Tunnel protectors for a sidewinder

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Last minute found an available 50th anniversary 137 and decided to update from a viper Prior to studding I've added the rear tunnel protectors. It is the Yamaha kit pn # SMA-8LR21-50-00 and comes with two protectors ; screws and glue. Noticed there is a channel in the middle of the exchanger for a third protector and now I'm seeing pics of sidewinders with 3 protectors installed.

Does this seem right to have to buy two of these kits in order to get all the parts that should be included in one kit? I checked and AC does include the three protectors for the Thundercat.

 

[krm]

I used BRP protectors ,wider and easier to install .Just cut to size

 

[Kevin]

my dealer included 3 when I picked up my sled last year
he said after paying that kind of money they should come with them

 

[Swampfox]

The kit I bought came with 3. It was from yamaha.

 

[Motorhead]

The kit I bought came with 3. It was from yamaha.

X2.

 

[KnappAttack]

You dont need the middle one. My Yamaha kit came with it but I'm not going to install it as I'll be studding the middle of the track too.

 

[34pontiac]

I got 3 from the dealer.

 

[Motorhead]

You dont need the middle one. My Yamaha kit came with it but I'm not going to install it as I'll be studding the middle of the track too.

So yes, I understand what you are saying. The only portion of the heater that should have protectors is the 2 spots where the track clips/ windows meet the heater, otherwise studs could hit the center protector if you stud the middle of track. If no studs in center I guess middle protector would hit track first whereas it has lugs and the windows do not!

 

[WinterWolf]

You dont need the middle one. My Yamaha kit came with it but I'm not going to install it as I'll be studding the middle of the track too.

If you're studding the middle...wouldn't you want the middle one?? I'm confused??

 

[Motorhead]

If you're studding the middle...wouldn't you want the middle one?? I'm confused??

All of my other sleds rear heat exchanger protectors were made to have the track window area hit on the protectors, so only 2 protectors. If protectors are thicker then the stud penetration, you should be OK. Rubber does have a lot of give so on a real bad bottom out situation, you may get some scratching on the heater from studs if protectors aren’t thick enough.

I did install all 3 but with an ice attack 1.22” I have no scratches on my middle protector.

But if you were studding the middle with real studs, the studs would make contact with middle protector before the window portion of the track hits on the 2 outside protectors. So good point by KnappAttack.

 

[WinterWolf]

Looking at Dans installation of his protectors, I believe he installed all three on his RTX..unless I'm remembering wrong?

 

[Motorhead]

Looking at Dans installation of his protectors, I believe he installed all three on his RTX..unless I'm remembering wrong?[/QUOTE

He may be not studding the middle of track and staying 1.5” off center with his pattern, as advised by many on this forum.
So studs would not be able to touch the center mounted protector. That is my guess.

 

[WinterWolf]

You dont need the middle one. My Yamaha kit came with it but I'm not going to install it as I'll be studding the middle of the track too.

Well knapp says he's gonna stud center, but still not install it. Yet you say DAN may not be studding center..so he installed it.

For some reason I just can't understand these ideas..if you stud across center you don't want the center one in???? And if you're not studding center , you want it in???? Common sense wound argue just the opposite. I must be not getting it lol. Sorry.

If it's me, I would want all 3 in mine..and I'm studding across the center. If somehow something went wrong I'd want that 3rd protector there.

 

[DMCTurbo]

I have all 3 in and I'm studded up the middle.

 

[KnappAttack]

Well knapp says he's gonna stud center, but still not install it. Yet you say DAN may not be studding center..so he installed it.

For some reason I just can't understand these ideas..if you stud across center you don't want the center one in???? And if you're not studding center , you want it in???? Common sense wound argue just the opposite. I must be not getting it lol. Sorry.

If it's me, I would want all 3 in mine..and I'm studding across the center. If somehow something went wrong I'd want that 3rd protector there.

What good does the center one do? Nothing.

I've blown a track with just the outside two and it balloned the tunnel hard everywhere. never did a thing to the exchangers however.
The track does not flex in the middle and allow studs to hit. The middle protector does nothing for function but add weight.

I've also ran just a single 1/4" wide single protector down the center of the tunnel with success also because I used hooker plates on the track and a double Bender plate smack in the center of the track so the studs went on each side of that 1/4" wide tunnel protector. Every bit of real-estate on my 15" wide drag tracks were taken up by studs and mega traction lines. If one of my drag tracks spun it would dig a 15" wide trench so I had to get creative with tunnel protection.

As long as the studs cant rip into the exchangers, there will be no problems.