DragRaceResults.Com    Bracket Talk    Bracket Talk Forum  Hop To Forum Categories  Tech Talk - by Abruzzi    2 speed vs. 3 speed
Go
New
Find
Notify
Tools
Reply
  
2 speed vs. 3 speed
 Login/Join
 
DRR Pro
Picture of Wallace Cleaver
posted
I'm used to running a powerglide in my FED, however, when I begin the door car build, I was told it might be in my best interest to look into a TH400 for the extra gear. I know the TH400 eats a ton of power so I'm concerned that will slow the car more than I'd like. I may use the car for some S/G stuff from time to time so would this play in your decision to go 2 speed?


Multi-time First round runner up extraordinaire
 
Posts: 38 | Location: UT | Registered: January 01, 2015Reply With QuoteReport This Post
DRR S/Pro
Picture of "The Bender"
posted Hide Post
What will the car weigh?


272" Spitzer
540 Chevy
The Blower Shop XR1
FTI XPM Series Converter
FTI Level 6 Powerglide
3.69@199
.916 60'

2017 Bradenton Heads Up Madness
Open Outlaw Champ

2018 PDRA T/D #5
2019 PDRA T/D #2

2020 Retired From T/D Competition....

2020 Bradenton NMCA Hemi Shootout Winner

2021 getting back into bracket racing with a Gen3 Hemi powered 87 Cutlass.
 
Posts: 3096 | Location: Yes | Registered: July 08, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
<DOTracer>
posted
My car is quicker with the 3 speed.

I would say the decision will come down to budget and what first gear ration you feel will best suit the combination.
 
Reply With QuoteReport This Post
DRR Pro
posted Hide Post
Wallace, give us some details about your build up. Weight, power, expected performance.


Larry Woodfin



 
Posts: 1828 | Location: Kilgore TX | Registered: March 12, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
DRR Pro
posted Hide Post
If deciding to go th400 consider installing one that the brake works in both 1st and 2nd gear.

I’ve looked at several this year and have decided to use Hipsters new 22748-1A from ATD.
 
Posts: 2447 | Location: 53056 | Registered: December 30, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
DRR Top Comp
Picture of Curly1
posted Hide Post
On my Camaro at 2900 Lbs the car was faster and more consistent when I went to powerglide. It lost a little in the 60foot but made up for it later down track.

One other thing with the T-400 the car would often do big wheel stands and pop tires out of the beams for a red light. Powerglide calmed it down a lot with out hurting ET. T-400 was more fun to drive but went more rounds with the glide.


https://postimg.cc/gallery/np3zpruo/
"Dunning-Kruger Effect"
-a type of Cognitive bias where people with little expertise or ability assume they have superior expertise or ability. This overestimation occurs as a result of the fact that they do not have enough knowledge to know they don't have enough knowledge.

Before you argue with someone ask yourself, "Is this person mentally mature enough to grasp the concept of a different perspective?" If not there is no point to argue.

4X NE2 CHAMPION. 2020 TDRA NE2 Champion
 
Posts: 3990 | Location: United States of Texas | Registered: April 02, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
DRR S/Pro
posted Hide Post
Even with the weight the 400 is .05 quicker and with a better 3 speed... maybe a dime.
5 years ago ( Firebird)...We tested the Coan xlt against Hughes glide back to back same day (1 hour), it was .04-.05. Same speed, same converter. The glide first gear 1.80, 400 was 2.10. If my memory is correct right at 40 lbs diff.
You might consider a Pro Trans if you have the money.
2000 Firebird TS Ness car 2390 # 632 Cu In

Yes the glide is more consistent.


Raceless in California!
 
Posts: 4479 | Location: Vacaville  | Registered: January 07, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post



DRR S/Pro
Picture of Lenny5160
posted Hide Post
I'd stick with the glide regardless of which performed better as far as ET.


Tony Leonard
 
Posts: 3151 | Location: Inver Grove Heights, MN | Registered: March 18, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
DRR Pro
Picture of Wallace Cleaver
posted Hide Post
Thanks guys. I dont have the new car in my possession yet so I can't answer well enough to be helpful.
If I were to guess, it should be around 2500#, will have my stack injected 470" that makes my 1700# fed run 8.40's in 6000'+ DA air. The new car has 4.10 gears and I'm not sure tire size yet.
However, I'll update once I have the car in my garage. Need to finish the season with my old heap first. Thank you!


Multi-time First round runner up extraordinaire
 
Posts: 38 | Location: UT | Registered: January 01, 2015Reply With QuoteReport This Post
<DOTracer>
posted
quote:
Originally posted by stk 758 BP!:
Even with the weight the 400 is .05 quicker and with a better 3 speed... maybe a dime.
5 years ago ( Firebird)...We tested the Coan xlt against Hughes glide back to back same day (1 hour), it was .04-.05. Same speed, same converter. The glide first gear 1.80, 400 was 2.10. If my memory is correct right at 40 lbs diff.
You might consider a Pro Trans if you have the money.
2000 Firebird TS Ness car 2390 # 632 Cu In

Yes the glide is more consistent.


I should have explained my comment further. I previously had a Rossler 1.80 terminator 5 glide and recently switched to a 2.10 Coan 400XLT, light weight, low drag, small drum th400. The 400xlt with the Reid case is 128 lbs where a stock th400 is 150 and the Reid case is somewhere around 10 to 15 lbs heavier than a stock case. The glide was 111 lbs. The 3 speed cost double what the glide was. I considered a Pro Flite but they are too fragile to be reliable.

I index race (8.50 at 3000 lbs) and the 3 speed ran similar 60's to the glide but was quicker to the 330', 660', 1000' and 1/4 mile, but lost mph. Probably lost 2 to 3 mph or so. Had to close the plate to keep the ET on the index after the switch.

That said, both setups can work just fine, it really personal preference. Most bracket guys will more than likely choose the glide.
 
Reply With QuoteReport This Post
DRR Pro
Picture of AlkyIROC
posted Hide Post
I like my glide. Slightly less torque multiplication off the line with the 1.76 first gear compared to a 3 speed but with only 1 shift point, it increases consistency. When track conditions are very good, I can still put the car on the back bumper. I'd hate to see what it would do with a 3 speed and a lower first gear.

Downside of using a glide is that you're in a gear for a longer period of time so your rpm range in each gear is a little longer. If you need to keep your rpm in a smaller range while going down the track, then more gears should be used. I shift at 7400 and it only drops back to around 6400 after the shift.

You can also convert a glide to be high gear only. A high HP car should provide more than enough torque to get you moving and with no shift points, consistency should improve.

Another advantage of a glide is axle size. With less torque multiplication off the line, larger, heavier axles are not required. I run 31 spline Moser axles. When I installed them, I painted a line down the axles. Years later when I pulled them to fix a leak, the lines and splines were still straight. If I went with a 3 speed, I would need 33 or 35 spline axles because of the increased launch torque.


www.hardtail.com Stephen's Racing Page
Best ET: 9.029
Best MPH: 150.45

 
Posts: 1351 | Location: Calgary | Registered: June 06, 2001Reply With QuoteReport This Post
  Powered by Social Strata  
 

DragRaceResults.Com    Bracket Talk    Bracket Talk Forum  Hop To Forum Categories  Tech Talk - by Abruzzi    2 speed vs. 3 speed

© DragRaceResults.com 2024