Why You Should be Using SFI-Tested Bellhousings and Transmission Cases

Racing transmissions are pushed to the limits of their largely OEM-based designs by engines that are four to 10 times stronger than their original engineers had intended. Over the last four decades, we've increased the strength and durability of all the driveline components, however, as it is often said: "anything can happen in racing."

The unexpected release of so much energy transmitted through the driveline cannot be understated. The result of a malfunction can, in some scenarios, explode the drums or flexplates of a racing car into dangerous shrapnel (see above).

Therefore, the sanctioning bodies rely on the SFI foundation to provide safety guidelines to protect both the racers and the spectators.  

Just above, you can see the successful results of our Powerglide transmission housing after a drum and flexplate test explosion. A modified high gear drum and flexplate were spun at more than 10,000 RPM until they separated. 

The bellhousing and case both remained intact. Shields and blankets also provide similar protection. BTE strongly recommends using some sort of SFI approved safety system in any racing driveline.

Material grades and designs for powerglide input shafts - What do they mean?

Powerglide input shafts are available in a number of different designs and material grades.  We'll break these down so they are a little easier to understand.

Design and Material Guidelines

In OEM applications, a powerglide input shaft has a 17 count spline that engages the torque converter and two sealing rings midway down the shaft to complete the cooling circuit.  The shaft also has a number of oiling holes throughout to complete the lubrication and hydraulics.  Unfortunately, the OEM input shaft is one of the first areas to fail in a performance application.  The low grade material, the shaft diameter, and overall design were not intended for anything beyond low horsepower, street driven passenger cars.  The shafts will often twist or break at the converter side.  Material upgrades increase the strength to a point.

• We recommend the powerglide spline (17) input shafts made from quality steel at power levels under 700 horsepower and 600 ft lbs of torque. 

The first input shaft design upgrades changed this 17 spline design to the 30 spline count.  Also known as a turbo spline, this is the same spline used in the Turbo Hydromatic transmissions (TH350 and TH400).  The larger diameter shaft paired with an upgrade in material quality gives this new input shaft a lot more backbone.

• We recommend the turbo spline (30) input shafts made from quality 4340 steel at power levels under 1000 horsepower and 800 foot lbs of torque in vehicles under 3000 lbs.

As power levels increased over the years, the next weak link in the shaft was revealed to be the sealing ring lands for the cooler circuit.  The sharp edges of the 2 ring lands created a place where the shaft would break clean in high horsepower and torque setups.  To address this, the rings were deleted and the shafts were made solid.  However, this ring elimination comes with a cost - no proper cooling circuit.  Hot transmission oil exiting the torque converter flows directly past the cooler exits and into the planetary gear set.  This setup is only suitable in race cars that are towed to and from the starting and finish lines or in transmissions that do not have a special upgraded pump.

Today's high performance powerglide "ringless" input shafts have solved this cooler circuit problem by using a special pump design.  BTE's new high volume powerglide pump features an internal bushing system that mates with our new ringless input shaft.   In this pairing, we have a completely solid VascoMax 300 steel input shaft that also retains proper cooling flow.

• BTE recommends the ringless VascoMax turbo spline (30) input shafts in applications between 1000 and 2700 horsepower and 800 and 2000 ft lbs of torque in vehicles under 2800 lbs.  

Beyond these power levels, BTE offers a special 48 spline shaft made from Aermet grade material.  If your application is making more than 2700 horsepower, we offer this shaft as a total conversion kit.  The OD is increased to 1.125 inches and requires a special pump, planetary center gear, washers, clutch hub, and torque converter turbine spline.  Call us at 1-800-626-1828 for more information on this custom transmission.

Luke Bogacki Looks for Strong Finish Down South

Carterville, IL: ThisIsBracketRacing.com/K&N Engineering backed NHRA Super Comp and Super Gas racer Luke Bogacki has enjoyed a banner season.  The 32-year-old professional racer has driven to nine final rounds in 15 appearances along the NHRA Lucas Oil Series and Mello Yellow tour.  As a result, he currently leads the NHRA Lucas Oil Super Comp standings, and is in position to earn his first NHRA national championship. 

Despite not hoisting an NHRA “Wally” trophy since his Super Comp victory at the Summit Racing Equipment Nationals back in July, Bogacki has been hot of late, particularly in the Super Gas category.  He drove his ThisIsBracketRacing.com backed Charlie Stewart Race Cars built Corvette roadster to a semi-final finish at the prestigious Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis to kick off the month of September.  Two weeks later, he took runner-up honors in the same category at the AAA Texas Nationals in Dallas.  He closed the month with yet another Super Gas runner-up finish at the AAA Insurance Midwest Nationals near St. Louis, MO. 

