The tuning of a nitro Funny Car’s clutch is equal parts art, science, and educated assumption. We’ve looked at what’s inside the “toy box” of a Funny Car in the past, but now we’re taking an even deeper dive into how all the components work together. In this episode of Tech Inspection, Jack Beckman’s co-crew chief, Tim Fabrisi, gives us a nitro clutch education.
Crew chiefs use clutch flow controls and timers to bring power in and out during a run. The flow controls operate based on input from an electric timer. During a run, the timers dictate when the flows open and close. Flow controls can also be automatically activated under certain conditions when used in conjunction with a pressure regulator.
If the track is tight and conditions are ideal, the crew chief can add more flow to create a faster, more aggressive clutch engagement. If the track is questionable, they can adjust the flows to slow engagement and provide a more controlled application of power. These decisions are based on previous data, current track conditions, and the crew chief’s nitro-tuning intuition.
Tuning the clutch requires a delicate balance between what the crew chief believes the track can handle, the setup of the car, and how it aligns with other dynamic variables in play. In short, small adjustments can have a massive impact on performance.
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