Just wondering what the hell the trans brake is supposed to do? I have asked about this before but still am unclear. Any benefits of using it?

Also,

Would a stall (say 3200) help me do better from a roll and not just a dig?

thanks a bunch

 

Trans brakes lock the transmission up so the vehicle will not move when activated. The driver can then Give the vehicle as much throttle during staging to get the engine rpms up, without the vehicle moving.

Stall converters will help from a roll as well. It all depends on the RPMs you are at during the roll and the stall speed.

 

Ok, so when the driver is giving the throttle on staging, how does he get the vehicle to finally go when ready? (I assume the brakes will only hold for so much even with the t brake?)

 

A well designed tbrake will hold no matter what power you have. You don't use the brakes at all. T-brake are engaged using an electric switch of button, so you just release it when you want to launch.

 

Thank you for the info i've been wondering the same thing

 

Just to clarify a little more on the inner workings, the transbrake is a solenoid activated by a momentary switch. The solenoid controls the reverse clutches. So when you are at the starting line you are in drive, push the button which engages reverse. So the transmission is trying to go both ways, in essence it is locked. Bring up the throttle to what you want to launch at and then release the button. Reverse clutches are disengaged and you go forward, really fast hopefully.

Chris

 

Also,10 bolts disinegrate when subjected to a transbrake.The rearend is no longer 'loaded' as with a conventional auto trans and it sees the 'shock' similar to a stick shift.

 

I can attest to this, I saw firsthand someone annihilate their 10 bolt using a transbrake and it wasn't even a real high hp car, maybe 375-400hp.

Edit: They were running drag tires too, which didn't help the little 10 bolt any either.

 

As others have said the transbrake locks it in two gears at the same time. It takes a special converter for this. It must have a large sprague or no sprague at all,an aftermarket stator,anti ballooning plates,furnace brazed and tig welded fins,haredened splines,etc. Most people use a two step rev limiter so when they are on the t-brake it holds the motor at a set rpm.When you release the button the two step goes to the high side chip. This gives you the hardest launches with the most consistency.You must have good driveline components for this. The converter must be built for your specific combination to make this work properly.

Greg

 

That sounds awesome, I might have to try that...

Anyone here using a transbrake, that can give real results with/without the brake?

 

Well I read "trans brake" under my hood somewhere, and have know idea about a switch? Damn, just reading this post myself really makes me feel like a newb.

 

Wow, I didn't know all of that. Thanks all for the clarification and help.

 

That why we are here until insane hours of the night, to insure you can be confident in finding the best way to remedy your problem. Well that and the chance to display our signature adds. lol

 

Good info here.

So when the trans brake is on and you floor the gas pedal, the car revs up to the converter's stall rpm but no higher?

 

correct,but,if you had a transbrake that stalled to 3000 under the situation you described and then you did some engine mods that increased the engine torque,the next time you tried your situation,the stall would be higher.
Stall is a function of resistance to engine torque.
Also that situation is building an incredible amount of transmission fluid heat.

 

You definitely do not want to sit on the stall to long. Especially with a loose converter. Heat generation is extreme.

 

but do you go full throttle on the brake?

 

Transbrakes are designed to allow the driver to sit staged with out moving. As for the amount of throttle that all depends on your vehicle from a performance level and how you want it to launch. Also you have to consider the impact on the rear axle, drive shaft, when you do send that spike of torque.

 

You can depending on your combo. If your converter flashes to 5k on the brake and you can hook it then do it. Many will wire the brake and a 2 step together so the hit can be tamed down (or controlled) a little as needed. IE, converter flashes to 5k but the tires will only take 4k. Set the 2-step to 4k put the gas to the floor, let go of the button and hold on.

going with what tpt said, if you don't have a drive train that can take a beating I don't think you should be considering a brake. If you're using stock DS or rear end you're just asking to brake parts. a trans brake is for when you absolutely want the car coming out of the hole as hard as possible. that brakes ****.

 

Thanks and nice explanation.