4 speed ka-booom !

weedburner said

If you are only using the SoftLoc for it's adjustable base feature (basically as a torque limiter), you can certainly dial it in for softer engagement. The problem is that the load the clutch sees is different at launch vs down the track in higher gears. If you set it up with minimum centrifugal and enough static pressure to lock up in high gear, without a some sort of buffer you will not be able to dump the clutch without losing rpm. Any time you lose rpm in that instant just after launch, you unnecessarily punished the drivetrain/tires/traction more than you needed to for a quick 60'.

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Hello weedburner,

I'm not doing any homework here as for a rebuttal. It's all on my memory from some 10 yrs+ ago. But I'll say the following:

As I recall, the technology behind a sintered iron clutch disc (the Soft Lok setup) is that it's gripping power increases with heat. Therefore less gripping power at launch and hence the desired slip and more gripping power down the track where slippage is not as much to your advantage.

The Mcleod Soft Lok never punished my drive train as in I never broke anything using it, 8-3/4 rear gear included. I was able to leave the gas pedal on the floor with no bog on launch nor any perception of significant RPM loss on shifts (as in violent). If you are saying the ideal clutch setup has constant RPM down the track, then you are burning a clutch disc to the point of incineration in short order IMO.

I used to launch at roughly 4,000 rpm and ran high 10s in the quarter mile with my 3.79 stroked 340. I don't think anything is better than a Soft Lok for an A-833 Chrysler 4-speed drag racer.

You seem to think different. So be it and that's fine but my opinion is just that. No big deal to me one way or the other. We all run what we can afford, what we can figure out, and what runs best on the track given all that. Fair enough? : )