Do I need an SFI bellhousing?

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metallidart

metallidart

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It is a loooong way off, but I am going to be putting a 4-speed behind my 422. I am expecting 500hp +/-, and it will be in my 73 Dart Sport 340 with 3.23 gears (note:the ratio isn't set in stone, but I think the engine will make enough torque to pull those gears pretty easy.) It isn't a drag car, but I will make some runs with it. Probably run some sticky tires at some point.

I will definitely be running a good sfi-approved flywheel, and a clutch assembly made for that kind of power and abuse. My question: should I run a Lakewood bellhousing also? I keep thinking as long as the other parts are up to par for that kind of power, the Lakewood bell wouldn't be nessecary. For the most part, it will be street abuse with a stiff suspension and non-sticky 17's. Opinions?
 
hi, If you race and go faster than 11.49, then its required. slower , doesn't require one.
 
I did not even think of that. Thanks for bringing that up! I was thinking about my own safety. I guess that answers my question some, as I am hoping to get about that in the quarter if I get some bite. Actually, you gave me what I needed to make a decision. Ah, one more peice of the puzzle falls into place.
 
My clutch alignment tool is an old stub of a broken 833 out of a 65 coronet.
I am damn lucky to have my right foot.
Stock bell-housings do nothing when stuff goes way bad.
 
500 hp.... I would run a scatter shield. Hell I run one and only make 400 a the wheels. I kind of like my feet in tact.
 
Maybe look into the Quik-Time scattershields,they,re smaller than the Lakewoods.I have a Lakewood shield behind my 372 in my 73 Dart Sport 4 speed.I had to do some mods for the Z-bar stud location.:D
 
Has anyone ever heard of a flywheel or clutch coming apart on a slower 12 or 13 second car? I never really considered an SFI bell housing, how likely is an explosion?Is it RPM based or massive torque with sticky tires that rip it apart?
 
CUDA69 said:
Has anyone ever heard of a flywheel or clutch coming apart on a slower 12 or 13 second car? I never really considered an SFI bell housing, how likely is an explosion?Is it RPM based or massive torque with sticky tires that rip it apart?
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Was in a friends Road Runner years ago....on the street.....when his let loose. Nobody got hurt. It ended up entering thru the floor and leaving thru the windshield....Car had a stockish 440 in it...
 
original road runners had cast iron flywheel and clutches. they would explode. a used scatter shield will work for a street car. doesn't have to be SFI legal.
If at track, it runs 11.49 or faster, then SFI is required! its like anything else, abuse it and it will fail!
 
I think an SFI bellhousing is needed, especially after reading what could happen. They aren't a ton more than stock, and I will have a peice of mind (and foot). I know this thing will see some abuse, hopefully I will never actually need the extra security.
 
Just to play devil's advocate, I think the old tech flywheels and clutches might have been some of the issue as well. There are lots of new cars out there that make a ton of power with stock flywheel housings, though I'm guessing the stock housings nowadays might be a little stronger. A new Viper will turn 11's in the 1/4 with a stock clutch and housing. Clutch tech has come quite a ways, but peace of mind is worth it's weight in gold. Better to not have to worry about it than to always be wondering "what if it goes?".
 
Map63Vette said:
Just to play devil's advocate, I think the old tech flywheels and clutches might have been some of the issue as well. There are lots of new cars out there that make a ton of power with stock flywheel housings, though I'm guessing the stock housings nowadays might be a little stronger. A new Viper will turn 11's in the 1/4 with a stock clutch and housing. Clutch tech has come quite a ways, but peace of mind is worth it's weight in gold. Better to not have to worry about it than to always be wondering "what if it goes?".
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I've seen one blow in a 2002 Pontiac Firebird at similar power levels to what the OP is expecting. They totaled out the car.

The cast iron flywheel is more of a worry than anything, however, why play with it? I put one in my own car that only makes 470hp and I have an SFI flywheel as well.
 
Yeah, once you get to modifying things and pushing past what was originally intended a little extra safety never hurts. Just out of curiosity, was that Firebird stock or modified?
 
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