[Half-Inch Stud]

OK, I saw some impressive Manual cars running at Atco, and my attention is shifting toward revisiting the Manual Transmission & HYD clutch for the Street/Strip. Seems the Jericho is top-choice for our motors/weight/performance.
Yet, the cost is so silly.

I'd be more satisfied with a Planetary slushbox full of common parts like the TH400, with Bolt-on bellhousing, Aluminum Flywheel and HYD throwout bearing.

This is CEETAINLY going to screw-up my 60foots, but my methods in launching the clutch will be substantially similar to my present off-idle launch anyway - right?

Aside from the Stock DualGate Auto shifter, a fake Hurst Competition Plus with cable output would be neat.

Aside from broken rearend parts, this may be the last modification to the ride.

Question: Who has the Clutched TH400 and likes it?
Who sells the Bellhousing mod and HYD clutch and adapter input shaft?
How much will these parts cost?

[Half-Inch Stud]

OK, I saw some impressive Manual cars running at Atco, and my attention is shifting toward revisiting the Manual Transmission & HYD clutch for the Street/Strip. Seems the Jericho is top-choice for our motors/weight/performance.
Yet, the cost is so silly.

I'd be more satisfied with a Planetary slushbox full of common parts like the TH400, with Bolt-on bellhousing, Aluminum Flywheel and HYD throwout bearing.

This is CEETAINLY going to screw-up my 60foots, but my methods in launching the clutch will be substantially similar to my present off-idle launch anyway - right?

Aside from the Stock DualGate Auto shifter, a fake Hurst Competition Plus with cable output would be neat.

Aside from broken rearend parts, this may be the last modification to the ride.

Question: Who has the Clutched TH400 and likes it?
Who sells the Bellhousing mod and HYD clutch and adapter input shaft?
How much will these parts cost?

[LarryF]

Mark, I have been considering the same thing for my Lemans, except with a beefed up OD trans so it will be better for the street. If you do it I would like to know how it works out. I prefer the control that a clutch gives (and I think it's more fun to drive), but I haven't decided whether to use an automatic or manual trans.

------------------
Larry

'63 421SD LeMans...
in pieces in my garage
and basement

[KGTO]

HIS,
I thought of this same thing this summer. I did some checking on it and found that for the most part it never really took off. Hot Rod or Car Craft did an article on "clutch-turbo's" not too long ago. There is a transmission company that was doing these but I'll have to do some digging to come up with the name of the company. I was told to look up their ad in Natl. Dragster.
Apparently the reason I found that it never took off, from some of the racers around here was the fact that a automatic transmission wasn't designed for that kind of punishment. I thought it was a really cool idea. Trust me, I don't want to go with an auto in my ride, but there is no middle ground between a Muncie that will break or a Jerico that costs a bunch. I did do some research into Chrysler 833's and Liberty can get them to work pretty well unless you are making A LOT of power. Then its a Jerico. I have found a couple that have been modified to a GM input. I know of a guy who might still have one that can be picked up for a good price.

[455T/A]

I have one and it was behind my 540 BBC, and it was an awesome Trans. It hit hard every gear, you won't feel anything like it. It was a lot of fun. You can leave the line at any RPM you choose. I still have it and a dual disk clutch for it on the shelf. It has a Chrysler input shaft. The bell is a Lakewood steel housing and any major clutch company can supply you with a hydraulic throw-out bearing. My supercharged Pontiac will have a converter in it.

[This message has been edited by 455T/A (edited 11-15-2001).]

[Half-Inch Stud]

OK, after some digging I found the May 1986 Car Craft article..in my TH400 notes.
Poor Man's Lenco :
ADCO Racing in CA
Fairbanks Racing Auto in CT
McLeod Industries in CA

Article says the TH400 shift quality under load is extremely harsh without the torque converter to cushion the power transfer.
I guess in other words it feels like Flat-shifting all the time.
Guess Ya supposed to push the clutch in during the auto-shift huh.
Or, guess Ya supposed to get the manual valve body so shifting happens when you're clutching.

Questions remain: Who's using it, what ET's, 60foots, streetability, and COST>?

