Boninfante Clutches (6 Viewers)

[65 Goatboy]

Yes, the alcohol cars run a transmission. The torque converter can still be “tuned” to work similar to a clutch in a TF car, in fact, a lot of them have clutches in them to lock them up.

Marty Chance’s TF Pro Mod doesn’t have a transmission in it, it runs similar to a direct-drive clutch.

Wonder how much fluid they run in the converter? It would have to be like a dry sump with a pump. Street cars had lockup torque converters in the early 80's, I think Chrysler was first in maybe 78 or 79. I was building automatic transmissions in the 80's and 90's and the lockups caused a lot of driveability problems. Seems like a "lockup" torque converter might be the perfect next evolution in top fuel as it would be much more consistent then todays 6 disc clutches, if someone can design one to handle 12,000 hp

 

[Ponyhntr]

Wonder how much fluid they run in the converter? It would have to be like a dry sump with a pump. Street cars had lockup torque converters in the early 80's, I think Chrysler was first in maybe 78 or 79. I was building automatic transmissions in the 80's and 90's and the lockups caused a lot of driveability problems. Seems like a "lockup" torque converter might be the perfect next evolution in top fuel as it would be much more consistent then todays 6 disc clutches, if someone can design one to handle 12,000 hp

I’m not sure how much fluid they hold, but there are 3 different converter drives available. Most use a Ty-Drive, or there is the Bruno Drive, or the Quick Drive.

 

[mick]

lets just say someone figured out how to apply a torque converter in the nitro classes. could it conceivably work
better than the current multi-disc/floaters setup? to the point where they do not need to apply the same amount of HP?

 

[z28]

lets just say someone figured out how to apply a torque converter in the nitro classes. could it conceivably work
better than the current multi-disc/floaters setup? to the point where they do not need to apply the same amount of HP?

my thoughts also

 

[none]

I'm far from an expert, but it seems to me that a big hurdle would be slipping the converter to keep the tires hooked up when they are RPM sensitive. It the engine goes 8400 RPM at the hit how would you stop it from blowing the tires off?

The driveshaft doesn't catch the engine now until about 2.6 to 3 seconds while it burns through the clutch. But the engine is running pretty high the entire time. Looking forward to learning more.....

Alan

 

[Butch]

Kinda reminds me of the way a Crowerglide worked.
As for the rpm

 

[65 Goatboy]

Kinda reminds me of the way a Crowerglide worked.
As for the rpm

A crowerglide is a basic centrifigal or "automatic" clutch like a go-kart or mini-bike which is also what todays fuel clutches are except they are now much more sophisticated with the computers and air timers. A torque converter is also an automatic clutch.

 

[Butch]

Yes tried one in the 70s, went back to Hayes

 

[mick]

speaking of converters, dean dubbin debuting a front engine injected nitro TAD with FC style cage.
can't figure out if kirk wolf or dean will be driving the conventional TAD, and who will be in this new prototype.
hats off to them for trying this. between del's new TAFC combo and dubbin's unconventional ride, the alcohol classes
will well worth paying attention to this weekend.

Dubbin Motorsports Looking for Success in Brainerd With Two Radically Different Cars | Drag Illustrated

After a season defined by frustration, Dean Dubbin and the Dubbin Motorsports A/Fuel Dragster team arrive at Brainerd with something they haven’t had much of in 2026: momentum. Persistent mechanical issues have kept the team on its heels for much of the year, forcing Dubbin to regroup...

dragillustrated.com

 

[65 Goatboy]

speaking of converters, dean dubbin debuting a front engine injected nitro TAD with FC style cage.
can't figure out if kirk wolf or dean will be driving the conventional TAD, and who will be in this new prototype.
hats off to them for trying this. between del's new TAFC combo and dubbin's unconventional ride, the alcohol classes
will well worth paying attention to this weekend.

Dubbin Motorsports Looking for Success in Brainerd With Two Radically Different Cars | Drag Illustrated

After a season defined by frustration, Dean Dubbin and the Dubbin Motorsports A/Fuel Dragster team arrive at Brainerd with something they haven’t had much of in 2026: momentum. Persistent mechanical issues have kept the team on its heels for much of the year, forcing Dubbin to regroup...

dragillustrated.com

The Funster! First ever dragster running on nitro with a torque converter in Nhra competition.

Drag Illustrated "Brainerd has never been short on strange sights, both on the track and deep inside “The Zoo,” but this year the debut of the Funster may outdo anything fans encounter in either place. The unconventional, converter‑driven, injected‑nitro hybrid dragster is poised to be the most talked‑about oddity of the weekend."

 

[Ponyhntr]

The Funster! First ever dragster running on nitro with a torque converter in Nhra competition.

Drag Illustrated "Brainerd has never been short on strange sights, both on the track and deep inside “The Zoo,” but this year the debut of the Funster may outdo anything fans encounter in either place. The unconventional, converter‑driven, injected‑nitro hybrid dragster is poised to be the most talked‑about oddity of the weekend."

They must have put a clutch in it, because converters are not legal behind a nitro combo in Top Alcohol. I believe the car was ran last year with a converter at a Chaos race.