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Drag Racing Discussions => Front Engine Dragsters => Topic started by: wideopen231 on February 19, 2017, 03:15:14 PM

Title: Diaper or belly pan
Post by: wideopen231 on February 19, 2017, 03:15:14 PM
Wonder what most are running on yoiur FED's? I see benifit of both.Diaper would do best  job of containing oil if rod kicks out or so it seems.Bellypan would be easier to deal with  when checking bearings and should help with cool down time.With solid block and billet heads thats important issue for me.

If have pan and have tested let know your thoughts on them!
Title: Re: Diaper or belly pan
Post by: GlennLever on February 19, 2017, 04:13:10 PM
I am running both.
Title: Re: Diaper or belly pan
Post by: 161L on February 20, 2017, 07:45:04 AM
Have pans on both my RED & FED (both S&W Cars).  Hate dealing with diapers that don't fit and keep the heat trapped in!  A few years ago cracked a 010 small block (blown / injected on alcohol) up through the web and all the fluids landed in the pan and was absorbed by the pads, easy clean up.


Steve
Title: Re: Diaper or belly pan
Post by: glofria on February 21, 2017, 06:54:57 PM
We run both in all our cars. The only issue is you should put some sort of a shield between the back of the pan and the flywheel so the diaper doesn't get chewed up.

I also would recommend getting a non SFI diaper so you don't need to recert it every 2 years. :D
Title: Re: Diaper or belly pan
Post by: glennadmin on February 21, 2017, 08:25:45 PM
My mid plate separates the flex plate from the pan and diaper.
 
Title: Re: Diaper or belly pan
Post by: wideopen231 on February 21, 2017, 09:26:11 PM
Building pan now.6" higher rear,extended sides up to top frame rails and notched around starter and pump.Lowest point is 2.875 at starter.Going to dzus with two dzus at sides for easy removal.Have intenetion of adding as cooling port in front for leafblower to blow air thru for cooling between rounds.Addeing absorbent padding.

Tthe fact I have weight down to 4 lbs and it ads a belly pan effect to car which should reduce some drag have nothing to do with reason for pan over diaper.oh yea cost is about 20 bucks which is way cheaper than diaper.I will be building another one soon for backup in case this one gets used and abused too much.
Title: Re: Diaper or belly pan
Post by: George on February 22, 2017, 07:30:47 AM
We ran a belly pan for several years. It ended up with slots in it for a tube crossing the chassis for wing mounting. The slots were almost to the pan bottom. Also found keeping the pads in the bottom of the pan an issue. It would be ugly to get a wad of absorbent pad in the flexplate/convertor. I agree the diaper holds heat but we don't hot lap and holding heat and controlling it I thinks helps with consistency in engine power output. Dennis Ridgeway is close and he built a Kevlar diaper that fits well and will contain more than the pan if needed. Absolutely GREAT product and service.
Title: Re: Diaper or belly pan
Post by: dusterdave173 on February 22, 2017, 11:14:47 AM
DRE Dennis Ridgeway sent me a Kevlar diaper that fits like a dream--Very easy on and off--Zero hassle!
Pans hang too low on FED make getting in and out trailer a PIA and they look goofy hanging under there
I love my DRE diaper  Great customer service as well
Title: Re: Diaper or belly pan
Post by: George on February 22, 2017, 12:10:57 PM
I will say the belly pan was an EXCELLENT rock collector.  ::)
Title: Re: Diaper or belly pan
Post by: wideopen231 on February 22, 2017, 04:17:51 PM
Just finished pan.Its about 3/4" above bottom of frame.Takes 4 dzus fastweners to drop it out of way.Has side extentions that clamp over top of frame attached with hose clamp.Plenty of room for pads in bottom.Lite weight,easy removal and cost of 20 bucks and some work. Will trt to get some pics later after cleaning mess up.
Title: Re: Diaper or belly pan
Post by: Rusty Kramer on February 27, 2017, 02:29:23 PM
Pan and Diapers are both a PIA and yes Pans are rock catchers. But I Run both on a Rear Engine Car.  Have seen Diapers not hold oil and cars hit the wall.(maybe they were not fit or put on correct)

We tape our pads in the pan and the Diaper and they stay put. I think you want everything you can have to keep oil contained.
Title: Re: Diaper or belly pan
Post by: 161L on March 01, 2017, 12:15:24 PM
I use dabs of RTV to keep the pads in place.  When changing the pad, pull the pad up and scrape the RTV off with a gasket scraper.  Apply more RTV and install new pad.

Steve
Title: Re: Diaper or belly pan
Post by: rooman on March 01, 2017, 03:57:07 PM
The big show guys use duct tape to hold the pads in place.

Roo
Title: Re: Diaper or belly pan
Post by: GlennLever on March 01, 2017, 06:07:23 PM
The big show guys use duct tape to hold the pads in place.

Roo

I find the blue painters tape works really well in adverting to the diapers.
Title: Re: Diaper or belly pan
Post by: Paul New on March 01, 2017, 09:04:31 PM
Ron Austin a chassis builder in Southern Oregon built a really sweet pan with an absorbent pad contained between the pan and another piece of aluminum to hold it in with some dimple died holes very clean looking set up
Title: Re: Diaper or belly pan
Post by: tinbanger on April 03, 2017, 08:02:42 AM
I got 4 $2.00 clip boards at staples. Removed the clips and riveted the int my pan. Looks trick and works .
Title: Re: Diaper or belly pan
Post by: THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER on May 15, 2017, 08:46:26 AM
That is kinda what I use on my personal car - metal straps Dzused inplace over Pig Mats. I also have one on my belly pan under the transmission. I have also seen metal mesh screen used to retain the pads.

I am a part-time tech inspector at the once-a-month Heads Up series at our local NHRA track where diapers or pans are mandatory on ALL classes. I have been asking some of the top competitors which they prefer - diaper or pan? I'd say it runs about 60/40 pans to diapers.
Title: Re: Diaper or belly pan
Post by: buickfed on May 15, 2017, 03:46:25 PM
I looked at doing a pan, but the oil pan sits below the bottom rail and I don't another something dragging against the trailer when loading it. now that said, I went and bought a 'will fit' one. well, it just don't fit my engine because I run a 350 buick.  as usual i have to find someone to make one.  :'( :'(