Bogacki’s September success can be directly attributed to a stellar performance on the starting line.  After a .023 reaction in the opening round of the US Nationals, Bogacki posted five reactions time between .004 and .014.  In Dallas, his .024 in round 2 was an outlier: his other six lights fell between .014 and .017.  Then in St. Louis, he opened eliminations with a “late” .019, before posting lights ranging from .008 to .012 before fouling with an uncharacteristic -.003 red light in the final round.

“I’ve been very pleased with my driving for the last month, if you throw out final rounds!” Bogacki laughed.  “Seriously, it’s nice to be back in a groove at both ends of the track.  I really struggled on the starting line for a period this summer; probably the worst slump I’ve ever been in.  I put in a lot of work on the practice tree, and I changed my approach and routine a little bit.  It’s paid dividends.”

Unfortunately for Bogacki, the bulk of his Super Gas success has come at races beyond his quota of points earning events.  Only the semi-final finish in Indianapolis helped Bogacki’s cause, as the pair of runner-up finishes came after he’d maxed out his national event claims.  Bogacki is currently ranked 15^th in the NHRA Lucas Oil Series Super Gas chase.

Bogacki’s ’63 Corvette roadster was constructed by Charlie Stewart Race Cars of Azle, TX, and painted by Todd’s Extreme Paint.  The chassis features rear end components and brakes from Moser Engineering; Ohlins Shocks; Mickey Thompson Wheels and Tires; Auto Meter’s Multi-Function Data Logger; a K&R Pro-Cube Delay Box and Switch Panel; a B&M Shifter and trans coolers; Dixie shift solenoid; Earl’s Plumbing Products; a Dedenbear remote mount water pump; and a K&N carbon fiber hoodscoop.  Bogacki monitors tire pressure with a precision AirTek gauge.  Additional components come from ISC Racer’s Tape and Nitrous Express.

The machine is powered to the 9.90 Super Gas index at speeds in excess of 168 mph thanks to a Huntsville Engine & Performance 582 cubic inch engine.  The powerplant features a BRODIX Aluminum block and BRODIX Head Hunter cylinder heads; Wiseco Pistons; Jesel rocker arms and cam drive; and a Crane camshaft and lifters.  The motor is topped by APD’s new carburetor/throttle stop combo, which distributes Renegade 116+ Race Fuel.  That fuel is exhausted thanks to a set of headers built by Charlie Stewart Race Cars from a Hedman Hedders kit, then coated by Nitroplate.  The engine is protected by Lucas Oil and K&N Filters, as well as a J&J Performance engine diaper.  The power is put to the tires thanks to a BTE Top Sportsman powerglide transmission and 9” BTE converter.  The vast majority of parts on Bogacki’s machine are available at JEGS.com. 

As Bogacki prepares for his final points earning event of the 2013 season, the Division 2 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Event in Reynolds, GA, he’s aware of the points implications and at the same time comforted by past success at the Georgia facility. 

In 2010, Bogacki came into the same event as a long shot contender for the championship.  In order to take the lead, Bogacki needed the leader to fall  in the opening round of eliminations, and he needed to win the event.  The incoming leader, Ray Miller III fell, and Bogacki won.  Weeks later, Gary Stinnett would earn just enough points to surpass Bogacki and deny him his first national championship.

Last season, Bogacki came into the event ranked in the top five of both Super Comp and Super Gas. Although he fell early in Super Comp eliminations, he won a memorable final round battle with fellow championship contender Sherman Adcock, Jr.  The win catapulted Bogacki to 3^rd place in the 2012 Super Gas rankings.

This season, Bogacki comes into the event as the hunted rather than the hunter.  With a massive 676 point score, he leads the Super Comp standings by more than 7 rounds of competition, but the race is far from over.  Kyle Cultrera and Ray Miller III lead a group of racers that have an opportunity to overtake Bogacki for the title.  In Super Gas, Bogacki will need a late finish to secure a top-ten finish in the national standings.

“I suppose if I had to choose, I’d rather come into my last event as the leader; even though it’s uncharted territory for me,” laughed Bogacki.  “Honestly, I’m in a pretty good spot in terms of mental preparation.  In Super Comp, I’m improving a 4^th round loss.  Reynolds is generally a 6-round race.  So basically I need to make the final to improve.  In Super Gas, I need a huge gain if I have any chance to make the top ten.  So really, anything short of victory in either class doesn’t do much to help my cause.  That allows me to approach the race like I would any other: I won’t be tempted to count rounds or count points – I’m just trying to win the race.”

Bogacki is backed by ThisIsBracketRacing.com and the Motor City Race Expo.  His team also includes Associate Marketing Partners K&N Engineering, Tinsley Drilling & Company, Advanced Product Design (APD), C.A.R.S. Protection Plus, Product Development Group – makers of Air Tek pressure monitoring systems and Flo-Fast pumps, Bill Taylor Enterprises (BTE), JEGS, and Mickey Thompson Tires.

