The Truth About Spragless Converters For Racing
In today’s era of high-performance blowers, turbochargers, and multiple nitrous shots, the advantages of using a spragless converter are undeniable. As horsepower increases, so does the likelihood of sprag failure or slippage. More importantly, it’s now evident that a sprag has no effect on a converter’s stall speed, making the spragless design the superior choice for reliability and performance.
Stall Speed is Unaffected by Sprag
Neither a sprag nor a spragless insert has any impact on a converter’s stall speed, which is often a misconception in the industry. Achieving maximum MPH and consistent E.T. involves multiple critical factors working together, such as the proper fin angle, the right stator design, the correct core size, and the knowledge and skill of a qualified technician to fine-tune the converter to your specific setup. These elements play a far more significant role in optimizing converter performance than the presence of a sprag or spragless insert. While a properly functioning sprag does not influence stall speed, problems arise when the sprag fails—leading to inconsistent performance, unpredictable shifts, and a loss of reliability.
This highlights why a durable, fail-proof design is paramount in converter construction. Sprag failure can cause delays in launch times and inconsistent power delivery, directly affecting race performance. By choosing a spragless design, you eliminate the risk of sprag failure altogether, ensuring a more consistent and reliable performance over the long term, especially in high-horsepower and high-stress racing conditions. Reliability, in this case, translates to both improved race results and reduced maintenance costs, making it a crucial factor in modern converter design.
Worn Sprags Cause Inconsistent Performance
Sprag assemblies are frequently damaged during the initial tire shake as the racer goes through the burnout. This rapid loading and unloading of the sprag causes uneven wear, eventually leading to failure. A worn sprag can be even more problematic than a broken one, as it creates unpredictable performance without the racer realizing the root cause. This often leads to hours spent checking everything except the converter. Once the sprag finally breaks, the racer may notice a .5-second slowdown and face significant repair costs, only for the sprag to crack or break again.
Sprag Slippage Affects Reaction Time, E.T., and RPM Consistency
Intermittent sprag slippage can significantly affect reaction time and E.T. The issue often goes unnoticed until heat builds up in the transmission fluid. In the early rounds, reaction times may seem fine, but by the 3rd or 4th round, you might notice a drop in performance—your 0.01 light turns into a 0.04. This happens because the sprag slippage causes the stator in the converter to spin, which in turn “loads” the engine harder, making the car roll through the stage beam slower and resulting in delayed reaction times. Finding the source of the issue can be frustrating, as sprag failure is not visible, but with a spragless racing converter, this problem is eliminated entirely.
If the sprag in the stator of the converter slips during a shift, the RPMs will drop to a lower level than the normal stall speed of the converter. For example, after a shift, the RPMs may be 200-300 lower if the sprag is slipping, resulting in a decrease in E.T. by 0.02-0.03 seconds, along with a loss of MPH. A high-quality playback tachometer can help detect this issue, making it easier to identify sprag slippage as the cause of slower performance.
The Truth About Spragless Converters
“Spragless” racing converters are often misunderstood as being slower, but in reality, they offer unparalleled consistency. This design eliminates the common issues associated with sprag failure, providing a more reliable and durable option for high-performance racing. With over 15,000 spragless racing converters currently in use, they have proven themselves across various levels of competition, helping drivers achieve World, Division, and Local Track Championships. The consistent performance of these converters allows racers to focus on achieving their best runs without the worry of unpredictable failures, ultimately giving them a competitive edge. Whether in extreme conditions or under heavy power loads, spragless converters offer enhanced durability, making them a top choice for serious racers looking for both reliability and performance.
Where Does Transmission Specialties Fit In?
Transmission Specialties offers a spragless converter in sizes ranging from 8″, 9″, 10″, to 10.5″, designed to handle horsepower from 400 to 2800+. These converters come with a 90-day warranty, which begins when you start your racing season, and we also offer free stall adjustments. If you’re tired of repeatedly sending your sprag-type converter for repairs, we have a solution to end your frustration. We can convert your existing sprag-type converter to “spragless” at a fraction of the cost of a new unit or custom-build a new “spragless” converter to match your exact stall requirements.
Most racers are familiar with the issues that come with sprag-type converters, whether through their own experience or that of fellow competitors. Transmission Specialties has converted hundreds of converters to “spragless” this year alone and has sold as many new ones. Today, many converter manufacturers offer their version of the spragless converter, but with over 30 years of experience building spragless racing converters for all kinds of setups, why take the risk of sending your converter to a company still “on the learning curve?” We provide proven, reliable solutions backed by decades of expertise.