<VV> Turbo 350 in a Vair? Corvair Application

[kenpepke at juno.com]

>Seth said:  Just a quick thought. The problem on conversion of another automatic  
>transmission into the Vair is the torque converter. The Corvair PG - separated  the 
>torque converter from the trans with the differential in between. That would  
>be hard to adapt in another trans (Not that the factory couldn't do it, just 
>not  you or I.) Maybe the trick set-up would be a manual clutch controlled  
>three-speed. With an homage to the drag-racing "Clutchflites" - How about a  
>"ClutchTurbo350" with a three-speed automatic in place of the PG - Add  paddle 

How about just not bothering with a torque converter?  For years my partner and I
raced a 427 stroked to 467 internally balanced Chevy BB mated to a PG with no 
torque converter.  We used a valve, actuated by a fake 'clutch' pedal, to divert pump 
pressure back to the pan.  Let the pedal up and the pressure went to low band and 
the car drove away.  We used a BB flex plate for the starter ring gear but, there was 
no flywheel.  The snap acceleration of that engine was amazing.

The 'clutch' pedal felt very light as it only used a pedal return spring to keep it up so
everyone that drove the car said the 'clutch' was too light but were amazed that it
did not slip behind the BB super power.  We lent this car to other racers many times
and I don't think that anyone ever guessed they were driving a PG :-)
Ken Pepke