anderkart
Moderator
Lots of guys on this forum constantly claim a Torque converter is always better than any Centrifugal clutch.
That's not always true...
Yes I agree Torque Converters do offer better acceleration, and also allow many karts to be geared for a higher top speed potential.
Torque converters are also a much better choice for most any kart that will be doing a lot of low-speed/stop and go type riding.
They're also a much better choice for Off-road karts that will be climbing steep hills & mountains.
But... you'll hardly ever see Torque Converters used In most any forms of kart racing. Its not because those racekart guys are trying to save money or dont know how to instal a T/C. The reason is a Centrifugal (or disk type) clutch would almost always turn faster lap times. The only exceptions to this would be off-road/Trophy racekarts, or small tracks with lots of tight/low-speed corners.
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The reason for this is Torque Converter belts are constantly under tension unless the engine is Idling, this belt tension causes friction. This friction slightly lowers rear-wheel horse power compared to Engine horsepower.
A properly adjusted chain used on a Centrifugal clutch doesn't have this tension/friction issue, so more of the engines power Is transmitted to the ground.
I realise lots of karts experience problems with their Centrifugal clutches overheating, slipping and giving poor acceleration. But many of those problems were simply caused by Improper gearing, lack of lubricating the clutches bushing (or bearing), and/or selecting one of the lower-quality/priced Centrifugal clutch brands/models.
There's lots of very high quality Centrifugal/Disk clutches avalible In the same price ranges of what a Comet Tav2, 30 or 40-series would cost. Those more expensive Centrifugal clutches are made for racekarts, many of them can hold up for years with up to 50hp engines with 4:1 gear ratio's & using 11" tall rear tires. There's also parts avalible to repair most of these racing clutches, so you dont have to buy a whole new one if they ever develop a problem.
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I just thought I'd try to clear a few misconceptions up, Its just not fair to compare a $39 Centrifugal clutch against a $169 Comet T/C. They can both be a very good choice for some applications, but T/C's are not always a better choice for every single kart and budget.
A $169 3/4" bore centrifugal clutch designed for racing would hold up under way more horse power than a 30-series Comet Tav-2... The same is true of the $350/1"-bore racing clutches compared to a 40-series converter system.
There's some 3/4" bore centrifugal race-clutches avalible in the $80 price range, that I feel are much higher quality than the more common $39-$59 models that most funkart owners select and end up having problems with.
The same is true for 1" bore centrifugal clutches, a $160 race clutch model would way outperform the lowest price 1" model (Comet 400-series) that's avalible for around $80.
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If you choose to use any Centrifugal clutch, the best way to make it last longer is by getting the kart right up to the speed where you can feel/hear the clutch is no longer slipping. Constant low-speed/stop & go type riding will kill most any centrifugal clutch!
That's not always true...
Yes I agree Torque Converters do offer better acceleration, and also allow many karts to be geared for a higher top speed potential.
Torque converters are also a much better choice for most any kart that will be doing a lot of low-speed/stop and go type riding.
They're also a much better choice for Off-road karts that will be climbing steep hills & mountains.
But... you'll hardly ever see Torque Converters used In most any forms of kart racing. Its not because those racekart guys are trying to save money or dont know how to instal a T/C. The reason is a Centrifugal (or disk type) clutch would almost always turn faster lap times. The only exceptions to this would be off-road/Trophy racekarts, or small tracks with lots of tight/low-speed corners.
_______
The reason for this is Torque Converter belts are constantly under tension unless the engine is Idling, this belt tension causes friction. This friction slightly lowers rear-wheel horse power compared to Engine horsepower.
A properly adjusted chain used on a Centrifugal clutch doesn't have this tension/friction issue, so more of the engines power Is transmitted to the ground.
I realise lots of karts experience problems with their Centrifugal clutches overheating, slipping and giving poor acceleration. But many of those problems were simply caused by Improper gearing, lack of lubricating the clutches bushing (or bearing), and/or selecting one of the lower-quality/priced Centrifugal clutch brands/models.
There's lots of very high quality Centrifugal/Disk clutches avalible In the same price ranges of what a Comet Tav2, 30 or 40-series would cost. Those more expensive Centrifugal clutches are made for racekarts, many of them can hold up for years with up to 50hp engines with 4:1 gear ratio's & using 11" tall rear tires. There's also parts avalible to repair most of these racing clutches, so you dont have to buy a whole new one if they ever develop a problem.
_______
I just thought I'd try to clear a few misconceptions up, Its just not fair to compare a $39 Centrifugal clutch against a $169 Comet T/C. They can both be a very good choice for some applications, but T/C's are not always a better choice for every single kart and budget.
A $169 3/4" bore centrifugal clutch designed for racing would hold up under way more horse power than a 30-series Comet Tav-2... The same is true of the $350/1"-bore racing clutches compared to a 40-series converter system.
There's some 3/4" bore centrifugal race-clutches avalible in the $80 price range, that I feel are much higher quality than the more common $39-$59 models that most funkart owners select and end up having problems with.
The same is true for 1" bore centrifugal clutches, a $160 race clutch model would way outperform the lowest price 1" model (Comet 400-series) that's avalible for around $80.
_______
If you choose to use any Centrifugal clutch, the best way to make it last longer is by getting the kart right up to the speed where you can feel/hear the clutch is no longer slipping. Constant low-speed/stop & go type riding will kill most any centrifugal clutch!
to the forum Jason. Start a new thread for yourself in the engine section and ask away. You will get more response that way. To start a new thread, go to the section you want to post in, and then at the top left you will see a button that says "New Thread".
