rear firewall

[digler]

anybody install a rear firewall yet , did you remove the rear seat cross braces ? any pictures would be helpfull
or how about a universal firewall unit from jegs or something?

[Think3205]

nope but i need too... 

[68_Val_Sedan]

no need to remove the braces, just use some sheet metal over the braces and screw it in at the corners

[west]

this is set on the braces for the seat and screwed in,it's in 3 pieces including the package tray.
i still need to fix the wheel wells and paint it dark grey,the aluminum makes too much glare in the window.
i can make a template of this easily to get you started if you want.

[Bakaruda]

This is b569RR. If you look at his gallery you can see all.

[b569rr]

Thanks Cary. And the back seat fits. 

[oldkimmer]

...........................If u have a battery and or fuel cell in the trunk the firewall has to b sealed all the way around so nothing can leak into the passenger compartment in the event of an accident..........kim............

[wild383]

With the battery and a fuel cell in the trunk like me, sealing off the trunk from the drivers compartment is a very good idea.

[sunsetdart]

If you are going to race it,and the battery and fuel cell are in trunk, NHRA rules state that if its aluminum it must be .025"....if its steel I think it must be .090" . Not sure about the steel , so check rule book.

[mopowers]

I'm pretty sure if it's aluminum it needs to be thicker than if its steel.  I think its like .024" for steel and .032" for aluminum.

[loiq]

I was reading that a firewall in the rear actually helps the torsional rigidity of the chassis. If that's true, maybe welding in a steel firewall is the way to go?

[68_Val_Sedan]

I'm pretty sure if it's aluminum it needs to be thicker than if its steel.  I think its like .024" for steel and .032" for aluminum.

    those numbers sound correct

[Dartdragracer]

I'm currently installing a .040 thick aluminum rear firewall in mine. I will post pics when its done.
you can buy the sheets of aluminum in various colors so no need for paint.

Keep the seat braces, they make the good attachment points and add support.

[jackie]

yes, you can get color's.. i like the black inside,white outside. it looks clean under the car,but in this pic. mine sure is dirty inside.it is easy to clean.

[Dartdragracer]

I got mine finished last night, Here is a pic, It is screwed to the seat cross members. I used the black rubber edging to cover all the edges that would otherwise be exposed.

[gt]

So if it has to be sealed, is it ok to have speakers mounted in the package tray and pass tech inspection.

gt

[That One Guy]

I've got the blue and white in mine, I think it's .035 aluminum, it was easy to do, and we left the braces there, and it wouldn't take anything to put the seat in if I was going to.

[Dartdragracer]

They do not have to be completly sealed or leak proof to pass tech. A factory rear seat wil pass tech with no barrier and the fuel/battery in the trunk. The barrier is to protect from a flash fire from the trunk.

[west]

So if it has to be sealed, is it ok to have speakers mounted in the package tray and pass tech inspection.

gt

you can put speakers in but they have to be boxed in from the rear.the speaker is made of paper and won't pass tech.

[gt]

Got it, makes sense, thanks.
One other thing, if I understand correctly, if you have back seats installed you do not need to seal the rear firewall? True or False.

gt

[mopowers]

Got it, makes sense, thanks.
One other thing, if I understand correctly, if you have back seats installed you do not need to seal the rear firewall? True or False.

gt

False

If you run a fuel cell in the trunk, you need a firewall of 024 inch steel or .032 inch aluminum.  If you relocate the battery, you need to insolate it from the driver with either a rear firewall, or a sealed battery box.

[Dartdragracer]

I raced at 4 different tracks with a fuel cell /battery in my trunk with no rear firewall, just the factory back seat. Tech inspectors never said a thing about it.

[GTS225]

I raced at 4 different tracks with a fuel cell /battery in my trunk with no rear firewall, just the factory back seat. Tech inspectors never said a thing about it.

*******************************************************************
Most of us can write something like this.  The truth is that we all could find examples of differing interpretations of the rules by different "inspectors".
If one reads the NHRA rulebook for themselves, I suggest they would find that it means what it says......move the battery, seal it from the driver. (Box or firewall.)  Run a fuel cell, run a firewall.  Most of the rules are about driver safety, and a rear firewall is about keeping you alive.
My slant drag car is slow, but that doesn't mean the guy in the other lane can't get out of shape and run into me.  Therefore, I build by the rules.

