Does the ZL1 need a driveshaft safety loop for NHRA sub 11.5? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

1st Gen Forever · 10-20-2012, 04:56 PM

So a debate ensued last night on how a ZL1 Camaro isn't NHRA legal to run faster than 11.5 without a driveshaft safety loop. Given the placement of the driveshaft in the chassis per the link here,
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/10/...dy-with-video/

How would it be possible for a broken driveshaft to escape from this car? Additionally, it looks like you'd actually have to cut and modify quite a bit to even make room for a "safety" loop wouldn't you?

I do understand NHRA has roll cage requirements too but I'm only curious on the driveshaft loop. It seems redundant with this design and the draveshaft is already sufficiently contained with the factory design.

HDRDTD · 10-20-2012, 05:29 PM

Doesn't matter how the driveshaft in the ZL1 is routed. NHRA rules state it must have a safety loop if the car is faster than a certain ET.
Rules are rules.

willhe64 · 10-20-2012, 05:40 PM

The loop is also there to stop the driveshaft from coming through the transmission tunnel. When they let go at the front they bang around hard.

james347 · 10-20-2012, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1st Gen Forever

So a debate ensued last night on how a ZL1 Camaro isn't NHRA legal to run faster than 11.5 without a driveshaft safety loop. Given the placement of the driveshaft in the chassis per the link here,
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/10/...dy-with-video/

How would it be possible for a broken driveshaft to escape from this car? Additionally, it looks like you'd actually have to cut and modify quite a bit to even make room for a "safety" loop wouldn't you?

I do understand NHRA has roll cage requirements too but I'm only curious on the driveshaft loop. It seems redundant with this design and the draveshaft is already sufficiently contained with the factory design.

Upon inspection, there does seem to be a lot of protection against a drive shaft coming loose and doing damage. But is all of that really designed to keep a drive shaft 'in place' once it breaks? Probably not. It will wreck havoc on the underneath of that car and with some very stealth safety loops on the market, I would definitely invest in one to keep it from tearing up that undercarriage.

Stephen12ZL1 · 10-20-2012, 06:22 PM

metco makes one for an SS that may fit a ZL1. http://kdinnovations.com/camaro_file...ccessories.php

Stephen12ZL1 · 10-20-2012, 06:23 PM

here ia another one that may work
http://www.jegs.com/i/Lakewood/620/1...oductId=751248

Stephen12ZL1 · 10-20-2012, 06:28 PM

better read the rules...wow! fire extinguisher too!
http://mustangpartstech.com/General_...uirements.html

hairtrigger · 10-20-2012, 07:34 PM

The driveshaft loop has to be within 6 inches of the front U joint.

I'd like to know if the aftermarket axle rule would be needed on the ZL1.

1st Gen Forever · 10-20-2012, 07:45 PM

Also, isn't the Camaro a split drive shaft with a u-joint secured to the chassis in the middle?

So not only do you have multiple "front" u-joints if you will from a perspective of what can break, but the length of each when broken free is not like that of a full drive shaft in our older cars.

It just seems the NHRA rules might need some updating in general. At what point are we no longer making changes to our cars that improve safety but rather just checking off boxes because "That's the way it's always been"?

DrkPhx · 10-20-2012, 07:55 PM

you also need a roll bar if you run 11.49 or quicker. Even though my previous car had all of the required safety equipment; I've been to several tracks over the years and I have never seen a tech actually get under a car and look for a driveshaft loop. It's too much hassle and takes too long especially on race day with a packed track.

10-20-2012, 04:56 PM	#1
1st Gen Forever ZL1 #140 Drives: Camaros: 68 SS, 10 2SS/RS, 12 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 594	Does the ZL1 need a driveshaft safety loop for NHRA sub 11.5? So a debate ensued last night on how a ZL1 Camaro isn't NHRA legal to run faster than 11.5 without a driveshaft safety loop. Given the placement of the driveshaft in the chassis per the link here, http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/10/...dy-with-video/ How would it be possible for a broken driveshaft to escape from this car? Additionally, it looks like you'd actually have to cut and modify quite a bit to even make room for a "safety" loop wouldn't you? I do understand NHRA has roll cage requirements too but I'm only curious on the driveshaft loop. It seems redundant with this design and the draveshaft is already sufficiently contained with the factory design.

10-20-2012, 05:40 PM	#3
willhe64 Drives: 2012 45th Vert, 2011 4x4, 9sec Vega Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 2,188	The loop is also there to stop the driveshaft from coming through the transmission tunnel. When they let go at the front they bang around hard. __________________ I feel it only fair to warn you, I have a black belt in CAPS LOCK.

10-20-2012, 06:22 PM	#5
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,808	metco makes one for an SS that may fit a ZL1. http://kdinnovations.com/camaro_file...ccessories.php __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

10-20-2012, 06:23 PM	#6
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,808	here ia another one that may work http://www.jegs.com/i/Lakewood/620/1...oductId=751248 __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

10-20-2012, 06:28 PM	#7
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,808	better read the rules...wow! fire extinguisher too! http://mustangpartstech.com/General_...uirements.html __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

10-20-2012, 05:29 PM	#2
HDRDTD Drives: 2013 Triple Black ZL1 Vert M6 ECF Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Trenton, Michigan Posts: 7,047	Doesn't matter how the driveshaft in the ZL1 is routed. NHRA rules state it must have a safety loop if the car is faster than a certain ET. Rules are rules.

10-20-2012, 07:34 PM	#8
hairtrigger Drives: 69 Chevelle SS396 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: West Posts: 700	The driveshaft loop has to be within 6 inches of the front U joint. I'd like to know if the aftermarket axle rule would be needed on the ZL1. __________________

10-20-2012, 07:45 PM	#9
1st Gen Forever ZL1 #140 Drives: Camaros: 68 SS, 10 2SS/RS, 12 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 594	Also, isn't the Camaro a split drive shaft with a u-joint secured to the chassis in the middle? So not only do you have multiple "front" u-joints if you will from a perspective of what can break, but the length of each when broken free is not like that of a full drive shaft in our older cars. It just seems the NHRA rules might need some updating in general. At what point are we no longer making changes to our cars that improve safety but rather just checking off boxes because "That's the way it's always been"?

10-20-2012, 07:55 PM	#10
DrkPhx Drives: 2013 Triple Black ZL1 / 2006 TB SS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: MN Posts: 2,250	you also need a roll bar if you run 11.49 or quicker. Even though my previous car had all of the required safety equipment; I've been to several tracks over the years and I have never seen a tech actually get under a car and look for a driveshaft loop. It's too much hassle and takes too long especially on race day with a packed track.