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FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: billtroth on March 10, 2018, 08:04:21 PM

Title: Spragless torque converter
Post by: billtroth on March 10, 2018, 08:04:21 PM

I ordered a new converter to match to my new Joel's on Joy C4.  I opted for a spragless design based mainly on more durability and car is  only driven on the track.  I would be interested in any thoughts and experience on sprag versus spragless converters.

Title: Re: Spragless torque converter
Post by: WConley on March 10, 2018, 08:37:59 PM

Bill -

A spragless converter will cost you a bit of mph in the traps.  Are you worried about breaking stuff?  The new sprags are pretty good, though for peace of mind you can specify the Sonnax "Mechanical Diode" type.  Those give you the speed advantages of a sprag converter with nearly the indestructability of a spragless setup.

JMO, of course!

- Bill

Title: Re: Spragless torque converter
Post by: billtroth on March 11, 2018, 03:11:41 AM

Thanks for the information.  The sprag on the converter I am replacing was trashed so I am a little leary of that happening again.  Also, I race Nostalgia Super Stock which is all index racing where consistency is more important than low e.t..  I have heard that a spragless, all things being equal, will run more consistently but I'm not sure that would true or just perception.   

Title: Re: Spragless torque converter
Post by: jayb on March 11, 2018, 09:04:02 AM

I've been told the same thing about spragless converters, they will cost you some ET but run more consistently than a converter with a sprag.  If consistency is your goal, you probably made the right choice.

Title: Re: Spragless torque converter
Post by: manofmerc on March 13, 2018, 04:46:45 AM

One  of my fellow bracket racers bought a new convertor with this mechanical diode sprag .What is the difference between this and a standard sprag ? Just curious

Title: Re: Spragless torque converter
Post by: FirstEliminator on March 13, 2018, 07:33:16 AM

Mechanical Diode is like a ratchet. Whereas a roller or element type sprag is like a wedge that holds a door open. 

    As a transmission rebuilder I can say I've never heard of a Spragless convertor, other than a fluid coupling. But, I'm not much into racing stuff.  I'd like to see the inside of a spragless.

Title: Re: Spragless torque converter
Post by: 57 lima bean on March 13, 2018, 01:56:50 PM

Very disappointed with the performance when I ran one. :(

Title: Re: Spragless torque converter
Post by: billtroth on March 14, 2018, 08:39:32 PM

Ina spragless converter the roller sprag assembly is replaced with a solid billet .  Here's a link that explains better than I can.

https://autotransdesign.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/9000098628-sprag-diode-roller-clutch-spragless-101-high-performance-torque-converter-