Transmission Vs. Torque Converter, Which is better?

[SlyOneJr]

Ok, I have the option to run either a Harley Davidson transmission/clutch setup or a Torque Converter setup with the engine I am running, was thinking the T.Q. setup would be less maintenance and would be more constistant as far as ET's go, and figuring that the Transmission/Clutch setup would be faster and quicker, especially with a automatic shifter system. Any imput on this?
Jeff

[Mac]

Opinions differ on which type is best and why. Your understanding is basically correct....in theory. Actual results may vary.

I am a believer in the torque converter system, mostly for the reasons you mention. I also believe a properly tuned torque converter is noticably superior to an air shifted transmission in a lightweight drag vehicle since the shifts are eliminated. I also think launching the car will be more reliable with the converter. I have been wrong in the past, so my opinion is nothing more than that. I suggest you pay attention to the results the sonwmobile powered bikes are getting.

Doug3170 & I have a Kawasaki powered Mini Funny Car on the back burner and we are slowly converting the Kaw to utilize a snowmobile torque converter system. It will not be running this season, so our final results are unknown.

[Wicked Fast]

Coming from the manual transmission side. I can say that if you are running a index, the ability to do quick calculated short shifts provide a good way to adjust your ET. ( and screw with your opponent once you know where your power band best suits your track position)
My 2 cents.

[eeyore]

There are advantages to both, on a personal basis I would call attention to the success of the two Yamaha HRD cars, We do not feel our success is completely based on the CVT set ups, but not having a transmission, we do not miss shifts, also, if we wheel spin we do not have the problem of the rapid shifts that can take place when using a auto shifter. We have been using weight as our primary fine tuning for changing weather and track conditions and look over in envy at the ability to tune using the shift points and kill time afforded by the cars with transmissions.
The First two years, we struggled with the reliability of the HRD clutches, the RX-1 engines just made to much power for the HRD clutches, but changing to the Comet clutch with the Arctic Cat Driven has proven to be very reliable and I think that reliability gives us a advantage in clutch consistency over the Sliders, I do believe the sliders can be just as consistent as our CVT's but I also think the slider will require greater attention to accomplish it.
On the Harley's. I would not hesitate to run the CVT, Given the amount of torque the Harley makes, the CVT can be tuned to soften that hit to help blowing away the tires, of course this can be done with a adjustable clutch on a transmission application, but again at a much higher maintenance cost. I also believe that the CVT will smooth out the way power pulses that are applied to the tires and track. Again, eliminating those shifts, the possibility of missed shifts, and the wheel spin that could be associated with those shifts.
As we learned with the CVT Harley here in Denver, getting that set up working requires a lot of work, that crew has put a lot of effort into that set up but the advantages over the transmission operated Harley cars was pretty much apparent right away. But again, that set up is a up hill battle with mounting, starting etc.

In Summery, I think the Japanese motorcycle powered cars are very capable of gaining a advantage over a CVT snowmobile applications in Jr Comp.
But I feel the Harley's can gain a lot running a CVT.