Footbrake quicker than transbrake

Alan Roehrich · 07-25-2015, 07:43 AM

Over the years I worked in a transmission shop in Nashville, I worked mainly on racing transmissions, and in around 90% of the Super Stock cars, a foot brake transmission was always measurably quicker, consistently. We even built identical transmissions, except for the valvebody, and in nearly every case, the foot brake setup went quicker, regardless of how the chassis was adjusted, even in 4 link cars. We also tried changing rear end gears and low gears in the transmissions, as well as torque converters. In many cases, I think it may be that the engine is happier with the RPM held well below the flash speed, so that the converter flashes hard/higher and does a better job of multiplying torque. Also, a torque converter really needs to be built for the way you intend to use it, either with a transbrake, or foot braking.

I think the modified cars, and maybe some others with high RPM small displacement engines that need a very high stall speed may be quicker with a transbrake, if the car can be adjusted for it, simply due to how hard it is to make the converter work well. I know they are easier to drive well with a transbrake.

07-25-2015, 07:43 AM	#2
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,111 Likes: 1,570 Liked 1,814 Times in 413 Posts	Re: Footbrake quicker than transbrake Over the years I worked in a transmission shop in Nashville, I worked mainly on racing transmissions, and in around 90% of the Super Stock cars, a foot brake transmission was always measurably quicker, consistently. We even built identical transmissions, except for the valvebody, and in nearly every case, the foot brake setup went quicker, regardless of how the chassis was adjusted, even in 4 link cars. We also tried changing rear end gears and low gears in the transmissions, as well as torque converters. In many cases, I think it may be that the engine is happier with the RPM held well below the flash speed, so that the converter flashes hard/higher and does a better job of multiplying torque. Also, a torque converter really needs to be built for the way you intend to use it, either with a transbrake, or foot braking. I think the modified cars, and maybe some others with high RPM small displacement engines that need a very high stall speed may be quicker with a transbrake, if the car can be adjusted for it, simply due to how hard it is to make the converter work well. I know they are easier to drive well with a transbrake. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S