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When racing - use race parts!

Posted: June 24th, 2012, 8:39 pm
by Abarthnorway - Remi L
Never really thought of the importance of the clutch quality before - now I do.
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This clutch exploded at approx 9500 rpm (going to 3rd instead of 5th.....) and completely tore the bellhousing 360`, cutting cables, crushing the radiator, breaking parts off the gearbox casing and even made a hole in the bonnet. Pressure plate and clutch plate totally gone - nothing left.

I have used this manufacturer twice before without problems, but not anymore. For racing - use proven racing parts only.

BEWARE.


Remi Lovhoiden
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Re: When racing - use racing parts!

Posted: June 24th, 2012, 10:42 pm
by TomLouwrier
I hope you're OK, Remi?

Tom

Re: When racing - use racing parts!

Posted: June 25th, 2012, 8:51 am
by Guy Croft
Not good!

Read my post on Rishal's thread...

G

Re: When racing - use racing parts!

Posted: June 25th, 2012, 10:37 am
by Abarthnorway - Remi L
Hi!

Guy - I have read Your comments on Rishals thread.......

Everyone is ok - condition of engine/gearbox unknown - will begin to strip down on wedensday.

Steep learning curve for me - but loads of fun as well - GC head with the right setup deliver good power!!! Car now much more powerful than the last race with old engine.

Will keep You posted regarding damages - not funny - might be a tough, but useful lesson:-)


Remi

Re: When racing - use racing parts!

Posted: June 27th, 2012, 9:46 pm
by tricky
Whoah ! That made a bil ol' mess, lucky no one was hurt there.

Re: When racing - use racing parts!

Posted: June 29th, 2012, 9:32 pm
by Abarthnorway - Remi L
Hi All!


Got lucky this time - engine still in one piece, gearbox and differential seems ok when turning, but is not opened yet.

Upgrade to steel flywheel and race clutch this time - an incident like this should not happen at all - at least not twice.

Gearbox barely hangs on to engine by the bar going to the rear engine mount, and the differential housing.


Remi Lovhoiden

Re: When racing - use racing parts!

Posted: June 30th, 2012, 5:57 pm
by tricky
Makes me pleased I had the flywheel doweld to the crank now !

Re: When racing - use racing parts!

Posted: July 2nd, 2012, 7:15 pm
by robert kenney
Yes, very happy to hear no one was injured.
There are many grim stories of deaths from clutch explosions in drag racing. So big was the problem that in the NHRA SFI approved bellhousings (clutch cans) and surrounding balistic blankets are required. The problem still exists and drivers are still injured from these events.
You might consider a more robust bell yourself. Google clutch explosions for further reading and carnage...

Re: When racing - use racing parts!

Posted: July 17th, 2012, 1:34 am
by Abarthnorway - Remi L
Hi!

Lesson learned here....seems the pressure plate didn`t handle the abuse. GC prepped flywheel still fine - but I will only use pure steel from now on.

I will post some more pics when I get the time - looked like Hiroshima in there. Smoke from car is gear oil from smashed diff housing. Only damage discovered so far is one bearing on colotti diff - ....and - of course - the complete bellhousing/gearbox housing.

Remi

Re: When racing - use race parts!

Posted: July 17th, 2012, 9:32 am
by Guy Croft
Actually shows how good the OE FW is. Assuming it had no cracks (only in my exp ever induced by abuse - clutch slipping/loose bolts etc) and properly fitted.

We stopped using them for purely commercial/practical reasons (we only use steel with integral ring gear now).

I've never actually heard of a sensibly machined/balanced cast-iron FW burst per-se through any inherent fault in the FW.

GC