mech to hyd clutch legality Q?

Tom keedle · 07-31-2009, 06:49 PM

ok, wondering if it's ok with nhra to run a hydralic clutch (T.O. bearing) where the was a mechanical linkage....
it sure would make my life easier

Alan Roehrich · 07-31-2009, 07:19 PM

I do not think that is legal. You really need to write to Bachelder or Gracia and get an answer in writing, and keep it with you.

Ed Carpenter · 07-31-2009, 08:11 PM

I had a hydraulic set up in my car at first. Yes in IHRA. No in NHRA. That was 3 years ago. I run mechanical now.

Jeff Lee · 07-31-2009, 11:03 PM

No in NHRA. Same with electro-magnetic clutch release...not even in superstock.

DonatoEng · 08-15-2009, 09:25 PM

If the car / truck originally had a hydraulic clutch system its legal.

Jeff Lee · 08-16-2009, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonatoEng

If the car / truck originally had a hydraulic clutch system its legal.

True, but the original question stated he had a mechanical and wanted to change to hydraulic.

Adger Smith · 08-16-2009, 10:59 AM

What about GT conversions? I took a quick scan of the rule book and nothing jumped out. Does the clutch system go with the car or the engine combination? You know most of these newer model conversions had Hyd clutches & some are only automatic.
Which way does it go?

Jeff Lee · 08-16-2009, 11:37 AM

The original poster is building a stocker. But on the GT question, I would ask why would you want a hydraulic system? They seem to pose quite a few problems in releasing the clutch at an acceptable rate, causing problems in engagement (based on what I have read and heard).
Todays clutches offer very little resistance; you can push the pedal in with your fingers if running a competitive unit. Even those units adjusted to a high base pressure are nothing like the old "3400+ pound" pressure plates which made your left leg shake at the stop light!
If space is a concern, GT allows quite a bit of floor / firewall rework. Is there enough room on a small GT car for all the z-bar and other linkage?

Jack McCarthy · 08-17-2009, 07:49 PM

travis said NO when i asked about the witch doctor, damn thing has a reverse "pull" cable clutch that some GM engineer is still laughing about.

captain jack

Tom keedle · 08-17-2009, 08:25 PM

now that we've decided that hydralic is out, can i modify the mechanical linkage w/ heim joints?

07-31-2009, 06:49 PM	#1
Tom keedle Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Berthoud, Coloraduh Posts: 695 Likes: 13 Liked 8 Times in 7 Posts	mech to hyd clutch legality Q? ok, wondering if it's ok with nhra to run a hydralic clutch (T.O. bearing) where the was a mechanical linkage.... it sure would make my life easier

07-31-2009, 07:19 PM	#2
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,095 Likes: 1,541 Liked 1,770 Times in 402 Posts	Re: mech to hyd clutch legality Q? I do not think that is legal. You really need to write to Bachelder or Gracia and get an answer in writing, and keep it with you. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

07-31-2009, 08:11 PM	#3
Ed Carpenter Live Reporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dripping Springs, Tx Posts: 2,709 Likes: 186 Liked 520 Times in 132 Posts	Re: mech to hyd clutch legality Q? I had a hydraulic set up in my car at first. Yes in IHRA. No in NHRA. That was 3 years ago. I run mechanical now. __________________ Ed Carpenter 2005 Chevy Cobalt A/SM Race Engine Development

07-31-2009, 11:03 PM	#4
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: mech to hyd clutch legality Q? No in NHRA. Same with electro-magnetic clutch release...not even in superstock. __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

08-15-2009, 09:25 PM	#5
DonatoEng Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Milford, MI Posts: 147 Likes: 12 Liked 8 Times in 5 Posts	Re: mech to hyd clutch legality Q? If the car / truck originally had a hydraulic clutch system its legal.

08-16-2009, 10:59 AM	#7
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,446 Likes: 575 Liked 880 Times in 311 Posts	Re: mech to hyd clutch legality Q? What about GT conversions? I took a quick scan of the rule book and nothing jumped out. Does the clutch system go with the car or the engine combination? You know most of these newer model conversions had Hyd clutches & some are only automatic. Which way does it go? __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS)

08-16-2009, 11:37 AM	#8
Jeff Lee VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anthem, Arizona Posts: 2,766 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: mech to hyd clutch legality Q? The original poster is building a stocker. But on the GT question, I would ask why would you want a hydraulic system? They seem to pose quite a few problems in releasing the clutch at an acceptable rate, causing problems in engagement (based on what I have read and heard). Todays clutches offer very little resistance; you can push the pedal in with your fingers if running a competitive unit. Even those units adjusted to a high base pressure are nothing like the old "3400+ pound" pressure plates which made your left leg shake at the stop light! If space is a concern, GT allows quite a bit of floor / firewall rework. Is there enough room on a small GT car for all the z-bar and other linkage? __________________ Jeff Lee 7494 D/S '70 AMX

08-17-2009, 07:49 PM	#9
Jack McCarthy VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: lyndon ky. ... louisville area Posts: 1,313 Likes: 27 Liked 440 Times in 111 Posts	Re: mech to hyd clutch legality Q? travis said NO when i asked about the witch doctor, damn thing has a reverse "pull" cable clutch that some GM engineer is still laughing about. captain jack __________________ Jack McCarthy 3609 STK "the Captain"

08-17-2009, 08:25 PM	#10
Tom keedle Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Berthoud, Coloraduh Posts: 695 Likes: 13 Liked 8 Times in 7 Posts	Re: mech to hyd clutch legality Q? now that we've decided that hydralic is out, can i modify the mechanical linkage w/ heim joints?