So I can run ~10" slicks, and it should bite pretty good. Hence a lot more stress on everything forward in the drive train.
Assume the motor is good for 200 - 250hp, and the car with me in it will weight about 2100lb.
I know little at this point on the details of what safety rules I'll be subjected to at the drags. Haven't gone to the track since late 70s. (Yeah, I am old.) I just want to do a little bracket racing and see how it runs. The car will probably be around 13 sec. quarter, so I doubt the really heavy duty safety provisions will be mandatory.
So I'm considering this for my own peace of mind. IF the clutch/plate/flywheel were to grenade, my lower legs would be pretty chewed up.
But I'm listening. If you guys think that there's no way that combo can break up a Fidanza flywheel and a good quality clutch, that's useful info.
Thanx -

[farmerz24]

i worried about this also and made my own out of 1/4inch metal. Also heated it and bent it around the trans and bolted it to the bellhousing using the bolts for the transmission/engine connection.

Hopefully it wont get tested

[patgizz]

i worried about this also and made my own out of 1/4inch metal. Also heated it and bent it around the trans and bolted it to the bellhousing using the bolts for the transmission/engine connection.

Hopefully it wont get tested

that would double the weight of his car

IIRC they don't check SFI spec on parts until they're required for your E.T. and 13.xx doesn't require a scattershield. however, it's good for safety's sake in the event something does happen. it shouldn't, but things happen and even parts under stock driving conditions(nevermind launching on slicks) can and do break.

[RacerX11]

i worried about this also and made my own out of 1/4inch metal. Also heated it and bent it around the trans and bolted it to the bellhousing using the bolts for the transmission/engine connection.

Do you have any pictures of this setup? I had planned to do the exact same thing with my car.
Thanks!

[farmerz24]

ill try and get some pics, but its buried in the maze of intercooler / turbo piping i am running. had to notch it quite a bit to fit in the crossover/collector.