DOMINION

OK sp in drag racing, a transbrake is a setup installed in automatic transmissions which places the transmission in first and reverse gears at the same time, effectively "braking" the transmission.
With the transmission locked in this manner, the engine can be accelerated to a certain RPM in preparation for launch and the racer doesn't need to worry about the car creeping forward.
When the green light illuminates on the Tree the transbrake is released (either automatically by a delay box or manually by the driver) and the car launches forward, its engine already at or near the beginning of its powerband and the transmission already in gear.

So where or how can I get one for my AT? Now this would be cool.

DOMINION

I found this?
http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=332292

expo1

What's wrong with left foot on the brake, right foot on the gas remove left foot on the last yellow? For the money a trans brake would cost you can get a few sets of drag slicks.

DOMINION

lol true. But I got the idea from the Grand National
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlvo8J7ZBds

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

Your engine doesn't have enough torque to overpower the rear brakes does it? THAT is the whole point to a transbrake.

Silver_Surfer

Yeah I here you! Had a Chevy with one. It was ALMOST like reving it up in neutral
and dropping it into drive.

DOMINION

Right but you dont hurt the AT that the point right? I found a Vid of a down under turbed RX-5 doing 11's all day at the track! I was like wow!

Silver_Surfer

Well it depends on how much traction you have. Too much, you'll break anything. But yeah its far better than reving it up and dumping it into drive. A trans brake would be the way to go for a good launch.

Phil's 8

iTrader: (3)

I am looking trans mods for my 8 and in the course of investigating I found mention of this for drag racing. A friend of mine tells me that what your not hearing in the other forum is that the stock torque converter may not stand up to this and the rear axle may not like it (some models also require a "pump" and shift kit). My friend is a transmission guy so I tend to believe him. If you just put FI in your a/t car you will have more launch capability. Now, I can only speak for the s/c not the t/c but I am told that it can do the same thing (if set up properly). Dominion: If traffic is light Friday night, you may get the opportunity to feel the difference.

therm8

at 2500-2800rpm the car will start to creep forward.

without a high stall converter or alot more power I don't know if a transbrake would do much. But I admit that I don't know much about their use.

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

So you are saying that the factory braking system on the RX-8 is capable of being overpowered by the engine durng "foot-brake" launching? I drove Phil's car and don't remember experiencing that, even with the S/C. Just making sure I am understanding this conversation properly. Even so, I wouldn't spend the money on a trans brake for an RX-8 unless it was a strip-only car. Even then, it's doubtful as I had one Hell of a consistent bracket car and I didn't need a trans brake. Try 13.42s on a 13.36 dial-in with a .508-.509 reaction time using bias-ply street tires. All day long.

Phil's 8

iTrader: (3)

I have not experienced this "creep forward" with my foot on the break (up to about 3500 rpm, never tried it higher). I only tried it a few times and was disappointed before the s/c due to the torque converter. After the s/c install the launch is a complete new experience but extremely hard on the a/t. With the added torque that the s/c give me that type of launch is really not needed. Try it you'll like it.

Silver_Surfer

Dont know if the 8's trans can be set up with a transbrake. The chevy I owned was set up for drag racing. Did have a shiftkit and 3500 stall TQ Converter

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

About 5 minutes after Paradox comes out with a 4,500 rpm stall converter is when a trans brake will be necessary.

Phil's 8

iTrader: (3)

yea and then I'll need your custom axles and god only knows what else! Will it ever stop?

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

No, it never stops. The bugs for both the rotary and the modding afflictions have no person who wishes to be cured.

DOMINION

Yup never stops.