Difference between Clutched and Clutchless transmissions

[Chris Hill]

I know this is a dumb question, but what is the difference between a clutched and clutchless transmission?

Please no smart *** like one has a clutch and the other one does not.

[Tom keedle]

Originally Posted by Chris Hill

I know this is a dumb question, but what is the difference between a clutched and clutchless transmission?

Please no smart *** like one has a clutch and the other one does not.

clutchless means you don't need to use the clutch to shift, just launch

[larry dowty]

chris were you looking for the internal difference???

[Jim Grande]

Chris, Clutchless has split sliders which allow you to engage the higher gear without the clutch disengagement.

[Gary Smith]

If memory serves me, G-Force has diagrams on their website with parts list for all products.

[Mike Taylor 3601]

To add to Jim's description, sliders are split with coast side of slider/dogs on gear cut on angle like ramp, so for example when you make 1st to 2nd gear change trans actaully stays in 1st then when 2nd gear engages and increases shaft speed causing 1st gear to disengage due to slider&gear meshing ramps together pushing it out of 1st gear,and same thing happens on each gear change,thats why if car unloads trans(ex.coast or severe tire spin)it comes out of gear except for high gear but you still have to hold it in gear if you left off gas in high,you can pedal it in high gear but have to physically hold in gear.
The only difference w/clutchless is on gear changes trans is pulling all the time,where shifting clutch type w/o clutch there is split second that trans is in neutral on gear changes just like automatic there is split second where trans is in neutral during gear change,they have to disengage lower gear before next gear can be engaged where clutchless does'nt.
The only advantages I know of with clutchless is chassis stays loaded during gear changes while clutch style shifting with or without clutch or automatic the chassis does'nt stay loaded completly during gear changes,which can make car smoother if everthing is right.
Then other advantage is takes less muscle to shift clutchless trans than clutch type shifted without clutch. I don't know if alot of people realize that you have to physically pull the trans out of gear while its under a load when shifting without clutch.If you ever tried to pull manual trans out of gear under a load in a everday car/truck you know what I'm talking about let off gas comes out easy.Can you imagine how hard you would have to pull &push shifter in SS/AH car to shift without clutch.I shifted a my brothers K/S car with Jerico without clutch hurt wrist and elbow he said you learn how to do it without hurting yourself.
You will see cars go quicker but I don't think it will be huge difference w/o clutch you get about .08 clutchless I'd say you'll see about another .05-.08 thats a somewhat educated guess.
Mike Taylor3601

[Chris Hill]

Thanks for the responses. I figured it was something with the sliders and such, but didn't know for sure.

[WDCreech]

Why has no one mentioned the planitary clutchless transmission, that you can use a clutch to launch or go with a torque converter?

[Mike Taylor 3601]

Don't think planetary style are legal they wouldn't be best choice anyway they use more power and are heavier.
I had customers switch from glides to 3spd. Lenco Drives (w conv.) and slowed there cars down a little, but they don't have to switch input shafts every 5-8 runs anymore.
If remember Rossler had best input for glide then thats the ones lasted 5-8 passes if didn't shake tires, if they had tire shake input would break then or on next pass.that was about 6-7 years ago they were running 4.40's nos door cars,they considered going to API big brutes but Lenco drive was same or less $.
Mike Taylor 3601

[Jeff Lee]

Lenco style requires more floor work than rules allow. The omission of planetary transmissions, as I'm sure is NHRA desire, should be clarified in the rule book.