Who Runs a Diaper?
 

I have been to two races in the past week where 2.5 hours of clean up was caused, and over 10K in damage because the racers didn't have diapers. Today at Piedmont an SFI Flywheel came apart and threw the teeth in the oil pan and both cars crashed because of it. If the car has a diaper there is probably no crash and cleanup is minimal.

So why would you not run a diaper on your car? My son is 18 and he will never go down the track without one.

Herb

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

Herb, I've run a diaper on my cars for 15 years , and it's saved me twice during engine explosions that left pistons ,connecting rods and oil in the diaper ,but not on the track.
I use a Stroud Kevlar SFI rated diaper and dont have any real heat issues when hot lapping.
I know it's an issue with S/SS cars for clearance and heat, but I've put them on several of my customers Bracket doorslammer cars with stock type mounts with no real fittment issues or heat issues.
Many of our local tracks are requireing them on Super Pro cars.

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

I will have a diaper or pan on my Corvette, and would feel safer if everybody had one! I, like Tom understand the issues that some face in placing one of these on their cars. I would think that they exhaust every opportunity with regard to this safety enhancement. In my opinion, I just look at what it could save in a bad situation.

Wade Mahaffey

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

Herb we have built diapers for a lot of Stock/Super stock cars Some of the racers are Larry Griffith,Skillman ,P.B Candies Todd Barton,Wade Owens,Haag Engines, and hundreds of others Just so people know we have diapers that will work with drag link problems and header clearance is not a problem.we have a double heat cloth that will lay on a turbo exhaust .I am a racer also ,so I know your concerns about safety and oil down delays. We have put Diapers on cars from an Original SOX and MARTIN car to the new COPOs so if you want to maybe save your car think about it

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

I have a DRE diaper on my Corvette and I have been happy with it. In a couple of spots, the headers are less than 1/2" away from the block and the diaper lays on the headers. The high heat material used on the diaper in those areas works perfectly.

Jeff Jewell

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

I have one from DRE . I sent my custom pan to him. and it fits better than my socks do. also on some cars I have made belly pans as an option. I know i'll get some flack for this but it's just a good idea to have one, it could save your car.

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

:):):) Hey...purchased a diaper from Dennis/DRE about a year ago...blew-up engine..."big"... after 6-plus years & approx 900 runs on Roush/Yates chassis dyno couple weeks ago...amazing...no "mess" at all @ Roush's...contained it all...ez to imagine one of our kids going down track...oiling rear tires...most probably going on his lid...maybe best purchase safety-wise in years...my wallet got hurt a bit...a fresh Roush piece is in place now...but could have been way worse...thanx again to Dennis/DRE...his diapers flat fit...and...contain...'nuff said :D:D:D Drake p.s. won't ever have a race car again...without one!!!

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

When we had this discussion at the track yesterday a guy with a Stocker said "Great another item we have to buy" Mean while a stocker was what blew up at Farmington last week and dumped oil from the 330 to the finish line.

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

watch a competitor destroy his car early this year, lucky to be alive. First thing I noticed when what was left of the car was back in his pit, was the hole in the side of the pan that I wouldn't have see IF there was a diaper on that car.

Having experienced first hand the benefit to having a diaper after my engine kicked a rod in the lights last year, dumping 7 quarts and the rod in the diaper, I'm a believer and will never race without one. No cleanup was required, minimal down time for my competitors and my car as well myself were unscathed.

Thanks Dennis aka DIAPERMAN

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

How did the car get a hole in the oil pan? If a diaper was on the car not sure how that will happen if the came from the outside.

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

Seems like whenever this topic comes up, the thread always turns into an advertising campaign.

If you want to put a diaper on your ride, by all means do it.

We have already been through this battle once. We don't need any more enhancements to the S/SS rulebook. Thanks anyway for all your "concern".

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

I still haven't figured out why racers would complain about a $300 dollar engine diaper when people have there life savings invested into their racecar. I bought one from DRE about 3 years ago. It's a lot cheaper than replacing your car if something ever does happen. I wish NHRA would make it a rule!!! For one, it would save a lot of race cars and the main reason, prevent racers from getting injured!!! Just my two cents, probably ain't even worth that!

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

didn't, kicked a rod.

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

Agreed, should be required on EVERY car regardless of class and ET.

