This Clutch Only Lasts 4 Seconds

Everything about top fuel cars is extreme - they run at 11,000 horsepower, enough to trash their entire engine in under four seconds. Pistons, rings, connecting rods, and spark plugs all have to be tossed after a single run. It's no surprise, then, that top fuel clutches are a marvel of modern engineering. But, even the most heavily-engineered parts can fail - top fuel clutches can reach an absolutely INSANE 4,000° F, which is hot enough that they can weld themselves together. Join us as we learn all about the CRAZY ways these clutches can get wrecked during a run. Let's go!
Special thanks to the NHRA for providing footage for this episode! Check out their KZbin channel here: / nhra1951
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[@joeymartinez4878]

The clutch in the title sounds just like me😅

[@arthurschneider9593]

Lmao I really felt that comment

[@FarmerDrew]

Hahaha

[@amafangames]

Come on man you can do better

[@isaac-nm4xz]

top comment 😂😂

[@thepearsonfinest]

Oof

[@WGRF]

This video misses one key point, that Top Fuel Dragsters don't have a Gearbox! This is all done by the clutch, one of the reasons why they have multiple plates. The clutch slips the entire way through, so that the tyres don't slip. That's why it gets so hot.

[@Matty.Hill_87]

The rear tyres also play a role in changing the final drive ration when they expand to help

[@billboeck4644]

Yes that`s what he was saying

[@JudeAlvarez]

All this was in their other video they made on dragsters I guess

[@davidallen5257]

They've covered that in a previous video

[@damarfadlan9251]

@@Matty.Hill_87 clutch in drag cars only last 2.6 seconds sometimes too.

[@tag206]

They don't toss them, they pull it to check them. They do put a different engine in yes, but the one that came out just gets looked at and put back together as the backup. Tossing a 75k$ engine isn't cost effective if its only ran once for a prize thats only a fraction of the engine.

[@rolf7072]

Thank you, aside from the spark-plugs (that normally get burnt up) everything is checked after each run to see if it's usable again.

[@brianiswrong]

My understanding is the crank is checked for the Conrod bearings scoring it, and it has a limited amount of runs on it before it's replaced. The Conrods are checked for height and straightness (the height is recorded) The pistons and rings are changed for a fresh (not new but measured for tolerance) and also have a number of runs shelf life. The heads are swapped for a fresh set (that have had the springs tested,the valves checked etc) The camshaft is checked and has a limited life based on number of runs. The head gasket (which they have in lots of thicknesses to increase or decrease compression ratio) is new every run The supercharger is serviced (new rota seals added) and tolerances are checked. The blower belt,16 spark plugs,oil are changed ever run. The clutch " pack" is serviced and made available for another run The rear slicks and front tyres are checked for wear and size and are replaced on a run amount bases,or damage. The carbon fibre rear discs and pads are checked and measured.

[@RobertSmith-le8wp]

I watched an interesting in depth interview with a head crew chief of a top fuel team. He said the rods stretch something like 2 thousands after each run. He said they pull everything and kind of mix and match them in a new engine build. I was kind of surprised some parts are way cheaper than I thought they would be. If I’m not mistaken he said the rods were only $1200 a set. Even though they’re the beefiest rods I’ve ever seen he said that the basics of top fuel engines haven’t changed in decades so most of the internal engine parts have been standardized as they’ve figured out what works. I think he said the blocks, crank, cam, springs, etc hardly ever fail catastrophically and can be reused over and over. Standardization is a huge thing. I was watching an Australian engine builder talk about 2 engines he was building and the costs. A 600hp touring car engine was something crazy like $120,000, but those 950hp 410ci engines for winged sprint cars are only 1/3 of that cost because so many guys in America run the exact same engine and the parts are very easy to find, the engines are almost plug and play

[@themadscientest]

The engine gets a full rebuild each run.

[@esatd34]

Great addition, this comment tree.

[@matad311]

Coming from the more professional side of drag racing and my dad racing in NHRA Top Alcohol dragsters. Jeremiah does a great job on these videos and gets really down to the scientific side! You can have the perfect engine tune up for the day but if you screw up 0.5gram in the clutch the run is could be a loss. But remember they are supercharged buy a roots blower on top fuel cars not turbo charged 😉

[@FishfryOGMcTaco]

THANK YOU!!! Finally someone who gets it. Please see my comment. So surprised there was no mention of Don Garlits. His clutch accident changed the entire dragster to the one we know it today. Gotta know, who’s your dad? I’ve known Clay Millican for years. He used to dominate IHRA.

