Originally introduced in 1948 alongside Buick’s two-speed Dynaflow transmission, the torque converter originally helped make transmissions fully automatic, eliminating the clutch necessary for manual transmissions. Many roadcars are still fitted with torque converters, but in motorsport they survive solely in the domain of drag racing. What makes torque converters unique is the transfer of power from the engine to the transmission, with fluid being the only connecting factor, allowing...
Surface finishing and coating processes continue to make their mark on the motorsport arena, enabling engineers to improve the properties of components that experience direct metal-on-metal contact. NASCAR is no exception to this and, within a very tight regulatory framework, teams are keen to gain any advantage they can. Power levels are very closely matched between different manufacturers' engines, so very small gains in power can be decisive. This does not necessarily mean...
Motorsport engineers are constantly striving to create ever-lighter and more efficient components, yet at the same time they must stay within regulatory frameworks and ensure the components are durable under race conditions. Last month we touched on the subject of using composites for the construction of transmission casings, a subject we will look at in more depth here. Composites have been used to great effect in racecar construction since the 1980s, but it is only in the past decade...
The Le Mans 24 Hours is the sternest test for all racing vehicle systems, especially the transmission. So what are the steps transmission manufacturers take to ensure that these components are durable enough to survive the punishment of a 24-hour race, while still remaining lightweight and as efficient as possible? One area that has seen considerable development in recent years is the material choice for the transmission casings, with new techniques allowing for lighter units that still...
The differential is one of the most important components in a modern rally car, contributing significantly to its performance potential. This impact is in terms of actual grip and, more important, the feel the differential affords the driver in order to judge available grip, allowing them to extract maximum performance from a given set-up. With the simplification of the technology allowed now in the WRC, teams are limited to using purely mechanical systems, but this was not always the...