Stick questions
 

I am a bracket racer. Lets get that straight just because I know a lot of you guys on here are class racers and y'all have the best knowledge about manual tranny's so this is where I came for knowledge. Here's my combo (It's for the No Box class. Not any NHRA or IHRA Stock or SS class. Just want to be clear so no one here thinks I'm just a tire kicker or index dreamer).

2500lb car (Nova)
Caltrac bars, leafs, shocks
M/T 31.0'' x 10.5'' - 15''W ST's
350/285 GM Crate motor (diff cam, stronger springs, and push rods for high RPM)
QFT 750 Alky carb
APD belt drive fuel pump
Stock heads with a lot of massaging with matching intake
Stock everywhere else besides ignition

The reason for them is I don't know a damn thing about a stick car. Don't even know HOW to stage a stick car, or do the burnout (guessing like a pro stock. Start from 3rd and go up from there). I want to build a stick car so that way I can have something different, orgional, and cool. I just don't have the $$$ or passion to go class racing like I do for bracket racing. I know my way around a Glide and converter pretty well so any relation on how one works compared to the other is awesome in understanding for me. So...

Here are my questions

1.) About what rear gear should I be looking for?
2.) 4-speed, or 5-speed???
3.) What is my maintenance on the clutch and transmission (between races)?
4.) Is there anything I have to do in between rounds if everything goes right?
5.) Can I make 7-9 laps on the car in one day without smoking the clutch, varying my E.T., or R/T?
6.) Can I make 1,100 hits on a clutch/tranny combo a year?
7.) How long does it usually take to dial in the clutch/gear ratio setup?
8.) Can I still leave normal and just shorten shifts to run 1/8 mile with same gear ratio? (Don't want to hunt for TWO spots on the tree)
9.) What clutch and trans brands are the best to go with after reading all these questions?

Thanks y'all. Long time looker, first time poster due to the fact that I have a legitimate question and don't really know enough on class racing to offer my $.02 99% of the time.

Re: Stick questions
 

Welcome aboard,, long time looker. Don't be afraid to post your real name,,, might get more response that way. Don't know how dedicated you want to get, moneywise and partswise, but you can check out the "manual trannys" thread in here and theres some good advice a few pages in, to help with your decision. Transmissions and clutches have come a long ways since I did it 35-40 years ago. Theres some good, knowledgable racers on here that can point you the right direction. Good luck with your project.
Danny Durham

Re: Stick questions
 

Thanks Danny, I'll look into that. Btw my real Name is Mike Shabareck, just everyone calls me Shabs.

Re: Stick questions
 

That is a pretty light car. It is possible to do those things, but you will need good stuff, some good advice, time and money. If you put that many runs a year on, you will need to have some spare stuff around to make maintenance easier. I mean like a spare clutch for starters. One thing about any car is that if you can change out parts with fresh stuff, you can keep racing while you inspect and freshen parts. Not too many of us put even half that many runs on in an entire season, but we do tend to push our stuff a bit harder than the average bracket car.

I think the best thing you could do is to find a stickshift racing mentor that can evaluate your current equipment, your goals and your wallet. If all that works out, then see if they will coach you at the track as a crew chief and driving coach.
There is also a site called UMTR that has stickshift racers on there as well.

If you can do this, you can have a lot of fun!

Just to give you a feel for it, there was a jerico clutch etc for sale in the classracer parts ads. You would have to evaluate the deal, but that is an example of the kind of investment needed just to swap over.

Re: Stick questions
 

Welcome aboard and Jim is right. Go to www.umtrnorth.com and then go to forums and sign up. You will have to get approved by the admin before posting but that should only take a day so just check back. There is a lot of info between this board and the UMTR board that should help you figure out the best plan of attack for you. Where are you located?

Re: Stick questions
 

I would never consider a stick car for over and over weekend bracket racing , at least at the faster levels anyway.
For what you are doing , maybe.
And I am a stick guy BTW , but for the occasional 6.0 / 9.50 index racing , and I'm OK with it. But I'd op out for weekend brackets for sure.........but at 350 inches my stuffs on the ragged edge anyway........

Re: Stick questions
 

On gearing question on gear&1/8-1/4 changes for max rpm you want in 1/4 ,and does'nt matter 4 or 5 spd you will be in high gear 500-600',I had car went in high gear@ mph trap in 1/8 it was 5 spd ,I would run through in 4 th when racing 1/8 was easier to drive finish line that way.
Take MPH X gear ratio (rear gear)X 336 divided by tire height =RPM this formula will be almost dead on for a stick car,auto has to factor in conv. slip.

I always stage at dead idle,and just use foot on brake,this is my preference because car will move easy and smoothly and not put heat in clutch,I have line lock on shifter for burnout,have micro switch that clutch linkage contacts that operates line loc,you can also have 2 step connected, I use high side chip, then when clutch is released line loc is also.
On full tree you have plenty time to bring RPM up,I usaully go WOT @ 1 st amber.

You could probaly have clutch dialed in 1-2 test-n-tunes, You could probaly run 6-8 races with no work,watch your time slips the incrementals(spell) will tell you when service is due which could be just adjust base press and adjusting air gap or may have to deglaze disc,which can be done by glass beading@ low press.

The weight and HP of your car,I feel like you would be very low maintance on clutch,once you had dialed in and learned your combination.

As far as between rounds goes about the most you'll have is to do is have something to cool inside bell housing,leaf blower,squirrel cage w' ducting, probaly just in later rounds

Mike Taylor 3601

Re: Stick questions
 

The best person to contact on this automatic to stick switch over would be Kyle Ratcliff.

Re: Stick questions
 

#8 Try to gear the car so you shift to top gear just after the 1/8 mile .---Trevor