[@matad311]

@@FishfryOGMcTaco yep just saw your comment. yeah I mean he could have gone down a whole rabbit hole in this subject on the containment side. So probably smart to keep it just to the clutch and it’s function for length of video sake lol. Well my dad is Jeff Bohr and stopped racing around 2010. But the funny thing is we are on the other side of the racing world and now and we manufacture drag parts for these guys. The business is Bohr Racing Products and we actually make the titanium bell housings now for the small to big league guys like top fuel.

[@evansmith2238]

Thank you sir! Loved the video but I cringed super hard when I heard “Turbo charged dragsters”

[@saimamerzougui7981]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jprLgaRjqL6KfJI

[@zyntropolis]

I run a nostalgia funny car now & my brother works on Jim Maroney’s top fuel crew. Awesome to see Jeremiah go in depth with this stuff, he nailed it on the head besides the turbo charged dragster part😂

[@Evy_SX]

I love this channel, I'm 12 years old, and this channel helps me to keep learning about cars in a engaging way. My first car I would love to have is a 1998-2004 Mustang GT. Love the work you put into these videos, truly some of the best editing on youtube! You inspire me to keep loving what I love. Thank you!

[@bait-cz5uj]

Do it. Save up your money and get it.

[@Matt-rn7re]

Those might still be cheap

[@Etownsavage666]

That’s a w 1st car I love my 98 gt

[@polton00]

Good tires on a v8 manual mustang is a thing of beauty, good luck!

[@prodbysteexy]

psh just got an 05 (and im 18 so you can easily get that car if you work and if you do good in school and not crash a car before 18 insurance wont be that bad tbh)

[@lf_mocs]

Damn didnt think a clutch could've been less stable than my financial state

[@wildhorses4x4]

Lol!

[@upthecartel8725]

You could’ve structured that sentence better

[@sean6992]

Like what I'm just curious

[@owenmacmillan3616]

Dammmm

[@Term1nator_]

Finally being able to watch a Donut Media episode within the hour.

[@jesusfreak842]

I know what you mean I can usually only watch them on my lunch breaks except on Fridays when I'm off

[@TheTmaaan55]

10:45 there definitely aren't turbocharged engines behind a win, seeing as they use supercharged engines

[@dallynsr]

Thank you.

[@gordoncampbell1937]

Hey this dragster content is fantastic, could you guys do an episode on what is happening when a car does a wheelie? Like how wheelbase and weight distribution affects it? Keep up the great work! Sincerely, The Camshaft Campbell

[@theasteroid5523]

shorter wheelbase and more weight in the back = wheelie...there explained

[@RelyksLegacy]

@@theasteroid5523 It's... more complex than that but you've got a foundation laid out there yeah.

[@saimamerzougui7981]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jprLgaRjqL6KfJI

[@kaneki1056]

try doing a wheelie on a bicycle, you'll get the basic understanding

[@brandonstews238]

Just imagine……….from the green light to the finish line all that happens in 850 revolutions of an engine! Donut should do a video on that. Amazing.

[@HughCStevenson1]

I hadn't thought of that. Now that you mention it, it got me calculating... I thought top fuel cars revved quite low, maybe 4000 rpm? In 5 seconds that's less than 850 revolutions! 333 in fact! Depends on the car design...

[@dhillaz]

The video editor did a great job on this one. Detailed animations and slick presentation at the same time 👍

[@stevebennett9839]

I think drag racing would b a lot more popular if more people could grasp the concept of its not just going in a straight line for a few seconds, that's how I thought before I got into the behind the scenes with shows like this. It's amazing how these engines work.

[@otatts]

I had no idea the clutch was a centrifugal locker clutch! Here I am thinking they were still sliding their foot off the side of the clutch pedal ! Great video again B2B!

[@edstirling]

that explanation of centrifugal force preloading the spring fingers to smooth out clutch engagement is blowing my mind.

