Clutch Question

I am currently looking to build an engine combination for my dragster. If I do it'll be in the 477-500 cubic inch range, big block chevy, on 75% nitromethane. I am wanting to run a direct drive, but not sure if it'll have the power to do so? The dragster is 150" wheelbase and weighs 1440 wet with driver and SBC with aluminum heads and powerglide. My original plans were to build a SBC for nitromethane, but decided to go big block if I do. I know enough about motors and such to know that I don't know much, but I realize that bottom end power, torque as some people call it, is in relation to cubic inches. The reason I'm looking into the big block is just that, I'd be able to have more bottom end power to get the thing moving off the line from idle. Since it'd be on nitromethane, I think that'd take care of most of the top end power there. So back to the question, what diameter would I want and how many discs would I need to run a direct drive?

Thank you, Randy

 

I play with a direct drive front motor car. It is small chevy powered. But I have it set up as a tire smoker. So the engine will rev and not bog under the launch. But that is a whole different deal than your talking about doing.

A big chevy on 75% should be perfect direct drive. I am in no way a expert on this. But there are a few guys here that know their stuff

As to how many discs and what diameter? Just call Crower and talk to the Tech department. They helped me alot. The most info I ever got from any clutch company I talked to.

Come on Lippy , Riceman and Rooman. Chime in.

 

Thank you for your advice on this. I am attending an automotive school and my goal is to get onto a professional fuel team, so I'm thinking if I could get some hands on with nitro and a clutch I'd have more to offer to start out with than most of the people I will be competing with for a job. What about a SBC, 360-377 cubic inch range, on 98% nitro? I am not sure if a BBC would fit into my dragster well. Would the SBC be enough for a direct drive? I am not concerned with what it'll put up on the board, just trying to get my feet wet with this. I am planing on helping out a N/TF car next March, but I also wouldn't mind learning this while driving a nitro beast! I have a thread similar to this one on here, and most said to go with a lenco 2 speed behind the 'glide and go high gear only. I have also heard you can't have a tire smoker because of the prep of today's tracks, but you have yours set up that way. What type of tires are you running? Once again I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who has and is reposting to my thread.