8/14/2023 0 Comments Drag car transmission![]() Consistency, reaction times, and reliability are all paramount, and this all comes with proper setup and good maintenance. Fine tuning the base pressure and counterweights enable stick shift drag racers to have a consistent and smooth race car.A number of different tunable variables play into the high-speed chess game that is bracket racing, all with varying ranks of importance over another, depending on the driver, the race car, and the style of racing. ![]() Counterweight enables the clutch to clamp harder as engine RPM increases due to centrifugal force. Simply put, the base pressure sets the minimum clamping force. Not all adjustable clutches are created equal, but most of them allow you to adjust both the base pressure and counterweight. Once you can quickly and consistently launch your car with your left foot, you earn the Driver Mod title.Īdjustable clutches have been around for a LONG time. Every car is different, so finding the perfect launch for your car will take a lot of practice. There’s a lot of skill in finding the balance between throttle, clutch, and track surface. Here are some of the most common methods for controlling clutch slip: Driver Modīy far the most common method for clutch slip is manually releasing the clutch pedal slowly with your left foot. It’s up to you to pick the right method that fits your application. There are many ways to control clutch slip. Thankfully we’re in the business of information! So I need clutch slip…but how? Those that do find themselves in the winners circle way more often and are reluctant to share their secrets. Many stick shift drag racers today do not understand these benefits of clutch slip. If you eventually lock that converter up, that energy is returned to the tires in the form of more acceleration. A slipping torque converter wastes energy. In fact, lock-up torque converters are surging in popularity because of this exact idea. It’s also the reason automatic cars get weight breaks in some of the most competitive forms of professional drag racing. This is the reason a stick shift car can be more efficient and than an identical automatic car. And while your engine has less of a load, your RPM’s are increasing quicker than they would otherwise with a fully locked up clutch. As long as your clutch eventually locks up in every gear, that potential energy that was stored in the clutch gets transferred back into the drivetrain! Not only that, but while your clutch is slipping, your engine has less of a load. Perhaps the most interesting part of clutch slip is that the torque (energy) is actually not wasted. Even automatic transmissions utilize internal clutch technology to get cars down the track. Drag cars, go-karts, stock Miata’s… you name it. The same principles apply to anything with a clutch. By carefully and methodically controlling how quickly the power from the engine is applied to the tires, they’re able to keep the cars from excessively spinning, wheelieing, and other undesirable run characteristics. We’re talking about planned, controlled, and beneficial clutch slip.Ĭontrolled clutch slip is how a Top Fuel dragster can put 11,000 horsepower to the ground gradually over 1,000 feet. Or if your clutch never locks up because it simply can’t hold the power – that’s also bad. When we’re talking about your 200,000 mile Ford Probe’s worn clutch – yes it’s a bad thing. ![]() What’s the secret? Clutch slip.īut wait…isn’t clutch slip a bad thing? Well, that depends. For over half a century, stick shift drag racers have utilized this powerful tool to propel them into the winner’s circle. Or they’ll give in to the weak and, “just put a glide in it.” Racers will constantly find the weakest link and keep upgrading until they’ve spent a small fortune in drivetrain parts. That’s why stick shift racing gets expensive. But too much tire spin will ruin your E.T. ![]() Unfortunately, this burst of energy commonly results in excessive tire spin. That sudden shock of energy will find the weakest link in your drivetrain and break parts. If you’re lucky, your drivetrain will survive the initial burst of energy and the torque will make its way to the rear tires. When you let out the clutch pedal and all that torque starts making its way rearwards through your clutch, bellhousing, transmission, driveshaft, U-joints, rear end, axles, wheel studs, wheels, and tires, something has to give.Įach of your drivetrain components must be strong enough to survive such a sudden shock of energy. Image Credit: Adam Dorey Why do stick shift cars break?įirst, we must understand one fundamental thing about energy (torque): The torque that your engine makes has to go somewhere. ![]()
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