Roger

[west]

I raced at 4 different tracks with a fuel cell /battery in my trunk with no rear firewall, just the factory back seat. Tech inspectors never said a thing about it.

*******************************************************************
Most of us can write something like this.  The truth is that we all could find examples of differing interpretations of the rules by different "inspectors".
If one reads the NHRA rulebook for themselves, I suggest they would find that it means what it says......move the battery, seal it from the driver. (Box or firewall.)  Run a fuel cell, run a firewall.  Most of the rules are about driver safety, and a rear firewall is about keeping you alive.
My slant drag car is slow, but that doesn't mean the guy in the other lane can't get out of shape and run into me.  Therefore, I build by the rules.

Roger

words to LIVE by

[Dartdragracer]

I raced at 4 different tracks with a fuel cell /battery in my trunk with no rear firewall, just the factory back seat. Tech inspectors never said a thing about it.

*******************************************************************
Most of us can write something like this.  The truth is that we all could find examples of differing interpretations of the rules by different "inspectors".
If one reads the NHRA rulebook for themselves, I suggest they would find that it means what it says......move the battery, seal it from the driver. (Box or firewall.)  Run a fuel cell, run a firewall.  Most of the rules are about driver safety, and a rear firewall is about keeping you alive.
My slant drag car is slow, but that doesn't mean the guy in the other lane can't get out of shape and run into me.  Therefore, I build by the rules.

Roger

I totally agree its about drivers safety, thats why I installed an aluminum rear firewall in mine. All I was saying was that it "will" pass tech with the rear seat and not metal barrier.
At least in miy case, it did at 4 different tracks, while I had that set up.

[krabysniper]

I totally agree its about drivers safety, thats why I installed an aluminum rear firewall in mine. All I was saying was that it "will" pass tech with the rear seat and not metal barrier.
At least in miy case, it did at 4 different tracks, while I had that set up.

Your car may have passed tech at those 4 tracks but I would be willing to bet if there had been an accident involving your car and a fuel fire, there would have been a tech inspector who wouldn't be doing inspections anymore, not to mention the potential lawsuit that those inspectors opened those tracks up too. A signed waiver saying you except the responsibility of potentially killing yourself wont save them from legal repercutions if you kill yourself because of something they were supposed to be looking for and preventing.

The rules in the NHRA rulebook are very clear on the subject, no interpretation needed

"All fuel tanks must be isolated from the driver's compartment by a firewall completely sealed to prevent any fuel from entering the driver's compartment."

Anyone who cuts corners when it comes to safety, almost always suffer for it in the long run (or cause others who care about them to suffer) Safety first, always!

[GTS225]

I totally agree its about drivers safety, thats why I installed an aluminum rear firewall in mine. All I was saying was that it "will" pass tech with the rear seat and not metal barrier.
At least in miy case, it did at 4 different tracks, while I had that set up.

********************************************************
Hmmmm....the tone of this response makes me think my response was a bit blunt, and it probably was.  I'm that way a lot.
Allow me to put it another way;  The rules say you're supposed to build it "X" way, and you build it the way you interpret it.  Your local track "inspectors" allow it to pass, and you think you're good.  Now you decide to make a long pull to a big event, only to have those inspectors at that national meet say, "Not on THIS track".  Now, thanks to the incorrect judgement of your local techs,( and maybe some of your error), you're out a lot of time and fuel costs.
I suggest it's better to over-engineer a bit than suffer the consequences of a mis-interpretation.

Roger

[wild383]

  Even though my car will be 99% street. Over engineer on the side of safety, "You'll live longer". Willie

[rharveysr]

Over engineering when it comes the safety of my son...is not a question...its a standard!

Rick

[Think3205]

hey Rick, are you guys going to be putting in a rear firewall?

[rharveysr]

We have to.....both the fuel cell and batteries will be in the trunk area. We will be using steel on his car though...

Rick

[That One Guy]

Over engineering when it comes the safety of my son...is not a question...its a standard!

Rick

that's right, that's why on the NHRA's original logos it said  "SAFETY FIRST....SPEED SECOND"
we used to have an old banner with the old logo on it, but we were just holding it for a friend, I wish I could get something like it, I'd love to have one.

[Think3205]

are you going to weld it in? and weld it to the bars? or just use rivets or screws?...