BTERacing.com just received a face lift!

Our home page www.bteracing.com just received a small face lift.  We've taken feedback from you all and made the site easier to navigate.  We've also added a featured product feed in the right section of the site.  Check here for special pricing that can't be found anywhere else.

Also, if you haven't already signed up for our powerglide quick reference guide, please see this link.  The easy to print and share .pdf includes the critical specs needed for a powerglide racing transmission assembly.

Norwalk Super Comp Triumph Vaults Bogacki to the Top of NHRA Lucas Oil Standings

 

 

 

Norwalk, OH: Sportsman racing veteran Luke Bogacki earned his 6^th NHRA national event triumph and first at Summit Raceway Park when he drove his Motor City Hot Rod & Racing Expo backed American Race Cars dragster to the Super Comp victory at the Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals.  With the victory, Bogacki moved into a commanding lead in the NHRA Lucas Oil Super Comp national points chase; he currently leads defending champion Alan Kenny by nearly 100 points.

Bogacki, who has earned a reputation as one of the best sportsman racers in the country thanks to his success in multiple classes and venues, earned the event title despite an admittedly mediocre performance.  Normally an excellent leaver, Luke posted reaction times varying from a competitive .016 (round two) to a very late .053 (round four), but was able to manufacture winning runs despite his lack of starting line efficiency.

“It wasn’t pretty, that’s for sure,” Bogacki laughed.  “I’m sure at some point I’ve won a race or two where I was never worse than .016 on the tree; I’m not sure I had ever won a race when I wasn’t better than .016 until today!  While I’m not happy with my driving, I’m certainly not ready to start the race over to see if I can improve my box score; there are no style points out here and wins are hard to come by.  I’ll take it any way that I can get it.”

Luke and partner Dave Szerlag recently announced that they will be promoting the inaugural Motor City Hot Rod & Racing Expo; Bogacki’s cars featured the expo logo throughout the event as part of the introductory announcement.  The Motor City Hot Rod & Racing Expo is a unique event that will feature exhibitors from throughout the motorsports industry, and is open to the public.  The inaugural show will take place March 22-23, 2014 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, MI, just minutes from Detroit, Motor City.  To learn more, visitwww.MotorCityRaceExpo.com.

Bogacki’s victory culminated a 5-week stretch of domination in the ultra-competitive Super Comp category.  Since the NHRA Division 3 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event in Chicago in early June, Bogacki has assembled a 21-2 record in the 8.90 category, highlighted by victories in Chicago and this weekend at Norwalk, along with a runner-up finish at Cordova Dragway Park in Cordova, IL. 

“It’s been an incredible few weeks,” expressed Bogacki.  “My car has just been great, it’s won almost in spite of the driver at times.  With my poor reaction times, I had to employ some smoke and mirrors this week to get the win, so I didn’t really let the car show its full potential; but this combination is really, really good right now.  Its consistency and a truckload of good fortune are the reasons for my recent success.”

 

 

 

Bogacki is quick to point out that a twin to his machine can be purchased with just a few phone calls.

“I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing, but the whole car is readily available, over the counter stuff.  It’s not like I’m sitting around in my shop brewing up some secret combination. The chassis is an American Race Cars base 240” dragster; and the motor is a 632 with BRODIX SR20 heads and a BRODIX aluminum block that can be purchased carb to pan at Huntsville Engine & Performance.  Everything else on the car can be ordered at JEGS.com.”

The Huntsville Engine 632 pushes Bogacki’s machine to the 8.90 index at speeds in excess of 180 miles per hour.  In addition to the BRODIX components Bogacki mentioned, the engine features an APD “throttle stop” carburetor and belt-drive fuel pump, Lucas Oil Products, K&N Filters, Hedman Hedders with Nitroplate coating, Wiseco pistons, a Milodon Oil Pan, J&J Engine Diaper, JESEL cam drive and rocker arms, and a Crane Camshaft and Lifters.  The motor burns Renegade 116+ Race Fuel and is slowed to the 8.90 index by a Dedenbear throttle stop controlled by a K&R Performance Engineering “Pro Cube” delay box timer.

Bogacki relies on Moser Engineering axles, brakes, and rear end components, an Ohlins Shock and Mickey Thompson Wheels and Tires.  He monitors air pressure thanks to an AirTek pressure monitor, and depends on a BTE Top Dragster transmission and torque converter.  Bogacki says that the Auto Meter Multi-Function Data Logger, which he uses to monitor and evaluate critical information including air/fuel mixture, engine & driveshaft RPM, G-force, and critical engine functions, is a huge key to his continued success.  Additional components include a B&M Pro Bandit shifter controlled by a Dixie electric shift solenoid, ISC Racer’s Tape, Nitrous Express components, and Earl’s hose and fittings.  Todd’s Extreme Paint designed and applied the car’s gorgeous paint job.

