Extra Gear

How much Quicker and Faster do you think a TA/D and or a TA/FC would go, If some one with lots of money, Adapted a Lenco transmission gear set in to a 12 in. rear end, I mean inside the case attached to the ring gear, So as to have a two speed rear end? and have the 3 speed trans. I don't think there is a rule against it..

 

No there isn't a rule against it but there would be if they found out about it.

 

What would be the advantage?
An overdrive % on the rear end to provide lower RPM and more top end pull?

Sounds clever. You have any idea how it could be done?

Cheers

 

if memory serves me i think pat austin tried a 2 speed years ago
didnt have enough power to pull it then, and not sure we do now
still need the 3 to get r done

 

I ment with the 3 speed trans. and a two speed rear end. because we aren't alowed a 4 speed trans.

 

i thought pat was within .05 of the best cars out there with the 2 speed. i know he was running a 2 speed with the wedge deal he was running. i talked to him for almost 3 hours at indy that year. now, that has me thinking....how quick did he go with that combo, and when was that? anyone know?

 

About 30 years ago, Don Long built a shifter with air buttons and one handle to convert a 3 speed Lenco into a 4 speed. It had cam followers and had to have the ratios right in the transmissions, then it would leave with both trans units in low gear. Second would engage one trans in high and one in low. Third would switch from one to the other to get the ratio, and fourth was accomplished with both trans units in high gear. Long actually built two of those shifters, but I don't know if anyone ever used them, or if NHRA stepped on that deal. Inguenity in action will always be disallowed.......
Henry

 

Billy Williams in the Williams and Kazanjian donovan TAD ran a four speed lenco at one time.

 

So, what is the general consensus? If allowed, would a 4 speed be faster/better?..... Outlaw could run a 4 speed.

 

History correction

Henry; not to discredit Don Long as some people know, he was, is, and still is my hero.
In 1975 I built a four speed car for Leonard Abbott driven then by Larry Stork. The car was not successful with the four speed, and NHRA was pleased that it went to a three speed.
In 1977 Lenco employee (now owner) Gary Sumek came up with the idea and of course the proper trans. By that time, I had already invented the "rocker" shifter for a guy that couldn't seem to feel the button going in with G's pushing back. This system changed the direction which cured the problem.
It was an easy change to add a clevis to the bottom button so it could be pulled back out. It worked, NHRA eventually found out, and banned it.
That's my story, but I'll check with Don anyway, as I DO have CRS.
Bob

 

TOL; the Lenco roadster has run a 4 speed up until the switch to the Lencodrive. It's my feeling that the RPM range was so small that the engine never "grunted" enough to "load" the engine enough to properly burn the fuel. But, as I've been know to say: "I'm just a welder"
Bob

 

Bob:
When it comes to Long, he is also my hero. I don't know if I can say I knew him first or not, but all the same, he is one brilliant dude. Since we're testing our memories, who was it that ran the B/FD, squirted SBC in Pro Comp Eliminator with a four speed Lenco? I'm quite sure it was a SoCal car, but can't recall who it was.
Henry

 

I hear what your saying about the small rpm range with a 4 speed lenco, But i think the biggest thing is that the extra gear in a 4 speed takes up to much H/P to make up for the extra gear that the motor has to turn, The Idea that I have is to keep the three speed and make the rear end a two speed and eliminate the spool, now your not adding more weight to the car, "extra case and gear assembly" and you have "maybe" the same weight as before and not have the extra weight for the motor to turn in the drive train. Gene Terenzio Sr.

 

Thanks Bob. Did the roadster pick up ET or MPH after the switch to the Lencodrive? Back when the roadster ran the 4-speed, was the clutch setup a bit more fussy/sensitive than with a typical 3-speed clutch deal (ie: more switch like...)? What sort of cubes, gear, tire?