oil retention devices

[Chris "drooze" Wertman]

Originally Posted by darkside

FYI, I race TD now but have raced in Stock and won a National in Super Stock so maybe, just maybe my opinion counts.

Here, no......

Not unless you are perfect, never disagree, have at least 10 world records, give your full name address and social secutiry number. AND are over 55

(sorry just kidding couldnt resist

Im feeling punchy today.

[SSDiv6]

This is my $0.02 on the subject...

Putting oil retention devices on Stock and Super Stock cars is just ridiculous when there is not data to support the rule implementation. The addition of the device is just a ticking bomb inside the engine compartment of these cars.

I noticed many of the Super Classes racers making comments as regards to their use. Nevertheless, the Super Class cars do not launch, or operate the same as a Stocker or Super Stocker. I have never seen a Super Class car drag the bumper during a launch, or crush the headers or oil pans after a big wheelstand.

What is NHRA going to do when the first Stocker or Super Stocker catches fire due to a blanket that is soaked in oil and makes contact with the hot headers? Are they are going to require a fire extinguishing system afterward?

Engine oil have a flash point that varies from 350 Degrees F to 503 Degrees F.
The flash point is the temperature at which an oil gives off vapors that can be ignited with a flame held over the oil.

Just imagine a contained engine compartment environment in which the exhaust headers have temperatures exceeding twice or more the flash point of oil, with a blanket soaked in engine oil and the results after the ignition of the oil vapors. Let's not forget the additional sources of ignition such as the fuel system and other electrical components that will burn too after the oil ignites...

Do not get me wrong; I am a proponent for safety. However, there are many other considerations that need to be looked at first.

[Chris "drooze" Wertman]

Im not really disagreeing, I see valid points and I think Mandating it sucks, I choose to run one now. but we have oodles of clearance and well....after 2 oil mishaps...

Ill just say this, I can run really really fast when crap is on fire.

I cannot run really really fast when in a barrel roll........

Originally Posted by SSDiv6

This is my $0.02 on the subject...

Putting oil retention devices on Stock and Super Stock cars is just ridiculous when there is not data to support the rule implementation. The addition of the device is just a ticking bomb inside the engine compartment of these cars.

I noticed many of the Super Classes racers making comments as regards to their use. Nevertheless, the Super Class cars do not launch, or operate the same as a Stocker or Super Stocker. I have never seen a Super Class car drag the bumper during a launch, or crush the headers or oil pans after a big wheelstand.

What is NHRA going to do when the first Stocker or Super Stocker catches fire due to a blanket that is soaked in oil and makes contact with the hot headers? Are they are going to require a fire extinguishing system afterward?

Engine oil have a flash point that varies from 350 Degrees F to 503 Degrees F.
The flash point is the temperature at which an oil gives off vapors that can be ignited with a flame held over the oil.

Just imagine a contained engine compartment environment in which the exhaust headers have temperatures exceeding twice or more the flash point of oil, with a blanket soaked in engine oil and the results after the ignition of the oil vapors. Let's not forget the additional sources of ignition such as the fuel system and other electrical components that will burn too after the oil ignites...

Do not get me wrong; I am a proponent for safety. However, there are many other considerations that need to be looked at first.

[mannymen]

SSDiv6, The diapers have a diaper pad within the actual diaper itself so it doesn't soak through. They are also replaceable once they get soaked. Big Wheelies and smashing oil pans makes even more sense why we should have them. I can guarantee you that if the diaper is installed properly that oil will not touch your headers nor the ground. Plus the outer blanket has a heat/burn resistant material attached to it. the diaper is on your pan very snug so nothing is coming through it.

I'm not trying to sell anyone it, but just trying to educate those about them.

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by mannymen

SSDiv6, The diapers have a diaper pad within the actual diaper itself so it doesn't soak through. They are also replaceable once they get soaked. Big Wheelies and smashing oil pans makes even more sense why we should have them. I can guarantee you that if the diaper is installed properly that oil will not touch your headers nor the ground. Plus the outer blanket has a heat/burn resistant material attached to it. the diaper is on your pan very snug so nothing is coming through it.

I'm not trying to sell anyone it, but just trying to educate those about them.

Manny, with all due respect, I have seen the diapers prior to installation and have inspected them close. I am not going to go in to the technical details, but in my job, I deal with material flammability issues for aviation applications in a daily basis. The heat, chemicals and open environment in the race cars, can and will deteriorate the material with time. In the past I have addressed many rule issues with both NHRA and SFI, just to be snubbed.

