How much does the track balloon at the bulkhead?

[Mighty]

I removed the 1.5 paddle the previous owner installed to find that he also cut off the guards on the front heat exchanger. I went back to a 1.25 ripsaw and was planning on studding until I saw the guards missing. The originals were welded on so I wasn't sure how to re-attach something anyways. I had the sled apart for 2 weeks waiting for the new track to arrive and once it got here I said screw studding, I'll simply install the track and forget studs. Once back together I was noting the clearance between the track and heat exchanger. There's more than I thought there would be. Do I dare install a few studs without protection up there??????

There are no signs of the 1.5 hitting it anywhere. I really don't want to pull that damn track out to install some kind of protection, I'll go studless if that's the case

 

[pro116]

I wouldn't doo it if you do any hard launches or wheelies the way sled transfers they could hit.

 

[DC5]

If it is going to hit it will most likely be at top speed or when you let off of the throttle at high speeds. I wouldn't do it.