Installing a modern fire-suppression system into our vintage racer

Update by Tim Suddard to the Elva Mk VI project car
Nov 5, 2024 | Elva, Elva Mk VI, Fire-Supression

Even a vintage race car needs a modern fire-suppression system. Fire burns just as hot as ever.

We chose the Lifeline Zero 360 2.25kg. Novec 1230 electric fire suppression system that is now available with a polished bottle. While we will get more into the actual system and installation in a later update, this $1249.99 system is compact and thanks to the new finish rather attractive.

First step: Where to mount everything? An Elva Mk VI is not a big car with lots of room. Mounting the unit low on the chassis and between the driver’s compartment and the engine compartment would be ideal and keep lines short and fire suppression as quick as possible.





The fire system only weighs a few pounds, so we didn’t need a complicated mount: We simply welded a couple of pieces of light angle iron to the frame and drilled holes for the fire system’s mounts.

 

How to properly install a fire-suppression system

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaGd7kBpb7s&t=1s


Update by Tim Suddard to the Ford Mustang Fastback project car
Jul 15, 2022

Even though most vintage sanctioning bodies don’t require a full-on fire-suppression system, getting in our car and heading out on track without one made little sense.

So we called James Clay of Lifeline USA and asked for a recommendation for our Mustang. He suggested the company’s Zero 360 FIA 2.25 kilogram Novec 1230 Fire Marshal system.

Priced at $699.99 and carrying FIA certification, this mechanical system is compact, lightweight, and–as we soon found out–easy to install. It puts nozzles both in the car and under the hood.

[[url=https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/project-cars/LS-Swapped-2003-Nissan-350z/installing-lifelines-compact-efficient-novec-1230-/]See how we installed an electrically triggered Lifeline fire-supression system in our Nissan 350Z.]

James and his crew showed us how to properly install the Zero 360 Fire Marshal system in our Mustang.

No matter the car, the Lifeline USA crew offers these installation tips:

• Read the instructions. It is vital to your safety and the safety of others that the fire-suppression system is installed as per the manufacturer's guidelines. The system is designed, tested and homologated this way. There's a science behind it all, and the outlined installation methodology is most effective.
• Use a back plate with a large washer when mounting the bottle. M6 screws with Nyloc locknut are recommended.
• Mount the extinguisher bottle with the gauge facing upward so tech inspectors can easily read it.
• Decide the mounting location of the nozzles prior to installation. Start with placing the nozzles and then measuring the tubing–measure twice, cut once.
• When cutting tubing, use tube cutters. Side cutters–or any cutting device that leaves jagged edges–aren't recommenced as they can pinch the tubing.
• When installing tubing, be careful not to kink the hose.
• Adel clamps are recommended to hold the hose in place.
• Different systems come with different nozzle styles and counts, so, again, it's critical to read the installation instructions and not place nozzles anywhere not intended or designed.
• Cockpit nozzles are best placed under the dash, away from legs and knees and aimed at an area roughly from waist to bellybutton.
• Engine bay nozzles should be placed between mid-height and top of the engine and be able to cover the sides and back of the engine.
• Nozzles must be rigidly mounted, not supported by just the tubing.
• Nozzles should be oriented with the nozzle spray horizontal or flat and not at an angle or vertical.
• Pull cables and activation switches should be placed within reach of marshals on each side of the car–whether both are inside or one is inside and the other outside.
• Once the cables are installed, confirm that the cables move freely and don't bind before mounting them to the bottle.
• Run pull cables through the bottom of the bottle and add cable clamps to the top.