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

a diaper rule makes more sense than having to buy collector tethers

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

Dont go to the trouble of changing front chassis or headers we can make diapers to work on factory front clips .It is alot cheaper than changing all these things

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

How about we change this thread to "Lets see some pics of belly pans or diapers on a Stock or SS car.

I wanted my car builder to fab up a belly pan last year. He was full of negatives on a Super Stock car... My headers touch the block amongst other issues, but I will voluntarily put something on over the winter.

A diaper (belly pan) is loaded with positives that I can see...

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

SSDA do you run a new Hemi I have the 6.1 Diaper on the shelf Larry Griffith help us develope it call me if you want

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

Dennis, No its a 426 Street Hemi. Very tight confines... Headers touch the block, tube/ centerlink through pan, etc...

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

Diaperman. If I remember right you had a lt1 camaro at one time. Do you have a pattern for a Diaper using a stock pan? If so how much? Want to get one before spring.
Thanks

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

We just sent 4 Hemi Diapers to Bartons We do these all the time call me if interested Tue Rob I have a pattern for the LT1 call me Tue

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

I'd hate to see anything happen to that car [or you] ! You should be able to make a pan work ,but I know from working on a friends SS/ DA Challenger ,there is very little chance of a workable diaper on your car.

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

Why don't you take the time to explain the process assuming you don't have an engine / chassis pattern. My '70 AMX 390 4-speed comes to mind but the discussion should apply across the board. Please include pricing and lead times.

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

Jeff we have patterns for AMX Fill out build sheet on my web site ,send pictures if you can of engine from underneath the car .Then I will call you about options I deal with every customer myself. Price starts at $ 169.00 and highest price for full custom is $ 550.00 We have most diapers in stock Custom lead time is about a week now but will get busy towards the first of the year Thanks feel free to call me with any questions.

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

What are some pros and cons of a diaper vs a pan? I like them both, but being a fabricator, I was leaning toward something really nice. My car is a 58 Corvette and the headers exit the engine bay over the frame rail, and behind the front tire. It is totally wide open around the engine, and the front suspension cross member is out in front of the engine. My situation is advantageous, and not typical of these S/S cars of today. I can fabricate a beautiful piece that would resemble a floor panel. I feel that I could provide attachment points on the frame that would facilitate quick and easy removal of the pan for any reason. The pan would have absorbing pads on the interior. The diapers that I have seen, seem to have straps and/or portions of the bag that bolt to various things on the engine and look to be somewhat aggravating to deal with. Don't get me wrong, I love the diaper for what it does and they are very well built. I just think that for the racer that says "forget it, I can't get one on my stuff" they may be a very good...(and maybe a better option) for them. Another thing I like about the pan deal is that there is more room around the engine for visual inspection. There are other advantages that I will keep to myself for now. Either way, a device/component is good and cheap insurance under that race motor. Think about it!

Wade Mahaffey

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

Wade as you know the diaper comes up the side of the block just below the heads.So if the engine fails it will contain everything to get you stopped .The problem with pan ,it is only 2 to 3 inches tall so if the engine fails and blows oil or water out there is so much turbulance around engine the liquid will not make it all to the pan and stay in it.Our diapers only have 4 straps on them so we keep it easy on and off.Also just for the record I am not pushing Diaper rules , we build diapers for racers that want to protect their cars and drivers.We are sportsman racers also

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

just like everything else, custom made is the case for me. I don't know where the 3 inches deep comes from, must be a minimum spec. If the pan or diaper is not mandatory, you could make one that is 1 inch deep, and I would argue that it would be better than nothing. I would certainly be looking for every advantage for maximum coverage as I design and develop my pan system. I think these containment devices whether the diaper, pan, combination or any other device are the way to go. In extreme situations, a base fluid tight pan sufficient to hold the contents of the engine (water/oil) as minimum depth, could have additional splash curtains strategically placed to direct fluid into the pan even though they are not actually attached to the pan. These sheet metal curtains can attach to anything that will hold them in position. The bottom line is that if you want to overcome and obstacle, you can but it will take effort It should be a case by case issue just to find out which will perform best for your engine, components, and chassis circumstances.

Wade Mahaffey

Re: Who Runs a Diaper?
 

I agree I have seen your work you would do it the correct way.But I have seen some belly pans on cars with no splash panels and no obsorbant pads also.plus the steering on a lot of cars is the problem.Also your average racer could get a lot of money wrapped up in a custom pan.I hope racers just run whatever works the best for them but just run something