New for 2014
 

http://www.lokar.com/product-pgs/dra...her-system.png

SECTON 20: GENERAL REGULATIONS, ENGINE: 1, 1.3 EXHAUST (Page 3)
(2/4/2013)
All cars must be equipped with exhaust collectors, headers, or stacks installed to
direct exhaust out of car body to rear of car, away from driver and fuel tank. No
part of the exhaust system may be routed through the driver’s compartment.
Exhaust collectors/stacks must be securely fastened (i.e., metal connector
straps, bolted, welded, etc.) to prevent loss of collector/stacks during competition.
Effective Jan. 1, 2014, removable multi-piece exhaust collectors/stacks must be
securely fastened with an NHRA accepted header tether, such as Lokar’s
1400009 or 1401009 to prevent loss of collector/stacks during competition.

Re: New for 2014
 

Well....there goes your in car heater!

Re: New for 2014
 

Kyle and RJ, your cars should sound great with Cherrie Bombs

Re: New for 2014
 

Wait until you hear how my LSxxx sounds with the Tri Y's from my header hippie.

Re: New for 2014
 

Can I get my baling wire SFI approved?

Re: New for 2014
 

Only if purchased from Ace Hardware Stores... :)


I would be interested to know how many cars loose their headers and collectors during a race every year.

Interesting there is only 1 vendor for the product too and they probably have a patent or copyright on the product.

Re: New for 2014
 

Unbelievable....the enhancements keep coming. What else can they make us put a tether on that can come loose? Driveshafts....balancers.....hoods? And a company has already "stepped up" with a solution. It's obvious that common sense left the building long ago!

Re: New for 2014
 

SECTON 20: GENERAL REGULATIONS, ENGINE: 1, 1.3 EXHAUST (Page 3)
(2/4/2013)

Exhaust collectors/stacks must be securely fastened (i.e., metal connector
straps, bolted, welded, etc.) to prevent loss of collector/stacks during competition.
Effective Jan. 1, 2014, removable multi-piece exhaust collectors/stacks must be
securely fastened with an NHRA accepted header tether, such as Lokar’s
1400009 or 1401009 to prevent loss of collector/stacks during competition.

So even if the collector is strapped, bolted or welded to prevent loss a teather is still required. Certainly makes a lot of sense to me.....NOT!

Re: New for 2014
 

And thanks for the "Installation grace period" cause I know damn well that there will be ton of cars at Pomona 2014 with out this chicken wire crap on their headers! So am I to understand Lokcraps wire is stronger than my welder. Maybe they can install it in all the buildings in California and make them earthquake proof too! Are they paying contingency for this?? Makes me think I was right all along for holding up my winter cars exhaust with an old coat hanger. I'm gonna go take my Prozac now that I'm wound up.

Re: New for 2014
 

Well hope they are secured..

Got a good jump on a 9 second Nova that blew past me in the traps at Cecil.
It disgorged its exhaust system in front of my car.
Was lucky enough to dodge the pieces at 100 mph...

FWIW not the first time had to avoid crap falling off a fast car.

D

Re: New for 2014
 

Dale , I don't think "welded " would be considered "removable"...
Maybe it does ..with these guys..You never know.


http://www.lokar.com/product-pgs/dra...g.html?t=34740
Nice! Classy!

Re: New for 2014
 

That is funny :D

Re: New for 2014
 

What a joke! It BOLTS on. So their "Approved" bolts are more secure than your bolts.

http://www.lokar.com/product-pgs/dra...g.html?t=34740

Re: New for 2014
 

No kidding. Typical overreaction .
How about "Two welded tabs or straps on each collector, 1/4 -20 bolts, lock washers required"
Then have a tech get down on the ground and look under the backside with a mirror.
I know. "fat" chance of that happening...(Not you, Travis)

Re: New for 2014
 

I agree with Mark; welded tabs with the proper fasteners should be acceptable. If NHRA still has a concern, then use and aviation high temperature lock washer such as the NAS1061, and use a high temperature aviation lock nut such as the MS21046 which is good to 800°F.

Re: New for 2014
 

So this "tether" will keep any loose exhaust tubing "contained" under your car, potentially bouncing around and beating on your fuel/trans lines, oil/trans pan and/or the driveshaft?:confused:

I also wonder if this has any affect on cars using full exhaust systems, with or without mufflers.

Re: New for 2014
 

What about an exposed brake line, or if you get really lucky and it hits/bangs your shifter linkage say maybe into reverse,Then what???

Re: New for 2014
 

Not for nothing but a few years ago a T/S car lost a collector at Atco doing a burnout and launched it into two spectators.I Very horrible scene.I know one of them and he's still feeling the effects.

Re: New for 2014
 

This is just stupid or a payoff to lokar!

JimR

Re: New for 2014
 

Eddie, I hear ya, but have you ever seen tech guys check collectors to see if they are securely fastened? I haven't.

Who got your seat in the Geo?

Re: New for 2014
 

I saw two collectors fall off during burnouts last year. A Top Sportsman car in Denver ran over his while smoking the tires which ejected it out from the rear of the car like a pitching machine. I believe It hit a lady in the face and she required medical attention. Could have been much worse however.
You can't expect the tech people to crawl under a car that is 3" off the ground and check all the bolts. Besides, maybe the "required strap" company it will pay contingency on this.