[Ed Fernandez]

Originally Posted by mannymen

SSDiv6, The diapers have a diaper pad within the actual diaper itself so it doesn't soak through. They are also replaceable once they get soaked. Big Wheelies and smashing oil pans makes even more sense why we should have them. I can guarantee you that if the diaper is installed properly that oil will not touch your headers nor the ground. Plus the outer blanket has a heat/burn resistant material attached to it. the diaper is on your pan very snug so nothing is coming through it.

I'm not trying to sell anyone it, but just trying to educate those about them.

The way the rules are NOW you can install a diaper if you want to.If you do go right on and do so.Just don't say we all should install them.If we oil down the track shame on us.
If your car burns to the ground with a diaper on it shame on you.
You say the diaper has an absorbant pad.Do you know for a fact it will absorb 5-6 qts. of oil.Also there's the possibility if you crack the block bad enough now you'll also have to deal with water.
And what if you have a diaper on the car and oil/water still spills on the race surface?What then? Do you ask the manufacturer for a refund?
Let's go back to getting the run away HP factors back in line.

[mannymen]

Hey guys I'm just trying to make myself and the driver next to me as safe as possible during that 9-10 seconds of having a good time. The DRR folks have a lot of experience with diapers, so I'll let them answer your questions, but from their feedback 8 to 15 plus qts isn't a problem. The diapers or at least mine cover my entire (both sides) BBC block, so the same should apply to the water.

[Jim Bailey]

I grind the K member to gain 1/16" clearence for the oil pan. ( It still hits) I grind both sides of my block, including the Oil Pan rail to gain 1/16" clearence for header tubes. My Header Tubes also wrap around the frame and Tie Rod. With that said, If we have to run diapers, I will somehow get one on my car, However, I promise you if I hang the rods out, I will oil the track and risk a very good chance of a fire. ....There are over a Million safe Air Plane Flights per year. The Media only reports the half a dozen or so crashes. Maybe "ALL" Airplanes should be equiped with Parachutes to let them come down gently. JB

[Floyd Gomez]

OK. I talked to Dennins this morning at DRE and I have to say this guy has his stuff together. He is very imformative about his product and does what he can to keep the cost down for sportsman. If you have clearance issues give him a call. He seems to have a soloution for any issue. If mandated I will only buy from him.

[Chris "drooze" Wertman]

Originally Posted by Jim Bailey

I grind the K member to gain 1/16" clearence for the oil pan. ( It still hits) I grind both sides of my block, including the Oil Pan rail to gain 1/16" clearence for header tubes. My Header Tubes also wrap around the frame and Tie Rod. With that said, If we have to run diapers, I will somehow get one on my car, However, I promise you if I hang the rods out, I will oil the track and risk a very good chance of a fire. ....There are over a Million safe Air Plane Flights per year. The Media only reports the half a dozen or so crashes. Maybe "ALL" Airplanes should be equiped with Parachutes to let them come down gently. JB

I can see your point.

Im sure you see mine in our desire to run one.

Now INSTEAD of making it Mandatory Across....hows this ?

Say up the Oildown to $500 at Nats, $250 Div.

And you sign a waiver saying you declined to use it, so if something bad happens then you were aware of this item specifically and not "oh I didnt know"

95% of stockers it sounds arent and wont oildown.....

Leave it to the car, but make sure they are aware of a stiffer penalty if they do and make sure the NHRA is covered.

If you wanna take your nutsack into your own hand and never have any question (as in i.e. hae been raing 30 years in a stocker and never oiled down) then cool.....

If the $500 seems stiff well thats the cost of a custom made unit.

And if you choose to run one as per the NHRA and do oildown no penalty.....

Seems reasonable to me and should make everyone happy.

If youre part of the "we dont want one" then cool you dont have to.
If youre part of the "well Id rather not but dont want to pay $500 if I do" then youre covered.
If youre like us and its not a question of If but rather when, then we have our option too...

Am I making sense ?

I should say this idea is in LIEU Of making it MANDATORY, not that I think this idea SHOULD be implemented, but would you rather have THIS ? Or Have it Mandatory ? (in the case they are going to make it madatory)

OPTIONS on alternatives are needed, not just complaints, when the NHRA makes a decision it will be because of LACK of options and alternative.....brainstorm a bit instead of just yes Ill do it, no I wont....MAYBE just MAYBE and option thats acceptable to all will happen.

In the abscence of it and rather just complaints on why you dont want it, it will happen. Thats my guess....come up with plans and alternatives, bounce them here get them to the SRAC reps....