Lencos in SS

[Jeff Lee]

Randy,
A clutch that is properly tuned (with slippage) will not pull the motor down as hard on launch. You can see and hear a car with too much clutch on launch. Big wheelies and slamming down are one clue, a discernible "uugh" at the top of the wheelie is another. Looking at 330' times are more important than 60' times as a heavy flywheel can look awesome on a 60' time (especially little engines) but will not carry that great 0-60' to the 60' to 330'.
The clutch that is tuned properly will separate on the gear changes at a more favorable rate for optimum ET. And the science is not just about adjustments. Weight, levers and materials come into play.
A great launch with a properly dialed in clutch may not wheelie as high, but that same car will carry it a lot further. The most awesome runs I ever had in D/S was a couple of passes which carried the front tires all the way through 3rd gear change and the car floated down very softly about a third of the way through 3rd.
The "locked up and tight" is possible with no wheel spin on launch or gear changes and no broken parts. I've been there. I've also seen tremendous drops in ET by loosening it up.
The formula I stand by as accurate is 1320/MPH = optimum ET. If you can't meat or beat that, there are issues. and it's most likely in the clutch.