[@Atlantafan21]

Sometimes 4 seconds is all you need 😉😈

[@christopherballesteros377]

Giggity

[@SHIZURAKU]

My right hand agrees

[@Benzcla250mobbn]

Jerry flexin' his many different bodies with the same head when talking about a clutch 😭😂😂

[@ComfortableFetus]

I wanna see more drag racing content ...with the donut crew in drag 😏👌🏻

[@jaewhite2462]

Drag is boring. Not worth the 3 hour staging time.

[@jakefromstatefarm145]

@@jaewhite2462how are they boring? They literally go 350 mph, and have 11,000 horsepower!

[@tyomikshkolnik7988]

Donut should open a donut shop with car stuff in it, like a turbo donut XD

[@benjaminboyer39]

I've watched so many videos about how crazy drag cars are and every time I do I learn another crazy thing

[@ohmynuggets8658]

I personally would love to see more Top fuel videos. Alcohol and nitromethane analogies explained by Jeremiah sound appealing.

[@coreydw1]

He did one on the horsepower.

[@ohmynuggets8658]

But not a full b2b on top fuel and funny class

[@michaelkalb4255]

A a Physics teacher, I thank you for calling centrifugal force an apparent force, as opposed to a real force.

[@slowpoke96Z28]

I caught that too lol.

[@ErickBraham]

melt that clutch bby

[@EmeraldR0gue]

I love how scientific this series get. Absolutely fantastic

[@MTBwMacc]

Gotta say I love it when you guys get into the science of things in here you make it very interesting and fun lol

[@cranklabexplosion-labcentr8245]

No, Clutch has been around for like 20 years. They’re still touring.

[@jay.jce1059]

vid just came out and ur saying that 😭

[@seshansmith]

“planets align, a king is born.”

[@petequinones3454]

You follow Creed too?👎👎WEAK $#!T

[@JK-gm6kk]

WHENEVER IT FEELS RIGHT

[@cranklabexplosion-labcentr8245]

@@petequinones3454 What are you talking about? Clutch makes Creed sound like an even weaker falling in reverse lol

[@Super.YT_]

Amazing content, and you make it all so easy to understand. Absolute god tier.

[@bitstreamintercept7272]

My first pro races of any kind were at Englishtown so I fell in love with the cacophony of what performance cars can be specifically because of how terrifyingly loud and fast top fuel cars are. Scared the living piss outta me the instant they did their first burnouts but after it was like a thrill ride that I wanted again and again even though I was like 4 years old. Point is, yes, yes, why eee ess more drag racing lol

[@funkalicious2002]

Pistons and rods definitely get reused so long as they're still in spec. They tear down completely between runs, but that doesn't mean they throw everything away.

[@massey4business]

FINALLY something that lasts less than I do! 😂 Don't feel so bad anymore.

[@taehokang2551]

Yea but with wayyyyyy more impact

[@AllAmericanBeaner68]

Let's see more dragster content! Always fun to see y'all's breakdowns of it.

[@danielrussell22]

This was very interesting and entertaining. I love when you guys do the donut school of car stuff.

[@samhaines8228]

yes sir, more dragster talk! explosive race tech, craziness in a can...also, mad internet points for salad fingers reference!

[@JMilMovies]

It's interesting that a type of clutch was named after a fake force. Centrifugal force is more of a sensation than an actual force. The actual force that is acting is centripetal force. Centrifugal is just a term that was determined to represent the feeling of being pushed away from the center of rotation, but in reality that is just your mass reacting in opposition to centripetal force (the force pulling towards the center of rotation that allows you to keep rotating without breaking out in a straight line away from the center of rotation).

[@dpuamuishu]

Add to that the fact that "centrifical" is a mis pronunciation of centrifugal anywy

[@JMilMovies]

@Karl with a K I never said the video was incorrect. The information provided in the video is correct in relation to the topic discussed. I just said that I think it's funny that there is a clutch named after a fake force and provided the scientific explanation of centripetal and centrifugal. Unless you are referring to dpuamuishu's comment about the pronunciation. In which case, dpuamuishu is correct. He mispronounced centrifugal every time he said it.

[@slowpoke96Z28]

​@@JMilMoviesyou're talking about a thing created by dudes who had to have their lawyer spell it for them when they applied for the patent. Don't be surprised.

