GM clutch-flite question????????????

[1970 1/2 RS/SS Camaro]

My question is does anyone know how much HP this set up eats up or any info on this set up (besides it eats input shafts)?
I was talking with Maverick Performance out of PA. And they should have a complete kit for sale in a year or something like that. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[1970 1/2 RS/SS Camaro]

Bueller, Bueller...Anyone, anyone... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif

[Chevy454]

Back in day before converter technology came around the clutch-turbos and clutch-flites were the hot ticket...I can't count how many "how to" articles I've seen in old magazines about putting one of these together. We got one with our DH funny car...

[Stefano]

"Psycho too" has got one as well.

[1970 1/2 RS/SS Camaro]

Does eat as much horsepower as a standared automatic?

[John Brown]

It can't eat as much power. No converter slip and the front pump only works hard enough to lock up the clutches. You might give John Kilgore a call. He's "older than dirt" and can probably give you the low down.

[1970 1/2 RS/SS Camaro]

[ QUOTE ]
It can't eat as much power. No converter slip and the front pump only works hard enough to lock up the clutches. You might give John Kilgore a call. He's "older than dirt" and can probably give you the low down.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the info. So it sounds like that the clutch flite won't really eat up anymore HP then my 4 speed. And by the way who is John Kilgore?

[Chevy454]

I agree with John...you also don't get the heat from the converter, which works against the efficiency as well. As for Kilgore, he builds trick lightweight auto trannies for a large portion of the S/S crowd...

[1970 1/2 RS/SS Camaro]

Here is what I'm looking at http://www.wintersperformance.com/catalogs/SideWinder/32.htm they said it should be done in about a year. And there up dating the technology to.

[John Brown]

You might want to check deeper into the Clutch-Flite if they are based on a Chrysler transmission. Torqueflight transmissions have a ~ clutch off ~ band on ~ second gear shift sequence if I remember correctly (or is it the other way around?). The nice thing about a Turbo 400 is that the 1-2 and 2-3 shift are accomplished by locking up a clutch pack. Bottom line is clutch packs can lock up under full throttle, bands are more likely to slip during full throttle shifts.

[Motion Camaro]

<font color="blue"> I have 2 Clutch-Turbo transmissions.
The only HP loss is due to the weight over an aluminum 4 speed.
I like it better than the Liberty Hemi Crash-Box I used to have (as far as shifts), not as much fun though.</font>

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/200271-clutch_turbo%28Medium%29.JPG

[Chevy454]

John's right...a TurboHydramatic shifts quicker than a Torqueflite because it doesn't have to wait for the previous gear to disengage...or so I've read.

[1970 1/2 RS/SS Camaro]

Maverick performance said they're going to have it available in both trannys.

I'm planning to use my car as a track/Saturday night cruiser in town. With this tranny for street do you ease the clutch out and shift like a automatic the push the clutch in when your going to stop and for race dump the clutch at the RPM you want launch ?
By the way thanks for all the info. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[John Brown]

[ QUOTE ]
With this tranny for street do you ease the clutch out and shift like a automatic the push the clutch in when your going to stop and for race dump the clutch at the RPM you want launch ? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Mark, the only thing that will make much difference in the way you can drive on the street verses at the track will depend on the clutch. As long as your clutch disk isn't a metal puck type with a solid center, it should work fine on the street and the track. And yes, having no converter means you will have to use the clutch when you stop.

Actually a Lenco works the same way your clutch auto will. Only difference is a Lenco uses mechanically operated wedges to lock up the trans and an automatic uses hydraulic pressure.

Little known fact; the first Lenco's had Buick Dynaflow disks in them. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif

[1970 1/2 RS/SS Camaro]

Cool. Thanks for the info J.B. I think I'll be trying that set up. But the bad part is I'll have to wait until they produce it again. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif

[Verne_Frantz]

I have to say all that sounds academic to me. The TorqueFlite in my old Road Runner would do the 1-2 upshift on it's own and I'd leave a patch of rubber on the ground. It didn't feel slow or slipping to me.

Verne

[Motion Camaro]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm planning to use my car as a track/Saturday night cruiser in town.
With this tranny for street do you ease the clutch out and shift like an automatic
then push the clutch in when your going to stop and for race dump the clutch at the RPM you want launch ?

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="blue">When I drove mine on the street I used the clutch in all gears because
the trans hit SO HARD that my car would almost change lanes.
Even at around 20mph it is so violent you wouldn't believe it.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif &lt;-- this is it !!!