[Skip Fix]

You guys much be "youngsters" to not remember those tranny's. Before the Lenco came out they were used in alot of gassers and earlier funny cars. I believe B&M was even one of the earlier suppliers and one of the bid starts for the company."Clutch-flite" was one of the big ones.But then you guy probably don't remember Pro Stocks without Lencos. Back then even the Chevy Pro Stocks switched to the Hemi 4 speeds.

I think I did see some articel in the past 6 months about them again either in National Dragster or one of the big magazine.

[Half-Inch Stud]

I remember. Just don't want to pay the prices for a a a Lenco, and the the the Goofey shifter.

Seems a Fully Manual Valve-Body TH400 with the Clutch would be the Tiger's growl.

60foots remain a concern. Anybody got the good foots with a clutch?

[tom s]

From what I have heard from the ProNostalgia guys,the trans to run for strickly drag racing other than the Lenco is the clutchless Jerico.It has a clutch to leave and just pull the lever from then on.Dont know much as to how they work going up and down the gears on the street but seem to hold up with 800 to 900 HP.Tom

[Half-Inch Stud]

tom s ; Agreed that the Jericho is the choice but takes $3000 to get in.
I'l probably buy Titanium Valve keepers before getting the Jericho at List prices.

I'm guessing the clutched TH400 kit is around $600...guess I'll be calling tomorrow.

Rather content in breaking the TH400 first.
Hmmmm, shoulda kept the manual valvebody that I had. And the aluminum flywheel...dolp.

[PONTIAC DUDE]

Fairbanks was one of the first to build and use them back in the 60's/70's. It was called a Clutch Turbo. They work fine....to a point. When you start dipping into the mid and low 10's the front pump area won't hold up. There is a connector piece for the clutch setup that can't take the load. It's just to small and the cost to modify isn't there with PG's and convertor science designed to take todays power.
But if your still interested give them a call. I think they still mess with that stuff.

------------------
Injection is Nice, but I'd rather have 'GAS'....Nitrous that is.
http://www.angelfire.com/fl4/pontiacdude428

[Half-Inch Stud]

P-Dude:

I see the 3-fingered tang you are talking about; looks like a dicey way to drive the Front pump.

Would have hoped there was a design improvement by now. I will likely call this week.

[Daisey]

Check out

Bruno's Automotive Products, Inc.
14A Industrial Rd.
Addison, IL 60101

630-458-0073

[455HOGT37]

I have an unused Faibanks kit. It was for my 63 LeMans. I agree the part that drives the pump is questionable looking, seems to be a bronze casting. Email me, I have everything but the clutch, throwout bearing and case.

[jim brady]

I used one back in the mid seventy's in a 455 68 Firebird for about one season. I had a lot of front pump and clutch trouble. went back to the Hemi 4 speed with Doug Nash internals. It was extremaly durable. The car ran 10.70's and was easy on parts. also as I remember the car slowed down with the clutch turbo abot 2 to 3 tenths. I will have to look, but I think I may still have that stuff in storage

[This message has been edited by jim brady (edited 11-27-2001).]

[Brian Baker]

Bruno manufactures the opposite, I think, of what 1/2" is looking for. Bruno built their own tranny using a powerglide pump and convertor connected to a Lenco transmission. The goal was to isolate the "superheated" tranny fluid in the convertor from the rest of the transmission. These are big dollar setup's as well, but virtually bulletproof.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Brian,

Bruno Auto phone is sure busy...they say only 7Lbs rotating mass. Do you know if they have Planetary gearsets in their 2500HP manua/auto Trans?

H.I.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Ahem, so who's got a Clutched TH400 setup for sale?

Aluminum flywheel anybody?

H.I. Stud

"11.00/123MPH/1.50 60foot/29.5"/4.10:1/10"/472 #48/Flat HYD/DualQuad/Wenzler/3250Lbs
12.00/112MPH/1.61 60foot/26"/3.31:1/10"/472 #48/FlatHYD/Q-Jet/Torker/3650Lbs"

[GONZO]

Talk about reviving a thread!
Is the original post date on this correct?

Sorry H.I.S. wish I could help you out.Sounds interesting though

http://www.kingofgtos.com/index.htm

[GONZO]

Hey H.I.S. what specs are on that cam thats in yourcar?? Dur@.050? lift? LSA? LCA?

__BTC

__ABC

__BBC

__ATC

I always see you recommending it, but could not find it in any catalog

http://www.kingofgtos.com/index.htm