Quick fire prevention question

[h3towel]

My body cutouts are really close, and in some points touch the side pipes. I'd rather not cut anymore of the body away than I already have. Jeff Kleiner is supposed to take my car for paint and body work at the end of the summer, and I'd like to drive it around before then. Does anyone know if the body will ignite, or just melt under heat? Also, at what temp do either of these happen.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Curiosity took me to the Googles after our conversation:


The glass fibre will melt at the same temperature as the original glass it was made from, to be Strictly correct glass doesn't melt at a specific temperature but it gradually softens from about 1200°C and begins to degrade at about 1700°C. Glass itself doesn't burn.

Conventional chopped glass fibre sheet is held together by polyester or epoxy resin or similar adhesives which will burn well before the glass begins to soften. Even the woven sheet uses polyester to bind the glass fibres. However many companies make glass fibre products specifically for fire resistance up to 500–600°C.

Jeff

[CraigS]

You need less than 3/8 inch clearance to eliminate the problem. Start w/ 1/4 inch and watch it while you have fun driving. Depending on motor mounts and how often you do hard launches you might need to go to the full 3/8 at the top of the driver side pipes.

[rich grsc]

My old car was under a 1/4", never even discolored the paint. There is so much air moving around the pipes there is no concerns