For Those Who Can Not Do It On Race Day

Mark I have an auto and a 4spd RAIV both Judges. One is a hardtop and I have posted a 1.92 60 foot auto and its about 100 lbs lighter than my convert. The convert is heavier and has the 1.86 60 foot, although that was its best 60 foot. I can get below 2.00's most of the time.

 

Burn the Clutch

Dave you should try the "Burn the Clutch" luanch John mentioned above. John, Paul and I were talking and I suggested this method. John's RA IV went from around 13.3's or so down to 12.90 on the next run. It sounds abusive but my clutch is six years old while using this method.

I luanch my car at over 3000 rpm slide the clutch for 20 or so feet. It workes for me and Paul got John's car down a huge amount. RA IV's have the same issue as your W31. Big cam, long first gear and Bog or smoke. This helps cut the middle ground fairly well.

You really are not using much clutch past the first few feet. It seems like 90% is engaged immediately. You just moderate the luanch with the rest for as long as it takes. Get it right and it almost no slide, get it a bit wrong and you will slide it for a while.

Hope this helps.

Mark

 

Yeah, I understand. That's the old technique from street racing. Unfortunately it's really hard to do that with a Centerforce DF. As soon as it feels some heat, it locks up. With the cam retarded and the M21, it takes a lot of R's off the line to avoid the bog. I launched last year at Norwalk at 5000 sliding the clutch for the 1.90's.

Almost like learning to walk all over again. :bglasses:

 

Dave I have a Centerforce DF in the Judge and Scott and I did the same to the HO with its Centerforce DF. Of course the HO made 544 lb ft of torque so falling off the cam was not an issue so we were only needing 2000 rpm and about 5-10 feet max of slide. Just enough not to spin.

Side note making this a thread for two. I talked to MCE and your W31 holds interest. Dan had interest in helping out, so we should talk about dynoing her this winter and doing an article. Maybe we can find some solutions for the bottom end torque then. PM me and we can talk if you still have interest in this.

Mark