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Car Forum / Mazda / Mazda Miata / May 2007shatter shield question
I just got started in autocross and I'll also be logging some track time soon. A neighbor who used to drive a MG asked if I planned to install a shatter shield in my car. I've googled this subject and don't see any mentioned of a shatter shield in a Miata. Is this something that only concerns older cars? >>>Is this something that only concerns older cars? Nope. ANY car with a high revving engine. At high RPMs, the clutch disk and even the pressure plate can come apart and sling shrapnel all over the place. Many a driver has had his legs seriously injured or even amputated by an exploding clutch. It happens, but much less with automatic transmissions. A scatter shield is typically a wide steel plate or band that encircles the bell housing and the flywheel, clutch, and pressure plate. If the clutch comes apart, the scatter shield should contain most of the high velocity fragments. In my opinion, it is more important than a roll bar. I wouldn't race without one. Tim >I just got started in autocross and I'll also be logging some track > time soon. A neighbor who used to drive a MG asked if I planned to > install a shatter shield in my car. I've googled this subject and > don't see any mentioned of a shatter shield in a Miata. Is this > something that only concerns older cars? >>>>Is this something that only concerns older cars? > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >sling shrapnel all over the place. Many a driver has had his legs seriously >injured or even amputated by an exploding clutch. Have there been cases with Miatas? Leon >It happens, but much less with automatic transmissions. > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] >> something that only concerns older cars? >  SignatureLeon van Dommelen :) Bess, the Miata :) Bozo, the Miata :) rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen.net/miata The only thing better than a white Miata is two white Miatas > I just got started in autocross and I'll also be logging some track > time soon. A neighbor who used to drive a MG asked if I planned to > install a shatter shield in my car. I've googled this subject and > don't see any mentioned of a shatter shield in a Miata. Is this > something that only concerns older cars? No, it only concerns engines operated at redlines significantly higher than stock. I've never heard of any Miata blowing its clutch, at any rpm. >> I just got started in autocross and I'll also be logging some track >> time soon. A neighbor who used to drive a MG asked if I planned to [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >No, it only concerns engines operated at redlines significantly higher >than stock. I've never heard of any Miata blowing its clutch, at any rpm. Apparently, it is something aftermarket clutches might do: http://www.turboclutch.com/sport_mazda.html Leon SignatureLeon van Dommelen :) Bess, the Miata :) Bozo, the Miata :) rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen.net/miata The only thing better than a white Miata is two white Miatas I don't know of anyone in our SCCA area that uses a scatter shield on an autocross stock class Miata. I believe that it's more of a requirement for things like spec class racing and drag. > >> I just got started in autocross and I'll also be logging some track > >> time soon. A neighbor who used to drive a MG asked if I planned to [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Leon > I don't know of anyone in our SCCA area that uses a scatter shield > on an autocross stock class Miata. I believe that it's more of a > requirement for things like spec class racing and drag. In drag racing, scatter shields are routinely used on automatics, the pressure in a torque converter can cause it to explode. > Apparently, it is something aftermarket clutches might do: > http://www.turboclutch.com/sport_mazda.html > > Leon That looks like a "CYA" disclaimer. The very remote possibility is there, but I think that we would of heard of at least one miata driver being injured by this over the last 17 years, and at least me and Lanny haven't, even when they are running extremely high horsepower. The fact that Flying Miata does not offer a scatter shield, even with their highest turbo boost application, is also highly telling, as they know what they are doing. The weak link seems to be the transmission and the rear end. The current miata of the month ripped the rear end out and snapped both the power plant frame and the entire differential case before the clutch and pressure plate became an issue. Pat - yes, still in Texas, I lost the bet..... > The fact that Flying Miata does not offer a scatter shield, Errr, make that a shatter shield. Does anybody make one for the miata? I have never seen one offered and I am guessing that the people that take the miata to insane horsepower levels for drag racing make a custom one. Pat I guess I'll run without one until I at least hear about someone else installing one on a Miata. Thanks for all the replies. > I guess I'll run without one until I at least hear about someone else > installing one on a Miata. Thanks for all the replies. That was my thought. If I hear about someone getting sliced up by their pressure plate blowing apart up, I will either quickly install a shatter shield or go back to a stock clutch and power level. If mine blows up and I happen to live, with or without legs, I'll be sure to let ya know. :-) Pat |
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