Clutch Engagement?

[Candyman]

Which is the better way to set your clutch shoes? The manual says to set them so that the leading edge engages. But most of my other nitro's engage on the trailing edge.

Which is better?

 

[FastEddy]

You can try either way. Use what feels the best for your driving style.

 

[NCNitro]

Clutch Operation: I got this information from WWW.NitroRC.com, hope it helps you. If you go to their website they have several helpful diagrams as well.

R/C car engines rotate CCW (counter clock-wise) As the engine increases revolutions the leading edge of the clutch catches on the clutch bell and aggressively transmits the power from the engine to the clutch bell. This power is then distributed through out the car's drive train and eventually to the tires...

The stock clutch setup loads the engine with the strain of trying to accelerate 5+ pounds of car and at the same time the engine attempts to quickly accelerate to reach it's higher power band. 2-Stroke engines increase power output as the RPM’s increase. So if you want to use more of your engines available power when you need it the most (quick acceleration on the corners). You need to let the engine engage at a latter time when the RPM's are higher and when the engine has more available power to accelerate the vehicle.

You pull the clutch shoes off the flywheel and flip them around and re-install. This mod basically changes the power transfer when accelerating because now the trailing edges of the shoes engage the clutch bell. This allows the clutch to slip a bit for the engine RPM’s to build and jump starts the torque level when accelerating from the corners. It is very important when you flip the shoes that you don't pinch the clutch spring with the flywheel pins. You can push a small allen wrench through the pin holes to push the spring out of the way as you press the shoes against the flywheel. Reinstall the clutch bell parts in the order removed.

 

[NCNitro]

I'm not sure, I am using the mip too, but I have been happy with mine. I wonder if centax makes one that will fit a T ?

 

[Çh®i§tiªñ]

I like the MIP clutch for now. I want to try those Alum shoes (or Titanium) but I can't find the link for them. They came out a couple of months ago.

I run leading edge engagement in the second set of holes. My stock set was trailing out of the box.

I believe you should experiment until you find the performance you want. You will certainly notice a difference from one to the other. But wear and tear is a consideration.

 

[Çh®i§tiªñ]

I'm not understanding - is it Leading Edge Engagement? I think by description it is. Did you go into the second set of holes (closest to the inside of the shoe) or the outside set on the very edge?

 

[DarthRacer]

I accidentially put my clutch shoes in trailing edge and the CB and spur are engaged at idle. It was not like that before I installed my new CB. I am going to switch it back to leading edge. The stock clutch spring must be a little on the weak side.