The great thing is you have an infinitely adjustable 'converter' at the track. (come out hard or soft)
I will also vouch it can handle 8000rpm launches. (at least with my small block).

Here is the clutch I'm going with now. It is a Ram adj. Press. Plate
with a 6 paddle SPRUNG disc, Mcleod Hyd T.O.B. &amp; an alum. flywheel. </font>

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/201057-ram_clutch%28Medium%29.JPG

[1970 1/2 RS/SS Camaro]

WOW!! This tranny sounds pretty intense http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif.
And your clutch set up Looks very nice http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/drool.gif. What brand of trans are using?

[Motion Camaro]

[ QUOTE ]
WOW!! This tranny sounds pretty intense http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/headbang.gif.
And your clutch set up Looks very nice http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/drool.gif. What brand of trans are using?

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="blue">It's a Fairbanks Trans.
To bad they are no longer around.
I always have had good luck with their products. </font>

[1970 1/2 RS/SS Camaro]

So I can use a TCI reverse manual valve body tranny, and hook it up to a clutch turbo kit and it should still work fine right?

[Motion Camaro]

<font color="blue">Any rev/man valve body should work fine.
Make sure the trans is in tip top shape. Remember,
there is NO LAG between shifts &amp; unlike a trans with a
converter, it hits those cluthes with FULL pressure every time.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

BTW: http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif Where did you get a clutch turbo "kit"?</font>

[1970 1/2 RS/SS Camaro]

[ QUOTE ]
<font color="blue">Any rev/man valve body should work fine.
Make sure the trans is in tip top shape. Remember,
there is NO LAG between shifts &amp; unlike a trans with a
converter, it hits those cluthes with FULL pressure every time.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

BTW: http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif Where did you get a clutch turbo "kit"?</font>

[/ QUOTE ]



------------------------------------------------------------


I don't have the kit yet. I talked to a guy at Winters performance and he said it should be out in about a year.
They have been working on reproducing it, do to so many request. But for the time being they only have some parts to sell for that set up, they had left over from 'back in the day'.
Here are a couple links http://www.wintersperformance.com/catalogs/SideWinder/32.htm http://www.wintersperformance.com/catalogs/SideWinder/31.htm

http://www.wintersperformance.com/catalogs/SideWinder/

[Motion Camaro]

<font color="blue">That's a great deal. hope it comes out.
My first automatic race shifter was a Winters through Fairbanks. Best shifter I ever owned.

I talked to Fairbanks years ago, when they were in Conn., They had 2 trans for sale in National Dragster, &amp; I asked if I could
get some parts for mine, (seal kit, bearings, o-rings,etc),. Their answer was,"No, we discontinued these trans. &amp; are not selling parts anymore."
I asked how they could advertise new trannys &amp; have no parts if they are damaged &amp; they said,"As is, No warranty."
Iasked if I could purchase the blueprints with the part #'s so I could build them &amp; they said,"We don't have them anymore. All that stuff is gone." (all in that nice (nasty) NY, NJ, Conn. accent).
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif WTF !
So anyway, many years later, I came across a fairbanks converter at the speed shop &amp; I wondered whatever happened to them.
I found them relocated in Talahassee, Fl.
I called &amp; talked to the new owner, yadda yadda yadda, he had nothing for the clutch-turbo &amp; got nothing about it.
I ordered all the race parts for my 200 4 R, which worked great. (Fairbanks Transmissions....(800)243-3496)

My hopes for parts were gone, until now, maybe.</font>

[1970 1/2 RS/SS Camaro]

The fella I talked to, I believe his name is Charlie. He in charge of this project. I not sure what parts they still have but they are for sale.

[EZ Nova]

Well, is there any news on this? It's been discussed on another forum with the winters setup as well. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Motion Camaro]

<font color="blue">I don't know the 'limit' that this trans can take, but ....
the reason I purchased my original was because I had a freind that had
a 1968 Camaro 427 that ran low 9's
with a clutch-turbo. Needless to say, I was very impressed.
When I actually purchased my first one, it was used &amp; came out
of am 8 second SuperPro Camaro. He changed it because he wanted to go 7's
&amp; his crew cheif didn't want to try it with the clutch-turbo.
When I purchased my back-up one (for parts, etc.) that guy did the same thing ...
accept, he was going high 7's / low 8's &amp; built a motor to go in the 6's.
He bought a Lenco for that combo, found out I liked the clutch-turbo by word of mouth &amp; sold it to me.

Soooo, in conclusion, No one I know has actually "BROKE" one.</font>