Transmission Shields?

Hey all! The race season is fast approaching here... it will be down to the wire getting everything done in time.

The only thing standing between me and a safety tech limit of 10.00 is a
SFI 4.1 transmission shield. I've looked at a number of aluminum shields that strap over the case but I have pretty tight clearance in the trans tunnel and don't want to chop the floor at this point.

I found this composite (carbon fiber?) shield by CSR that looks like it would work:

CSR Composite Shield

Any of you using a shield? What kind? What problems did you have with fitment and how did you solve them? Anyone know about the composite shield I'm looking at?

Car is a 68 firebird BBC TH400. I might crack the 11.49 barrier this year on the motor but I'd like the option to get into the 10s if I break down and feed her some juice :eek:

Thanks...

-Chris

Have you cosidered a tranny blanket? The one you pictured is probably the smallest hard shell cover you can find. But if the trannies already in the car it will have to come out to install. These blankets can probably be snaked in with the tranny in the car, and its SFI approved also, and 1/2 the cost.



http://www.jegs.com/p/Stroud/747265/10002/-1/11877

Thanks, mooneye... I've thought about a blanket but was told they are really good at retaining heat. Considering this car racks a lot of miles on the street, I want to keep it cool as I can. It would be nice to get it in without dropping the trans though... (those top two bolts are a b@!#tch to get to)

-Chris

:D One nice thing about a blanket is, you can slip it in when you go to the track and then pull it off when you're cruisin. If heats an issue, you could have the best of both worlds for less $$$$ and less agravation.

Thanks, Geezer... Good idea and good point but I am still worried about retaining heat between rounds.... The price is right but on the other hand it would be another item to add to my pre-flight checklist.... it would be so much easier if I broke down and got me a trailer... (and a bigger truck and a bigger house with some land and more garages to put it all on :) I'll work on the wifey:LOL: )

that tranny might not get as hot as you think it does. I was worried about my C-6 with a 4000 coan stahl on the street. it gets more street than stip time. I broke down and bought a B&M gauge at 72.00. It never goes over 190 degrees in 100 degree weather. I was shocked at how cool it ran. And trust me it gets ran hard quite frequently. And if you think about it those blankets were the only thing available in the earlier years of drag racing, with way less adiquit lubricants in all the trannies also.

Thanks for the perspective, mooneye... I'll give it some thought. Looks like I'll have a bit over a week to decide since my cage work won't be done until next week.

One other thing to consider is the effective life of the piece. SFI 4.1 blankets have a life of 2 years before replacement. SFI 4.1 hard shields have a life of 5 years before replacement. Now, if the tech inspectors at your track don't look at this stuff anyway, then I guess it doesn't matter and you could run the blanket forever.

Thanks, techinspector! I wasn't aware of the differing expiration dates...hmm... I'm heading down to one of the local but small speed shops to pick up some rim screws, I'll see if they have anything in stock. I won't need to worry about it for a while cuz this car won't be running 10.99 unless I put spray to it...

-Chris

tech inspector. I thought trans shields were up for re cert after 3 yrs.

Nope. 2008 Rulebook. 5 years for rigid, 2 for flex.

thanks, I should have been reading instead of on the comp.;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by techinspector1

One other thing to consider is the effective life of the piece. SFI 4.1 blankets have a life of 2 years before replacement. SFI 4.1 hard shields have a life of 5 years before replacement. Now, if the tech inspectors at your track don't look at this stuff anyway, then I guess it doesn't matter and you could run the blanket forever.

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Very good info