Question for FSTJACK or Silverback

[mopower1958]

While the engine is out of the Coronet I am changing the radiator and transmission cooler. Does NHRA rules state anything about the trans cooler lines? Can I use rubber hose from the metal lines up to the cooler. The metal lines run from the transmission to the radiator support. I have some bulk rubber trans cooler hose and cooler pressure isn't but about 30 psi on a torqueflite. Trying to get it NHRA approved to make a pass at the NATS. Thanks for your help.

 

[FSTJACK]

I was not sure about this so I just got of the phone with NHRA tech. The tech was not very difinitive on this and did not give me a clear cut answer regarding the termination points.
So I just called my buddy that is a tech inspector at Barona drag strip. He said that a short piece of the proper hose no longer than 6" was OK. It must be double clamped on both ends, and barbed fittings must be used on the cooler.
I have always run my trans cooler lines in braided steel.
NHRA's take is that they want to see any flammable liquid, (fuel, oil, Trans fluid, brake fluid) in a steel hard line or braided line that goes past the bellhousing area or through the engine compartment area.
They also do not want anything like a fuel pressure regulator, accusump, or any flammable liquid line bracket mounted to the firewall.

Hope this helps, it may not be what you want to hear.

 

[mopower1958]

That is what I needed to know. Thanks for the info.

 

[Silverback]

Jack gave you the rules, but I will also include some other advice.

Any type of rubber hose will fail at some time. It's just a matter of the number of cycles it's exposed to.

With any fluid in a drag car, it's exposed to high pressures under acceleration. If a hose fails it does not take long to pump out the fluid. Since this fluid is coming from the front of the car, as soon as it hits the rear tires, you are in for the ride of your life. If it goes under both wheels, you may be lucky. If it only hits one wheel, you will make a sharp 90 degree turn to that side and either hit the car in the other lane, or the wall. There is also a good chance you may roll the car, as wrinkle wall slicks to not like sliding sideways.

Use solid lines, or braided. It's well worth the extra cost.