I'm guessing because I have never done a head to head comparison between clutch and torque converter. Everything that I have read says top speed will be greater with centrifugal due to the overdrive of the TC dragging rpm's down once fully engaged.
I've seen that a lot as well as experienced it first hand. My 208 is a mild build that has no shortage of torque, but if I flog it and let the 30 do it's thing I might see 6k on the tach briefly but it always pulled down to the 4800-5200 range on a level stretch (theres not many and none are very long)
It is my understanding though that this is a quirk specific to the 30 due to the asymetric belt... I do not know if that is accurate. I'd go with a 20 series but they range from being as much as a 40 series to WTAF!?!?!
In theory makes complete sense. I'm sure you're aware of all that can be done to the TC with weights, different springs, and engagement hole location.
indeed but I know tossing a yellow on the driven is quite possibly the worst "upgrade" if you're not a flatlander. I don't have any personal gruge on the engagement/stall speed of the stock zinc weights and whatever the hell those non coded springs are (black?) I get initial engagement right around 22/2300 without doing anything but sticking them on
With the exception of being on a smooth and level track, I've yet to own a kart or bike that I wouldn't gladly give up a couple of mph for the driveability and better acceleration offered by the TC.
I'm not necessarily looking for more speed or acceleration, but I am looking for more reliable. Being the current China Max is having some functionality issues I'm weighing my options which is rip everything down for a TC, or get a genuine Torque Max. Due to the necessary add-ons to use a TC (Riser plate, new drive chain) a Max will be the cheaper option.
Of course taking the current one off, Cleaning it out, and maybe nipping a coil or two from the garter(s?) would likely be sufficient... it did sit in a barn for quite a while and never really got serviced as far as I can tell with the chinese spark plug I replaced, and gross black oil I changed out...at least that wasn't metallic charcoal instead.