max-torque ss clutch tuning?

[taotao110d]

Hey guys, I picked up a 10 tooth #41 chain 3/4" shaft max-torque ss clutch for my predator 212 hemi powered live axle go kart, and had some questions on "tuning" it to better suit my engine/kart.

So far it seems to be doing fine, but I feel like it engages a hair too soon, and doesn't quite grab as hard as i'd like. I have seen some springs and wedge shoes for this clutch as well as a chart showing engagement rpm for each spring/shoe combo.

I understand how the heavier spring keeps the shoes from engaging so early, but feel like the heavier spring would make the shoes not grab as hard as they do with a weaker spring. I understand how the heavier shoes will make the shoes engage at a slightly lower rpm, but do the heavier shoes actually grab harder once engaged?

I'm thinkin I might want either their green or black spring, and their heavier wedge shoes. I just feel like a heavier spring with stock shoes would raise the engagement rpm but not engage as hard. Any suggestions for a max torque ss clutch on a predator 212 go kart?
Also, has anyone put 3 heavier wedge shoes and 3 stock shoes (even placed, stock,heavy,stock,heavy,stock,heavy)

 

[bob58o]

Hmmmm, I think you might be overthinking it.
Nobody has every heard me say that before! LOL

Now you have me over-thinking.
Is the spring force more important because Fs=-kx^2????? Does the squared term matter?
I'll guess not, but really not sure. Oh man am I rusty. This is HS stuff.

I immediately deducted one point because you failed to draw a Free Body Diagram showing all forces acting on the weight. Deducted another point because I didn't see F=ma anywhere in the post.

I'm guessing that the "grabbing" you describe is the result of the NET Force on the Weight.
The combination of the centrifugal and spring forces. Greater Net Force means the weight accelerates towards the outside faster and it grabs harder.

Assume the weights are moving away from the center...
Increase the "k-constant" (stiffness) of the spring, and you increase the magnitude of the Spring Force acting towards the center of rotation, and you will lower magnitude of the net force, which is acting away from the center of rotation.

Decrease the mass of the weights, and you will lower the magnitude of the Centrifugal Force which is acting away from the center of rotation, and you will again lower the magnitude of the net force, which is acting away from the center of rotation.

But since the stiffer springs or lighter weights spin faster before engaging...
The magnitude of the Centrifugal Force will Increase, increasing the magnitude of net force, acting away from the center of rotation

I'm guessing it doesn't matter how you go about it. Less weight or More Spring. Probably behaves the same. You are playing Force Favoritism, and I'm not sure you should be doing that.

Interesting though. I haven't really convinced myself yet. So you might be onto something.

I'll come back with a drawing. But I can't do it now. I've been appreciating all the functional art that is around me and now I can't do physics. LOL

 

[OzFab]

Keep in mind there's a vast difference between engagement RPM & locking RPM...

 

[taotao110d]

Also, will the max-torque "max lube" zerk fitting bolt work with maxtorque ss clutches, or only their max lube clutch?

 

[mckutzy]

Grease nipples are for bearing clutches...regular clutches have bushings that only need oil... Do not grease those type or you will destroy the bushing...

 

[taotao110d]

Grease nipples are for bearing clutches...regular clutches have bushings that only need oil... Do not grease those type or you will destroy the bushing...

I'm pretty sure the max torque max lube clutches use a bronze bearing too, and I feel like they intended oil to be used with their zerk bolt. Just trying to see if I can add that to my maxtorque ss clutch. Guess ill find out.

---------- Post added at 08:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:31 PM ----------

Keep in mind there's a vast difference between engagement RPM & locking RPM...

Aware, I just feel like the stock max-torque ss clutch engages too soon, just looking for suggestions on springs/shoes for this clutch.

 

[Joe-405]

What is done to your engine with mods ? It will help you understand clutch tuning. And how is your driving style and what type of riding do you do ?

 

[taotao110d]

What is done to your engine with mods ? It will help you understand clutch tuning. And how is your driving style and what type of riding do you do ?

Its on a predator 212 'hemi' with cone filter, header, emulsion tube, jet with governor kind of bypassed. I'm able to hit valve float for a second before the governor tries to pull back a little. Its on a live axle yard kart that tries to pretend its a race kart through my neighborhood and dirt roads

Just trying to see what I can do to improve the clutch I got.