Which is harder on parts? Transbrake or ceramic clutch

Which is inclinded to break more parts (all other factors being equal)? A 4000 RPM leave on the converter with a transbrake or a 4000 RPM leave with an aggressive race 4 puck clutch.

Both situations are on huge 305/45R18 nitto drag radials with a dead hook.

I know a foot brake launch with an auto is much easier on parts but I have never left on a transbrake.

I run a little ranger with a 2.3 turbo and 30 psi boost, so far with a clutch I have broken all the teeth off third gear, snapped a T5 output shaft clean off, and busted an axle.

This winter I am swaping to a C4 with a transbrake and high stall converter, I am trying to figure out how important my rear dif upgrade is, or if I can put it off for awhile.

So what do you think, which hits the drive line harder?

My neighbor is big into the 2.3 big turbo stuff. He has a Pro Stock Probe that runs 8.5@160mph with about 30lbs of boost. He broke lots of trannys over the years (toploaders/T5's/G-Force conversions) and now runs one of the expensive upscale G-Force 5 speeds like the big boys use. The only problem he has with it now is the rear bearing likes to go wear out often (on 2 different trannys.) This seems like a design issue or G-Forces has a poor source for these bearings.

Anyways, he uses and recommends the McLeod Sintered Disc setup. He never has a problem with it.

Stickshift is definitely harder on parts than a trans-brake. However, sintered iron clutches are designed to slip a little upon engagement, and take a lot of the parts breaking 'shock' out of the drivetrain.

There's just another level of learning that needs done when learning how to set up and 'tune' the clutch.

Good Luck!

Originally Posted by n2omike

Stickshift is definitely harder on parts than a trans-brake.

Do you think the turbo 4 cylinder will shock harder with a clutch? It may be more shock with an auto since he will likely be way more into boost with a transbrake.

How much boost did it leave on with the 5spd?

Originally Posted by brianj5600

Do you think the turbo 4 cylinder will shock harder with a clutch? It may be more shock with an auto since he will likely be way more into boost with a transbrake.

How much boost did it leave on with the 5spd?

You may have a point when it comes to turbos. I have no experience there, so anything I would have to say about turbos would be pure speculation.

On non-blown applications, the stickshift is definitely harder on parts.

Good Luck!

Wrong ! The transbrake IS the hardest leave you can subject a car too hands down. The biggest mistake people make is by running these fancy bronze or ceramic clutch discs.
There is no slippage. This is why Pro Stocks use a slipper clutch, otherwise they would never make it off the line without shelling something

I was kind of thinking that a transbrake would hit harder too, but I have never driven a serious stick car.

Originally Posted by mustang42782

Wrong ! The transbrake IS the hardest leave you can subject a car too hands down. The biggest mistake people make is by running these fancy bronze or ceramic clutch discs.
There is no slippage. This is why Pro Stocks use a slipper clutch, otherwise they would never make it off the line without shelling something

Stickshifts break WAY more parts, and leave WAY more aggressively than slushboxes, even ones equipped with trans-brakes. Just attend any event featuring any Super Stocks and compare the 'a' classes to the non 'a' classes. The 'a' classes are identical except the cars have an auto trans.

Stickshifts have a flywheel/clutch assembly weighing around 40lbs, spinning at high rpm. (7000 in my case) This spinning assembly contains a LOT of energy, and gets suddenly transmitted to the drivetrain when the clutch is released. The 7-8" converter of an automatic just does not compare. Sure, sintered iron clutches absorb some of the energy through controlled slippage, but the leaves are still quite violent. If the car is not equipped with a 'slipper' clutch, forget about it! Those break parts like crazy!

A trans-brake is pretty much limited to the stall speed of the torque converter. Stick shifts can leave at any rpm they choose. Many leave at or beyond their shift point!

Take in a session of Super Stock. You'll see what I mean!

I have to disagree. I have ran several cars with brakes and my Stang with the Clutch. Brakes always feel more aggressive. Besides there is more adjustment with my clutch than I would ever have with a brake as i run the slipper set up

oh good this morons back