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View Full Version : Track says I need a driveshaft loop



slvr03dakrt
03-20-2008, 12:48 PM
Well i go to the track the other night and they say i need a driveshaft loop. I ask him why he says b/c I have on some sticky tires. I told him they were drag radials but he insisted I needed one but he let me run. Looks like i have a new project to work on. It does seem kind of pointless to run a driveshaft loop on a 14 second truck. So i'm going to run some nitrous to justify the installation of the loop.

Typer00_0371
03-20-2008, 02:51 PM
that rule was implemented last year.. if you want to run drag radials, et streets, or slicks on a RWD vehicle you must have a DS Loop. You can get a universal loop from lakewood for under $30 that bolts to the floor pan. or there are guys on here that make one that bolts into the frame rails..

uwntsumrtII
03-20-2008, 05:05 PM
i don't think the CC's can use the Lakewood loop due to the oversized DS.

mtlcafan79
03-20-2008, 05:11 PM
You need a loop when running DRs, ET Skreets, etc. You also need one going 13.99 or faster on street tires IIRC. The lakewood loops are only meant to work with 3" drive shafts. Anything larger will require kustomization.

fastdodgert
03-20-2008, 05:13 PM
only the CC R/T's have the oversized driveshaft. the RC R/T's have the smaller width driveshafts.

1hotkadota
03-20-2008, 06:42 PM
Can I make a DS loop out of square tubing? I can get a butt load for free, but I'm not sure how well it will work.

mtlcafan79
03-20-2008, 06:50 PM
2.4 DRIVELINE

On any car in which the driver sits over or in back of the rearend center section, a suitable protective shield of .120-inch (3 mm) minimum thickness steel plate must be installed for those units with universal joints securely mounted to the rearend center section and the bellhousing adapter. Where possible, couplers are recommended in place of U-joints. For straight couplers, the minimum requirement is .063-inch (1.6 mm) aluminum which must contain an inspection cover for removal and inspection of the coupler, securely mounted to the rearend center section and the bellhousing adapter, or as noted in Class Requirements. In place of a crossmember, in the vicinity of the front universal joint, all cars in competition using open driveshafts, must have a retainer loop 360-degrees of enclosure, 1/4-inch (6.35 mm) minimum thickness and 2-inches (5.1 cm) wide, or 7/8-inch (22.2 mm) x .065-inch (1.65 mm) welded steel tubing, securely mounted and located within 6-inches (15.2 cm) of the front universal joint for support of the driveshaft in event of U-joint failure. Recommended the loop be round rather than oblong to minimize loading on loop. Open drivelines passing any part of the driver's body must be completely enclosed in 1/8-inch (3.2 mm) minimum thickness steel plate, securely mounted to the frame or frame structure.

1hotkadota
03-20-2008, 07:35 PM
Damn.

Guess no square tubing for me. And that sucks, cause it's easier for me to use and cut square.

Fuc:finger:kers.


Thanks mtlcafan79.:woot:

Mopar318
03-20-2008, 10:37 PM
I believe mine to be NHRA legal. The rules do not state anything saying round tube must be used. I used square tubing because I didn't have the right die to bend the radius.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d48/Mopar318/Turboinstall017.jpg



http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d48/Mopar318/Turboinstall018.jpg

1hotkadota
03-20-2008, 10:45 PM
I thought I had seen a square tubed one before. I'm copying you dude!:biggthumpup:

John
03-20-2008, 10:50 PM
damn i didnt know you had to run a loop for DRs, a freaking street legal tire.... oh well I guess I will add that to the list. Just seems dumb for a 14 second truck.

1hotkadota
03-20-2008, 10:54 PM
I wish I had a 14 second truck to bitch about that stuff.:jester:

One of these years.

Mopar318
03-20-2008, 11:05 PM
damn i didnt know you had to run a loop for DRs, a freaking street legal tire.... oh well I guess I will add that to the list. Just seems dumb for a 14 second truck.

Its smart. If you have ever been in a vehicle when the drive shaft came apart you would put one in every ride you get.:woot:

slammedR/T
03-20-2008, 11:11 PM
According to my 2008 rule book,page 68, drivline 2:4 at the end it says
"Driveshaft loop required on all cars running 13.99(*8.59)or quicker and utilizing slicks ; except vehicles running 11.49(*7.35) seconds or slower utilizing street tires.


DEPUTY

John
03-20-2008, 11:33 PM
Its smart. If you have ever been in a vehicle when the drive shaft came apart you would put one in every ride you get.:woot:

actually happened on my old 95 yeah that was pretty scary, just glad it didnt catch on anything. maybe I will do one anyway, its cheap and easy


According to my 2008 rule book,page 68, drivline 2:4 at the end it says
"Driveshaft loop required on all cars running 13.99(*8.59)or quicker and utilizing slicks ; except vehicles running 11.49(*7.35) seconds or slower utilizing street tires.


DEPUTY

see thats what i thought the rule was, and should be fine since to me DRs are street tires, hell MT ET streets have the name street in them. Thats pretty definative.

mtlcafan79
03-20-2008, 11:38 PM
It all depends on your local track inspector. They busted me here last year for no loop and ET streets. They will flag you for any sticky tire, DOT, DR, or slick. Some tracks don't care about bars, cages, shut off switches, battery straps, etc. It all depends who you get that night.

