Toploader Bellhousings
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3rd Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 764
From: California
Toploader Bellhousings
What is the weight difference between an iron toploader bellhousing and an aluminum one?
What are the strength characteristics of each?
Should a street car worry about an exploding clutch/ getting a scattershield?
What are the strength characteristics of each?
Should a street car worry about an exploding clutch/ getting a scattershield?
6th Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,896
From: Elk Grove, CA
Density of Al: ~0.098 lb/in^3
Density of cast iron: ~0.284 lb/in^3
So cast iron is roughly 2.9 times heavier per unit of volume than aluminum. That's a BIG difference. Ever swap a cast iron intake for aluminum? I remember having a hard time lifting mine out of the engine bay. The aluminum one that replaced it could be lifted with one hand.
I wouldn't worry too much about a scatter shield unless you like to do high-rpm clutch drops with sticky tires.
Density of cast iron: ~0.284 lb/in^3
So cast iron is roughly 2.9 times heavier per unit of volume than aluminum. That's a BIG difference. Ever swap a cast iron intake for aluminum? I remember having a hard time lifting mine out of the engine bay. The aluminum one that replaced it could be lifted with one hand.
I wouldn't worry too much about a scatter shield unless you like to do high-rpm clutch drops with sticky tires.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 764
From: California
Great information, that definitely makes me lean towards the iron. Still wondering what the weight difference is, and if the castings were the same iron vs aluminum. Sometimes components are cast with the structure more thick when using aluminum to make up for being weaker.
When clutches explode, does the flywheel shatter too? I've heard cast ones will, which I won't be using. How about the pressure plate? I could see this becoming shrapnel.
I've always wondered if steel could just be added in the important areas externally on an iron bellhousing. I will probably go iron since I will only ever run street tires. That way if the impossible happens I have some protection...
When clutches explode, does the flywheel shatter too? I've heard cast ones will, which I won't be using. How about the pressure plate? I could see this becoming shrapnel.
I've always wondered if steel could just be added in the important areas externally on an iron bellhousing. I will probably go iron since I will only ever run street tires. That way if the impossible happens I have some protection...
6th Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,896
From: Elk Grove, CA
What tires are you planning on running that you're planning for a clutch exploding?
Most street cars run around with cast iron flywheels and aluminum bellhousings with no problems. I really would only worry if you were doing 6k rpm clutch drops with some seriously sticky tires (ie. drag radials).
Really, run a poll, ask how many people here have anything better than a standard cast iron flywheel and a factory aluminum bellhousing. I'd bet the only exceptions would be cars built for the strip. I'm all for safety, but I think you're overthinking it a bit
Most street cars run around with cast iron flywheels and aluminum bellhousings with no problems. I really would only worry if you were doing 6k rpm clutch drops with some seriously sticky tires (ie. drag radials).
Really, run a poll, ask how many people here have anything better than a standard cast iron flywheel and a factory aluminum bellhousing. I'd bet the only exceptions would be cars built for the strip. I'm all for safety, but I think you're overthinking it a bit
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