SFI flexplate mandatory in all v8s Jan 2024

MR DERBY CITY · 06-15-2023, 11:20 PM

Here we go , didn’t take long for this to happen after unfortunate incident in D-4. I personally would only use an SFI flex plate as I really like my two feet. This rule just insures that the V8 in the other lane has one also.

Billy Nees · 06-16-2023, 07:18 AM

It looks like I won't be putting my 301 Pontiac back together any time soon.

Kevin Panzino · 06-16-2023, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MR DERBY CITY

Here we go , didn’t take long for this to happen after unfortunate incident in D-4. I personally would only use an SFI flex plate as I really like my two feet. This rule just insures that the V8 in the other lane has one also.

I assume one came apart? I hadn't heard of the incident in D-4.

Mike Pearson · 06-16-2023, 09:37 AM

I would actually have more faith in an older flex plate. Most of the newer ones are probably Chinese made. I bought a summit brand for my car last and it was a Pioneer brand stamped into it. It is SFI approved. Next time I have it out I will look for a better wheel. I have an ATI safety bell housing too.
That was a fluke happening. I can’t remember the last time I heard of a flywheel breaking. Think of how many runs are made each weekend at drag races across the country.

4543 · 06-16-2023, 09:41 AM

I’m glad that this rule is being adopted! Lots of difference between stock one and a certified one. Mike McMahan 2543 H/SA

dragracerray · 06-16-2023, 09:59 AM

I have been using a SFI flexplate but it has expired. Do they have a 3 year certified life? I can not remember. Ray

MikeMoller · 06-16-2023, 10:15 AM

Like to know how they will be checking that-they don’t check anything these days

greg h williams · 06-16-2023, 11:14 AM

Both Jegs and Summit sell a stock appearing flexplate that is SFI approved.If you have one of these,I suggest that you replace it with a quality piece.I don't know which flexplate was involved in the last D4 race,but we had one of the inexpensive ones a few years back on our B/ED and a section of the ring come off.How can that part pass SFI specs? There are more of these incidents than you would think.We replaced ours with a billet Meziere.Quality part.

Paul Precht · 06-16-2023, 11:22 AM

There's a lot of difference between a Mopar flex plate and a GM flex plate. The Mopar is much smaller and lighter, one piece and has no ring gear welded on. I don't think its possible for a Mopar stocker to break a flex plate. They do fatigue and crack around the bolt holes but still don't come apart.

Steve Stasko · 06-16-2023, 12:07 PM

I just bought a couple different Chrysler flexplates. I bought an eBay special that had "Meets SFI standards" or something thereabout engraved/punched into it, and then I bought a PRW from Summit. The latter is about an 1/8th inch thicker, and actually has an SFI sticker on it. The PRW unfortunately does not say anywhere on it or in the instructions of where it is made, but I am assuming overseas.

I'll have to take a pic of the other one and post it tonight, but something about it just made me uneasy, so I bought the PRW. I've never had any issues with a Chrysler flexplate of any kind, and don't intend to start.

06-15-2023, 11:20 PM	#1
MR DERBY CITY VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Derby City, USA Posts: 3,632 Likes: 1,081 Liked 7,916 Times in 1,515 Posts	SFI flexplate mandatory in all v8s Jan 2024 Here we go , didn’t take long for this to happen after unfortunate incident in D-4. I personally would only use an SFI flex plate as I really like my two feet. This rule just insures that the V8 in the other lane has one also.

06-16-2023, 07:18 AM	#2
Billy Nees VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: On a hilltop in Pa. Posts: 4,485 Likes: 3,587 Liked 7,682 Times in 1,730 Posts	Re: SFI flexplate mandatory in all v8s Jan 2024 It looks like I won't be putting my 301 Pontiac back together any time soon. __________________ Billy Nees 1188 STK, SS I'm not spending 100K to win 2K

06-16-2023, 09:37 AM	#4
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,443 Likes: 613 Liked 1,916 Times in 574 Posts	Re: SFI flexplate mandatory in all v8s Jan 2024 I would actually have more faith in an older flex plate. Most of the newer ones are probably Chinese made. I bought a summit brand for my car last and it was a Pioneer brand stamped into it. It is SFI approved. Next time I have it out I will look for a better wheel. I have an ATI safety bell housing too. That was a fluke happening. I can’t remember the last time I heard of a flywheel breaking. Think of how many runs are made each weekend at drag races across the country. __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

06-16-2023, 09:41 AM	#5
4543 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 638 Likes: 57 Liked 634 Times in 139 Posts	Re: SFI flexplate mandatory in all v8s Jan 2024 I’m glad that this rule is being adopted! Lots of difference between stock one and a certified one. Mike McMahan 2543 H/SA

06-16-2023, 09:59 AM	#6
dragracerray Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Webster, New York Posts: 217 Likes: 467 Liked 207 Times in 88 Posts	Re: SFI flexplate mandatory in all v8s Jan 2024 I have been using a SFI flexplate but it has expired. Do they have a 3 year certified life? I can not remember. Ray __________________ Ray Bassett I/SA 1687, SS/DA 1687 "SuperPro is both", unknown

06-16-2023, 10:15 AM	#7
MikeMoller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Raleigh NC Posts: 637 Likes: 27 Liked 254 Times in 78 Posts	Re: SFI flexplate mandatory in all v8s Jan 2024 Like to know how they will be checking that-they don’t check anything these days __________________ Mike Moller NHRA 203 Q-R-T/SA

06-16-2023, 11:14 AM	#8
greg h williams Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 23 Likes: 4 Liked 23 Times in 4 Posts	Re: SFI flexplate mandatory in all v8s Jan 2024 Both Jegs and Summit sell a stock appearing flexplate that is SFI approved.If you have one of these,I suggest that you replace it with a quality piece.I don't know which flexplate was involved in the last D4 race,but we had one of the inexpensive ones a few years back on our B/ED and a section of the ring come off.How can that part pass SFI specs? There are more of these incidents than you would think.We replaced ours with a billet Meziere.Quality part.

06-16-2023, 11:22 AM	#9
Paul Precht Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Elysburg, Pa Posts: 730 Likes: 353 Liked 309 Times in 118 Posts	Re: SFI flexplate mandatory in all v8s Jan 2024 There's a lot of difference between a Mopar flex plate and a GM flex plate. The Mopar is much smaller and lighter, one piece and has no ring gear welded on. I don't think its possible for a Mopar stocker to break a flex plate. They do fatigue and crack around the bolt holes but still don't come apart.

06-16-2023, 12:07 PM	#10
Steve Stasko Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Western PA Posts: 455 Likes: 13 Liked 274 Times in 143 Posts	Re: SFI flexplate mandatory in all v8s Jan 2024 I just bought a couple different Chrysler flexplates. I bought an eBay special that had "Meets SFI standards" or something thereabout engraved/punched into it, and then I bought a PRW from Summit. The latter is about an 1/8th inch thicker, and actually has an SFI sticker on it. The PRW unfortunately does not say anywhere on it or in the instructions of where it is made, but I am assuming overseas. I'll have to take a pic of the other one and post it tonight, but something about it just made me uneasy, so I bought the PRW. I've never had any issues with a Chrysler flexplate of any kind, and don't intend to start.