White Turbo
03-20-2008, 11:59 PM
Slammed R/t is correct on the NHRA rule...
And mtlcafan79 is correct as well...

Some track's local rules will differ from the NHRA. Check with your local track and see if they differ from NHRA.

grapejuice1998
03-21-2008, 12:36 AM
I believe mine to be NHRA legal. The rules do not state anything saying round tube must be used. I used square tubing because I didn't have the right die to bend the radius.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d48/Mopar318/Turboinstall017.jpg



http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d48/Mopar318/Turboinstall018.jpg

In the NHRA rule book, they only approve round tube and 1/4" x 2" flat metal.

PeteRT
03-21-2008, 01:24 AM
god damnit... one more project to get done.....

Mopar318
03-21-2008, 02:22 AM
In the NHRA rule book, they only approve round tube and 1/4" x 2" flat metal.

I dont see where it says it has to be "round" tube? I am not arguing, just wondering if im missing something.

Either way it doesnt matter. I dont go to any tracks with hardcore techs. Hell they dont even check for loops on 10 second cars. I put it on for my own safety concern.

slvr03dakrt
03-21-2008, 02:25 AM
yep looks like i'm borrowing my buddies torch and getting some steel from my dads work and gonna do a little fabbing this weekend.

geo2slow4u
03-21-2008, 03:08 AM
yep looks like i'm borrowing my buddies torch and getting some steel from my dads work and gonna do a little fabbing this weekend.



This is something I gotta do also. I would have been pissed. If they wouldn't let me and I drove all the way up there.


Someone needs to make me one. I don't have the means to fab one up right now.

slvr03dakrt
03-21-2008, 03:16 AM
they would prob let you run. One time but the next time you come back you will need one. But as far as helmets go they are real strict on it.

fastdodgert
03-21-2008, 03:18 AM
damnnnnn anote freakin thing to add on my truck lol

geo2slow4u
03-21-2008, 03:30 AM
they would prob let you run. One time but the next time you come back you will need one. But as far as helmets go they are real strict on it.



Yea that to. Damn them.

fastdodgert
03-21-2008, 03:36 AM
so definitely the loop needs to be made out of round tubing, at least 3 mm

uwntsumrtII
03-21-2008, 03:43 AM
Damn.

Guess no square tubing for me. And that sucks, cause it's easier for me to use and cut square.

Fuc:finger:kers.


Thanks mtlcafan79.:woot:

based on the caliber of your truck i wouldn't think they'd hastle you as long as you have a decent loop under there. now if you were in the 9-10sec range they might actualy get under there and make sure it's a 100% legal.

slvr03dakrt
03-23-2008, 06:23 PM
well an update on the loop. Since i have a cc with a huge aluminum driveshaft I decided to take a lakewood universal loop cut it widen it to 7inches and do a little fabbing. I will post pics in a couple hours when i'm done I will have less than 40 bucks in the setup.

fastdodgert
03-23-2008, 07:19 PM
awesome...good idea post pics when your done

slvr03dakrt
03-24-2008, 03:02 PM
and the finished product

uwntsumrtII
03-24-2008, 05:04 PM
nice work! :biggthumpup:

slvr03dakrt
03-24-2008, 05:21 PM
thanks pia but i think it will work nicely. I hoping i won't have to try it out

grapejuice1998
03-24-2008, 06:21 PM
and the finished product

I'd convert the hardware to nyloc nuts. Either that, or double up and jam them.

slvr03dakrt
03-24-2008, 06:56 PM
i have loc washers under the nuts.

Mopar318
03-24-2008, 07:06 PM
I'd convert the hardware to nyloc nuts. Either that, or double up and jam them.

or just use blue locktite.

GoFastGray
03-25-2008, 06:24 PM
Sweet...now that i know how to utilize the lakewood kit... i'lll go ahead and order one today :woot:
Along with a new cat...have to replace mine that blew up. Might as well attempt that too while under there and ording parts from summit.

slvr03dakrt
03-25-2008, 08:16 PM
i'm not 100% it will pass but i am pretty certain it will. Took about 3 hrs to complete prob. would of taken less time but i always get side tracked with other stuff.

GoFastGray
03-25-2008, 08:36 PM
i'm not 100% it will pass but i am pretty certain it will. Took about 3 hrs to complete prob. would of taken less time but i always get side tracked with other stuff.

i'm going to make it look like it's one peice. weld it and grind it...than powdercoat it when done. My pops has all the knowhow.:biggthumpup:

slvr03dakrt
03-25-2008, 09:09 PM
yep it will look good

GoFastGray
03-25-2008, 10:53 PM
yep it will look good

You used the end pieces that were cut off to make the center extension, right? Do you know how much wider you made it?

slvr03dakrt
03-26-2008, 12:05 AM
i made it 7 inches wide so basically i added 2 inches to the center. I actually purchased some flat stock but there was plently left from trimming the ends If you would like some measurments i'll get them tommorow.