Trans brake?

art leong · 02-13-2011, 08:57 PM

How much does a trans brake help a car?
I've been leaving at 4500 (converter will go to 5500 against the brake).
I had a problem with the brake at E'town last year. And had to run off the foot brake.
I couldn't hold the car above 2700, with the foot brake (without the 2 step) but it still ran a decent number.
I have redone the brake system, so I should be able to hold it on the line higher. And the 2 step will keep the rpms in control. I think (just a guess) I'll be able to get 3500 or so out of it.
I've fixed the brake and can use it if needed, But it was the cause of every part I've broken so far..
Just trying to guestimate how much I'll lose (if anything) without the brake?

Back in 1979 we tested the first ever Torqueflite a727 brake On our stocker. It was not illegal then nobody knew much about them then. It didn't go any faster.
We gave it to Steve Bagwell and it made his car do the biggest wheelie ever. But don't know if it picked up anything.

Rich Biebel · 02-14-2011, 08:25 AM

Art a trans brake doesn't make a car go faster. All it does is allow you to leave at a higher rpm than off a footbrake and it shocks the driveline more.

If a higher rpm launch is what your car needs to run faster than a trans brake will help. It is more like a stickshift launch. Sometimes it's faster, sometimes not.

If you left the line at the same rpm.....footbrake vs transbrake......the odds are it would not change much.

I resisted trans brakes when they came out and when many bracket racers used them I still footbraked. I always footbraked any Stocker I raced and never button launched one.

Myron Piatek · 02-14-2011, 05:45 PM

Doesn't the line pressure need to be higher in a trans-brake application? If so, that may take some HP. I've always footbraked and it depends on the combo. But I believe when the carb is set up right, a trans brake won't help as much, if any.

02-13-2011, 08:57 PM	#1
art leong VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Richmond Hill, Georgia Posts: 2,003 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Trans brake? How much does a trans brake help a car? I've been leaving at 4500 (converter will go to 5500 against the brake). I had a problem with the brake at E'town last year. And had to run off the foot brake. I couldn't hold the car above 2700, with the foot brake (without the 2 step) but it still ran a decent number. I have redone the brake system, so I should be able to hold it on the line higher. And the 2 step will keep the rpms in control. I think (just a guess) I'll be able to get 3500 or so out of it. I've fixed the brake and can use it if needed, But it was the cause of every part I've broken so far.. Just trying to guestimate how much I'll lose (if anything) without the brake? Back in 1979 we tested the first ever Torqueflite a727 brake On our stocker. It was not illegal then nobody knew much about them then. It didn't go any faster. We gave it to Steve Bagwell and it made his car do the biggest wheelie ever. But don't know if it picked up anything. __________________ Art Leong 2095 SS Last edited by art leong; 02-13-2011 at 09:14 PM.

02-14-2011, 08:25 AM	#2
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,314 Likes: 25 Liked 544 Times in 213 Posts	Re: Trans brake? Art a trans brake doesn't make a car go faster. All it does is allow you to leave at a higher rpm than off a footbrake and it shocks the driveline more. If a higher rpm launch is what your car needs to run faster than a trans brake will help. It is more like a stickshift launch. Sometimes it's faster, sometimes not. If you left the line at the same rpm.....footbrake vs transbrake......the odds are it would not change much. I resisted trans brakes when they came out and when many bracket racers used them I still footbraked. I always footbraked any Stocker I raced and never button launched one. __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R

02-14-2011, 05:45 PM	#3
Myron Piatek VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 1,542 Likes: 34 Liked 138 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Trans brake? Doesn't the line pressure need to be higher in a trans-brake application? If so, that may take some HP. I've always footbraked and it depends on the combo. But I believe when the carb is set up right, a trans brake won't help as much, if any.