Two step/three step and engine life.
 

Lately it came up in conversation “do not use a three step for controlling burn out RPM”
And from time to time you will hear, “those two steps will break the crankshaft”

For the record, I am highly skeptical of such clams. I began using those items about 1992 and to my knowledge, never any problem because of doing so.
So just for conversation I decided to pose these questions:

*Do any of you have solid, factual info on the subject?

*Are the “it will break parts” statements simply hearsay or “they said?”

Because I have no personal experience of problems with using a 2 – 3 step, I will continue doing so. Just thought it would make an interesting topic.

Re: Two step/three step and engine life.
 

i use a two step for rpm launch with my stocker off the foot brake,the only thing that i have had is the thrust bearing go away ,the low rpm of the two step (3200) might have caused the crank to shuck back and fourth thats the only thing i have seen in my appliaction ,i just freshened the engine and that was the only evidence and thats with two seasons ,everything else was in good shape
gmonde

Re: Two step/three step and engine life.
 

i wounder if it'd be an issue with a clutch?

Re: Two step/three step and engine life.
 

A two step won't cause thrust bearing failures. Thrust failures are caused by lubrication failures, or pressure from either the clutch or the torque converter.

I do not like using a rev limiter in the water, I figure if I can't control the RPM there, I need to quit.

A rev limiter would most likely cause a crank to break at the 1-2 rod throw, or the 7-8 rod throw, since it will cause torsional shock due to the misfires. In near 30 years, I've never seen a crank failure I could say was caused by a rev limiter.

Re: Two step/three step and engine life.
 

Larry:
If you have the December 10 2010 issue of National Dragster, in his Technically Speaking column, David Reher's topic is" Are Burnouts Abusing Your Engine?" Excellent article which contains information about using rev limiters. Danny