How much does a torque converter actually help ?

[Thrasher]

I want to get one of these, but they seem to be all out of my budget. How much do these things actually help overall ? Are there any cons ? If the responses make it seem worth it then I'll keep an eye on eBay til I find a great deal. Also, what's the difference in 40 series and 30 series ? Are there any tricks to installing these things or is it pretty much self explanitory once you have one ?

 

[jr dragster T]

Torque converters realy help alot. Kick butt torque!

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

Torque converters help so much, its pretty much an automatic transmission. with a standard clutch you get a lot of slipping and no hill climbing power, and if you dont go full throttle all the time it wears out much faster. A torque converter will give you lots of low end torque, you can go slow or fast and still have power. the only cons are that it takes up more room that a Centrifugal clutch.

 

[porsche930dude]

it depends what kinda terrain you run on. if you run on flat grass or pavement you wont be wowd by it. but if you run on hills and trails and thru the woods you wont wanna get off and be grinning ear to ear for days

 

[porsche930dude]

oh and go with the 30 series anything under 8hp. and youve got to have the 4 bolt patern around where your clutch goes

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

oh and go with the 30 series anything under 8hp. and youve got to have the 4 bolt patern around where your clutch goes

The 30 series needs a jack shaft setup, its the TAV2 that has the 4 bolt mounting plate thing(TAV2 is just a 30 with the plate deal).

 

[Thrasher]

The 30 series needs a jack shaft setup, its the TAV2 that has the 4 bolt mounting plate thing(TAV2 is just a 30 with the plate deal).

I really don't know what that means. Also, is Comet the only company that makes these things ?

 

[porsche930dude]

The 30 series needs a jack shaft setup, its the TAV2 that has the 4 bolt mounting plate thing(TAV2 is just a 30 with the plate deal).

Ok. im not up to date on the new designs my converters are all over 15 years old lol

 

[Thrasher]

I have a chance to trade some tools for a minibike that has a tecumseh 6.5hp with a torq-a-verter. will the torq-a-verter fit on my 5hp briggs ? also, how do I know which belt to get (it doesn't have one) ???

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Yes and www.gokartsupply.com

 

[gokartcrazy]

how tight should the belt be mine slips and you can smell belt burning

 

[porsche930dude]

what gearing and tire size do you have

 

[robin]

i don't think the belt is meant to have a tension when i got my comet 40 it just said make sure shafts are a certain distance apart

 

[Kaptain Krunch]

i don't think the belt is meant to have a tension when i got my comet 40 it just said make sure shafts are a certain distance apart

Yea it really shouldnt matter, since the primary clutch closes, it will adjust itself. But i guess if it was WAY to lose then when the secondary clutch opens up it would just slip. but for that to happen the pulleys would have to be more than 1 inch closer than they should be.

 

[Gungatim]

I reccomend you go to the Comet website and read up on them. They explain how they work, gear ratios at low and high end, and which belts to use depending on if you use a symmetrical or asymmetrical design. TAV's work great, have you ever driven a snowmobile? they all use them, as well as the UTV's and some ATV's too.

 

[killawatt]

the tav2 are great there isnt much difference in mid range but the low end torque and high end power are greatly increased a must have for any off road cart or dune buggy will admit though the belt does slip but mine is ok as long as it dosnt get wet if you go through mud and it works its way to the belt then yea it slips but other then that they are amazing.