Kangarooing Duratec

[TomGaval]

I've been driving my 195hp K series with the 6 speed now for 14 years and obviously have gotten very use to it. I drove and a 309hp duratec with a Sadev gearbox this weekend and felt like a complete numpty trying to get it to move. I stalled it 5 times before it moved and then Kangarooed any time I lifted the throttle pedal. Not a good feeling. On track, it screams like a banshee, (even though I'm sure I never pressed the throttle passed half way. *eek* I thought my VHPD K was quick, this is like going to warp speed.

 

I was told that it has a race clutch and lightweight flywheel, and even giving it more throttle it wouldn't roll, if I didn't let the clutch out verrrrry slowly. So my first question is, does the kangarooing result from the throttle, or the TPS, or something else? ( poor technique)???

 

My second question is, is there any need to use the clutch for upshifts or downshifts? Does it hurt the drive train, or gearbox/clutch if I don't? It does have the flat shift and blipping downshift programming installed.

 

Tom

[Pendennis]

Sounds like poor technique Tom, the race clutch is quite aggressive making slow up shifts a bit agricultural and sometimes difficult. I use a race paddle clutch with sequential, but to be honest I don't suffer the problems you describe, maybe the slave actuation is more aggressive than mine.

 

No clutch on Up or Down shifts required with that electronics

 

As the clutch plate would be saved from some of the shock, that would pass into the propshaft joints and diff mounts ☹️

 

 

Edited by - Pendennis on 7 Jul 2014 23:26:39

[TomGaval]

Thanks, Second session that I took it out, I was smoother, and had to start a second time as I got held up on pit row waiting for the signal to proceed onto the track. Yep, this one has the paddle shift set up as well. I did buy it so, I guess I'll just have to practice more. 😬 😬 So much for all my practicing the heel toeing. Might keep the docile little Superlight R spec car as a sunny Sunday street toy. Just don't tell the wife.

 

 

[Croc]

Quoting TomGaval: 

I'm sure I never pressed the throttle passed half way. *eek*

 

You big girly!

 

Also check the throttle cable is not binding and is operating smoothly - I had this problem in my car, fixed it, only to have it come back after its recent service.

 

 

 

 

Edited by - Croc on 8 Jul 2014 09:17:14

[Myles]

My Westie has a Honda Blackbird motorbike engine - and hence s*d all in the way of flywheel. Featherlight clutch too - and obviously the sequential bike box - although that's highly unlikely to influence the kangarooing.

 

On the go, it's fine - but it is quite common at low town speeds (or less) for it to get into a feedback loop of kangarooing. The throttle pedal is very light and all it takes is to go over a bump at low speed for you to jab the throttle (or let it off) and for the lack of inertia to get you bouncing.

 

A dip of the clutch breaks the cycle.

 

Traffic-queue speeds aside, I don't have any problems. My other 7 (1.8k with the R500 flywheel) is so much easier and more relaxing to drive in traffic - principally due to a chunky flywheel (compared to a bike engine) and less gearing-down to develop similar torque at the wheels.

[Andy Doughty]

I had a similar problem when I converted my car from Crossflow to Duratec in 2007.

The clutch feel was a bit "hair trigger" and I didn't like it. I guess caused by the race spec plates and converting from cable to hydraulic.

I modified the clutch pedal to reduce the pivot ratio ( a bit like the the reverse of the high ratio brake pedal) and this made the car far more drivable with no loss of clutch performance.

[TomGaval]

Thanks guys. I was so embarrassed by my initial attempts at starting off and driving that I almost reconsidered purchasing the car.

Croc, I admit it. with over 114 more horsepower than my VHPD K series, I'm like a frightened little girl out there. The acceleration is just amazing. But what I'll blame the lack of full throttle on the fact that the prior owner is 6 foot 8 and I'm only 6'1" and the seat wasn't on sliders so I had trouble reaching the pedals. That's my story and sticking to it. 😬