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Re: The scoop on Lenco

To: "David Freiburger" <FreiburD@emapUSA.com>, <land-speed@autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: The scoop on Lenco
From: Skip Higginbotham <saltrat@pro-blend.com>
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2001 19:16:35 -0500
Hi David,
Nicely done...and very educational for all of us.
I ran a Lenco in a drag hydro for a number of years and wish I had it
still! I never had anything fail.
Thank you for your effort in sharing the info with us.
Skip Higginbotham
AA/GL (or /GS)4411

At 05:16 PM 6/19/01 , you wrote:
>This is a bit long, so delete it if you don't care about Lenco transmissions.
>
>Thanks to everyone who responded to my pleas for info on the use of a Lenco 
>trans for LSR. I've spoken several times to Gary Sumek, owner of Lenco, and 
>here are some tidbits to chew on:
>
>- The street Lenco (adequate for 1000-plus hp at Bonneville) is available 
>with modules of 1.25:1, 1.31:1, 1.38:1, 1.44:1, and 1.48:1. By stacking 
>modules you get the ratios you want--for example, a three-speed uses two 
>modules. If you chose a 1.38 and a 1.48, your ratios would be First,  2.04 
>(1.38x1.48); Second,  1.38 or 1.48 depending on which lever you chose to 
>pull first, and Third of 1.0:1. You can stack as many modules as need to 
>make a five-speed, six-speed, or whatever.
>
>- The Lenco uses planetary gearsets that are manually engaged with an 
>individual shift lever per gear. Shifts are made without disengaging the 
>clutch. By pulling the handles in a different order, you can adjust your 
>gear splits depending on your engine or track needs.
>
>- There is no pump, like an automatic has, so they don't suck as much power 
>as an automatic. Horsepower draw depends on how many units you stack up. 
>With a five-speed Lenco, there would be more power loss than with a 
>conventional five-speed but less than with an automatic.
>
>- There has been some talk about how the Lenco's quick shifting would cause 
>traction loss on the salt. In fact, the shift rate can be adjusted using the 
>shift-tower pressure. You can also pull the handles slowly rather than 
>quickly to slip the planetary clutches a bit.
>
>- Some guys said a Lenco runs too hot. Lenco says they have a few cars that 
>have driven cross-country with their transmission and no cooler. If it's 
>that much of a concern, you can plumb the Lenco fluid through an electric 
>pump and a cooler.
>
>So, in all, I'm still not convinced this is a totally bad idea. How about 
>all of you?
>
>DF

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