Boninfante Clutches (3 Viewers)

[65 Goatboy]

THE APEX PREDATORS OF NITRO RACING: WHY ROB BONINFANTE NEVER STOPS CHASING PERFECTION | Competition Plus

Born into one of drag racing's best-known families, Boninfante grew up immersed in nitro competition. His father, Nick Boninfante, promoted races before

competitionplus.com

Easy to see why his stickers are on so many cars.

 

[65 Goatboy]

Strangely enough after CP did their article, Joe Castello and WFO Radio's most recent interview is Rob Boninfante along with JR Todd. It's Rob's first ever interview and if you like nitro it's a must see. The complexity of todays clutch discs is beyond amazing.

 

[none]

Could the next evolution be a Torque Converter?

Alan

 

[z28]

Could the next evolution be a Torque Converter?

Alan

if they can build one to handle the torque

 

[none]

I thought the same thing a few years ago about Pro Mod and Top Alcohol.
Then they did.

I actually thought many years ago (being a construction equipment guy) how about a Hydrostatic Drive? Seemed to me a natural, steady engine speed, unlimited variable drive, full lock-up.

Why not?
Alan

 

[Ponyhntr]

Could the next evolution be a Torque Converter?

Alan

It has definitely been talked about. A certain team owner with ties to a converter company wants to try it.

 

[scratch]

From a safety standpoint, would a torque convertor failure not spray (however many gallons of) boiling hot flammable fluid that is in the convertor resulting in some sort of horrendous conflaguration ? Being a guy who has never owned an automatic transmission equipped racecar, let alone aa automatic transmisson musclecar, I must admit I do not know much about automatic transmissons nor torque convertors. Perhaps someone can explain the theory of a failsafe convertor behind a fuel car ?

 

[mgty3whlr]

It just adds to the equation of parts failure. Imagine that clean up.

 

[none]

Hard to stop evolution. First time I heard of a torque converter in an Alcohol Car I thought it would never hold up. Now? I can't remember the last failure.

And yes, I know a Nitro Car is different, that doesn't mean it can't be done. And as Josh pointed out, there is already at least one person looking at the possibility.

Alan

 

[Ponyhntr]

From a safety standpoint, would a torque convertor failure not spray (however many gallons of) boiling hot flammable fluid that is in the convertor resulting in some sort of horrendous conflaguration ? Being a guy who has never owned an automatic transmission equipped racecar, let alone aa automatic transmisson musclecar, I must admit I do not know much about automatic transmissons nor torque convertors. Perhaps someone can explain the theory of a failsafe convertor behind a fuel car ?

There is at least 1 nitro ProMod that has a converter in it already. (Did you know Palmer isn’t the only person to ever build one? ). Marty Chance owns it, and has been developing a converter for it for several years now.

 

[J. S.]

Could the next evolution be a Torque Converter?

Alan

Interesting idea, but I don't think there is anything to be gained by being the guinea pig who tries to develop this idea (or any other major new idea) for fuel cars. Developing something new like this just costs way too much money. It's hard enough to get these cars to go down the track using all the existing tried and true parts, even if Alan Johnson gave you his exact tune-up - due to all the variables involved. And throwing in another new part that has to be tested, modified, and tested again is just not cost effective. This is a big part of why we see so few major changes with the fuel cars in recent decades.

I'm sure, Alan, that you are aware of all this, but it is still fun to talk about.

 

[none]

Chelsea Clark spent more than two years and who knows how much money working on the EFI and engine management for TAD when it wasn't legal to run.

Once he proved the concept he submitted it for approval and it was granted. That's how this stuff works.

Don't remember the exact time but a few years ago Jim Head was testing a Carbon clutch. Instead of sintered iron discs and steel floaters, it was Carbon on Carbon. It also wasn't legal in competition, but if they proved it was feasible, they would submit it for approval. That experiment didn't work, so it was dropped.

You might be surprised how often things are tested that are not legal, but often that's how you prove what area to go to work in.

Alan

 

[mick]

first off, this is a great thread. posts/comments are very informative ..... finally had time to listen
to rob boninfante on wfo. IMO that might be the best technical interview i've ever heard from joe.
thank you to rob b. for taking the time to talk in depth about his mnfg. processes.

 

[Chili]

Chelsea Clark spent more than two years and who knows how much money working on the EFI and engine management for TAD when it wasn't legal to run.

Once he proved the concept he submitted it for approval and it was granted. That's how this stuff works.

Don't remember the exact time but a few years ago Jim Head was testing a Carbon clutch. Instead of sintered iron discs and steel floaters, it was Carbon on Carbon. It also wasn't legal in competition, but if they proved it was feasible, they would submit it for approval. That experiment didn't work, so it was dropped.

You might be surprised how often things are tested that are not legal, but often that's how you prove what area to go to work in.

Alan

Didn’t most of the other blown dragsters get upset when they legalized the EFI combo?

 

[T.Smith]

Chelsea Clark spent more than two years and who knows how much money working on the EFI and engine management for TAD when it wasn't legal to run.

Once he proved the concept he submitted it for approval and it was granted. That's how this stuff works.

Don't remember the exact time but a few years ago Jim Head was testing a Carbon clutch. Instead of sintered iron discs and steel floaters, it was Carbon on Carbon. It also wasn't legal in competition, but if they proved it was feasible, they would submit it for approval. That experiment didn't work, so it was dropped.

You might be surprised how often things are tested that are not legal, but often that's how you prove what area to go to work in.

Alan

Jeff Hamilink out of Minnesota also tested some carbon discs in his TAD. Late 1990's, early 2000's. If I remember correctly, they would get really aggressive when they got hot.

 

[none]

Kinda like the brakes, the brighter RED the more they Grab!

Some of the TA class isn't crazy about the EFI, and some have embraced it. Brian Hough may have the most advanced system there is.

Alan