TP

Re: New for 2014
 

x2

Re: New for 2014
 

Ed, sounds terrible but some questions need to be ask. What was the cause of the failure? Did the collector have bolts in it to start with (I have seen a couple times cars without bolts- just drove on or just one bolt)? Did a weld fail?

As a side note, has anyone seen any 1/4 bolts sheared in two on a collector? How about any tab weld that broke and the collector fell off?

I have been enhanced enough to go IHRA racing!

Re: New for 2014
 

This enhancement just addresses the collector falling of, what about other stuff? How about a piece of 1/4" ballistic plate the width of the car hanging from the bumper dragging the ground. This would deflect most everything falling of the car!

Not making light of the people getting hurt but in each case I would bet the bolts were left out, not routinely checked for tightness or the welds were cracked and routine checks under the car for this were not performed. What happens when the bolts are left out of the Lokar tether and the collector?

Re: New for 2014
 

Maybe I should put a couple of them high tech lanyards on my strut rods.
Mark Madison

Re: New for 2014
 

I suppose another way NHRA could address this issue is to DQ or even fine any racer that has parts fall off his car during an event. Which would you prefer?

Header bolts are notorious for vibrating loose for obvious reasons. My collectors are welded, but when bolts are used they should be used with locking type nuts. Most aren't.

Re: New for 2014
 

I am not an engineer but what am I missing here? My collectors have 2 substantial tabs on each collector and bolted together using locking nuts. These locking nuts can sometimes be a son of a b to undo when needed. I did go to the Lokar site and had a look at this new fangled clothes line apparatus, while at that site I also tried to find their DOOR TETHERS that all the traditional stockers will be required to have in 2014 when all these new "STOCK" approved cars running in the 8's by then are blowing our doors off!

Re: New for 2014
 

I agree with you. My nuts are locked and don't fall off.

Re: New for 2014
 

Some guys have their wife keep their nuts in her purse...


Dennis Breeden

Re: New for 2014
 

So their tabs with a bolted construction is better than tabs welded to the tube with one of our bolts. Oh yeah, their design is far superior as it has two additional ferules with yet two more connections. After all, four connections are greater than two!

Re: New for 2014
 

Well....at least they are safe and won't hit someone during a burn out.

Re: New for 2014
 

How about any tab weld that broke and the collector fell off?

I have been enhanced enough to go IHRA racing!

In response to the above question:

Yes, We have had it personally happen on our SC car at a race last year. NOT during the burn out, BUT ON A RUN. Weld Broke on the tabs with bolts holding the collector in place. Collector proceeded to cut rear tire, and be projected out into the field approx. 50 yds. we did get lucky as it broke on the side where the jersey barrier is and not another car, and we were able to stop safely. We have since worked with the header company and "beefed" up the tabs/bolts. Do you currently do inspections on your set up?
We do because they are in plain view, and it still happened. Our headers are only 2yrs. old. I dont believe that this rule is a bad one, and I dont know the cost, but dont think for one minute this couldnt happen to you.

Debbie Moses

Re: New for 2014
 

Lelchook just sent me a pair of these.

http://blu.stb.s-msn.com/i/B1/F6FC8F..._cYhbVGgij.jpg

Re: New for 2014
 

That is exactly what NHRA should do instead of forcing every racer to spend money because some do not check there stuff or use the correct hardware. I am under my car after 40 runs checking for loose bolts, etc. I have replaced grade 5 collector bolts many times because the threads look bad from overtightening. I switched to grade 8 bolts, lockwashers and crimped locknuts.

Re: New for 2014
 

Sorry that this happened to you. I do check under my car every 40 runs for loose bolts and the collectors. The weld on the collector tab is roughly 1/2" long (or should be). This does not fail instantly, a crack will begin and grow over time to the point it no longer has enough strength to hold the collector. The goal is to catch this with regular maintenance before it gives up.

Re: New for 2014
 

The tabs will break instantly if you have tire shake. Been there, done that! The only thing holding my collector on was the evac tube. maybe we can get them approved as a tether?

Phil Unruh

Re: New for 2014
 

Everyone likes to say they stay on top of things and their stuff will never fall off.
But I've seen many cars at the track and some in my shop have only 1 bolt with no lock nut holding on the collector ,or an old worn out spring, " because I need to be able to take it off to change the trans or converter"
I had a baffel from a muffler come out and cut a tire , and that was bad enough.
I'd hate to see the damage from a collector .
We've all seen this happen at the track, and unfortunately it took someone getting seriously hurt to prompt this rule.

Re: New for 2014
 

I'll just weld my collectors on. I never take them off anyway. Mine does go up on the lift between races anyway, the inspectors have no way of knowing that.

Re: New for 2014
 

It's another knee jerk cover all the basis fix to a very small problem. I've had my collectors held on with springs for 8 years and never had one come off even after smacking the pavement from a wheelstand gone badly. Maybe the spring keeps the tab from breaking, I don't know.

Re: New for 2014
 

You know mine wont fall off.