With his most recent win, Bogacki appears to be in dominant position atop the NHRA Super Comp standings.  The longtime racer, however, understands how quickly a championship season can turn and how many events remain on the 2013 schedule.  In 2010, he took the Super Comp lead with a clutch October LODRS victory, only to watch 4-time champion Gary Stinnett overtake him and earn the title at the final LODRS event of the season.  Last season, Bogacki fought hard all year but finished 3^rd in both Super Comp and Super Gas.  He is yet to earn a NHRA world title.  With 591 points in early July, Bogacki acknowledges that 2013 promises his best opportunity to win the Lucas Oil Championship, but is quick to point out that it’s far from over.

“I’m right where I had hoped to be at this point,” he said.  “But I’m not going to kid myself.  591 points is a great total in July, but 591 isn’t going to win the championship.  I’ve still got a lot of work left to do.  My goal at the start of each season is to get to 650.  Even 650 doesn’t guarantee the championship, but if you reach that mark you’ve had a championship worthy season.  That total is realistic for me this year, but the key is to keep digging and get there.”

Luke Bogacki’s key supporters include the Motor City Hot Rod & Racing Expo, ThisIsBracketRacing.com, K&N Engineering, Tinsley Drilling and Company, C.A.R.S. Protection Plus, Advanced Product Design (APD), Product Development Group – makers of AirTek pressure monitoring systems and Flo-Fast fluid transfer systems, JEGS, Bill Taylor Enterprises (BTE), and Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels.

BTE Transmission housing for Powerglide Transmissions now on sale

For the month of July, BTE is offering its popular powerglide SFI approved housing for a special price of $808 with free shipping.  This offer is available online at http://www.bteracing.com/BTE-NEW-Powerglide-Case.html as well as by calling us at 1-800-626-1828. 

This housing is fully SFI approved.  No transmission blankets or shields are required for competition.  A special IKO roller bearing is installed in the rear of the case to reduce output shaft drag.  This heavy duty casting requires no liners. 

BTE uses this housing on all of its Top Sportsman, Pro Mod, and Top Dragster racing powerglide transmissions. 

The new BTE / Memphis Performance catalog is on the way!

The new BTE / Memphis Performance catalog is on its way to the presses and then to your mailbox. If you don't receive yours in the mail, call us and we will send you a copy of your own. (We will also post .pdfs online, too!)

BTE's Aftermarket Powerglide Case Repair Service

BTE's Aftermarket Powerglide Case Repair Service

A broken output shaft or drive shaft can be devastating for the entire
driveline. Often the transmission housing or case will be damaged
severely. This is especially costly if you are using an aftermarket
case. ($800+!) But fear no longer, as BTE now has the ability to
repair most cases that have experienced this type of failure. Send us
your housing for inspection, and if it is salvageable, we can install
an insert into the rear of the case that will replace the damaged
section, resulting in a 100% functional transmission.

BTE Transmission Pressure Gauge

BTE940700 BTE Transmission Pressure Gauge
Having information real time information about engine RPM, oil
pressure, or fuel pressure are very important. Equally important, but
often overlooked, is information on the pressure level of your
automatic transmission fluid. Each transmission has an optimal
pressure range for each gear, and BTE's Transmission Pressure Gauge is
a great way to have this information available at all times when in
the driver's seat. Low or dropping fluid pressure can indicate a
number problems within the transmission, so having this information
can prevent costly transmission failure. With a maximum pressure
rating of 300 PSI, it will work for most applications. We also have 2
line kits available with lengths of 6 and 12 feet in length. The
gauge is manufactured by the leading USA performance instrument
company, and is available in attractive silver. We will also have
this gauge available in black sometime in the second half of 2011.

BTE Locking Dipsticks

Locking Dipsticks
BTE223850/223860/223950/223960

A key safety improvement in a racing powerglide is the addition of a
locking dipstick. A locking dipstick prevents fluid from venting or
blowing out of the filler tube and keeps it off the the track. These
rigid tubes mount closely to the transmission case to clear any
shields or tight transmission tunnels. The base of the filler tube
also includes a rubber boot for a snug and secure fit with the
transmission case. A locking dipstick is required at most racing
tracks. We have dipsticks available for standard setups or for
dragsters and altereds, and for stock and aftermarket transmission
cases. Pair this with our overflow tank kit for a very safe and race
ready transmission.


Find all of our BTE Dipsticks on the BTE website at www.bteracing.com

2011 BTE / Memphis Performance catalog is finished!

The 2011 BTE / Memphis Performance catalog is finished.  Check your mailbox in the next days for your copy.  The new catalog includes new powerglide parts, new torque converters, and many other new performance products.  If you are not on our mailing list, but would like to receive a copy, call us at 1-800-626-1828 to get your own copy!