[@helpmereach45ksubswithoutvideo]

Fun fact: these videos makes our days better

[@AussieCreeker]

Sintering is just a fancy name for case hardening to align the metal particles without the need of having to beat them with a hammer. Tempering would also be taking place to ensure that it doesn’t crack under initial pressure.

[@cliffp73]

Sir thank you for being you! You seem to be a pretty chill guy.

[@Diesel257]

He said "turbo charged" twice at the end. GET HIM BOYZ!!!

[@themadscientest]

A few forms of hobby racing are just as tuning focused as drag racing, one being RC no prep, Tamiya Mini 4WD, and tether car racing (which still remains the fastest form of model racing to this day).

[@ryurc3033]

I built a no prep rc about 3 years ago, before it got so huge, when it was possible to compete without a carbon fiber chassis, full custom ride.

[@themadscientest]

@@ryurc3033 I'm working on a retro tether car build, everything in that world is custom or small run since it is so small. The really fast guys run full carbon streamliners with bespoke parts and huge glow engines or some have started running brushless setups. I decided to not chase speed records and build for "show and go".

[@slowpoke96Z28]

Tether car? I have to look that up...

[@nowlaj]

Thank you for mixing science and silly humor. You make the complex enjoyable.

[@mrtenors4life69]

I always enjoy a nice Donut video without an ad.

[@kotajames6211]

I would love to see a b2b on a top fuel dragster

[@demetreusdemarcusdaquontav9817]

Never knew that the clutch has more range than my anger issue

[@jebremocampo9194]

GM Turbine car episode please😁 maybe a wheel house, upto speed, or B2B episode. We just need one. Thank you

[@ebrake.5889]

This was actually fascinating to learn about and listen to. I never thought the clutch would be so clutch. hahahaha

[@kyleweedon5851]

With all that sliding friction 4 seconds is an achievement 🙏🏽

[@freakyjim2131]

thats what i try to tell my wife

[@BotsYourAcc]

This episode was a little dry, but I love you guys, keep it up.

[@rebelliousduck9080]

Ur moms a little dry

[@nismo2070]

Holy shit. I had no idea the clutches in these were so damn complicated!! Great video!

[@johnobrien8773]

If you've never been to a Top Fuel dragster race in person you are really missing out. I drove from San Diego to Nor Cal overnight for an event and it was more than worth the loss of sleep... It's like, KA-BOOM!

[@matthewoverby7398]

Is the pneumatic engagement system a crucial part as well? I'd love to see a few episodes or series about how these parts work in tandem, kind of like bumper to bumper tours, but about say a clutch system, or fuel system, or drivetrain. I think that Jerry would make that series great too! Anyways loved the video keep it up Donut!

[@flowerthrower79]

Donut used to have a show called “science garage” that you might be interested in.

[@slowpoke96Z28]

Very much so. It is controlled by the timers he mentioned, and they are programmed to go from released to fully applied in a certain time, and rarely is the application linear. A time vs pressure chart won't look like a y=mx+b, but more like a random noodle. Richer teams actually measure how the cannon moves during the run. Must be nice to have the big bucks lol.

[@slowpoke96Z28]

Did that answer your question?

[@aaronhighsmith2095]

You guys should make a clutch sandwich shirt. I would buy that.

[@kresimirmilisa5560]

thanks jeremiah for explaining about top fuel dragster clutch.

[@BraggenritesNetwork]

Yes more dragster and NHRA content

[@bruhnt5063]

Day 305 of asking Donut to bring old B2B back

[@rxrekker]

They should make it a different series for example: front to rear F2R

[@christianguzman8228]

These are my favorite clutch. The math it takes to get it right is pretty rigorous. This is where estimates and reality really matters. Testing with "taking a little of the top" is so expensive, but math modeling makes accurate enough guesses to try to improve lap times. Also, rocket scientists are never the ones who ride them anywhere. They're smart enough to design them, they know better than to strap themselves to one. 171 Clutches would have been welded during this video.

[@scootersfrog]

watching Clay Millican's YT he has showed alot of the behind the scenes stuff and his clutch lady does a killer job its def a neat piece of kit

[@smythiegato]

Clay's channel is great. If you want to learn about what goes into a Top Fuel team and pass that's a great place to start

[@maxreynolds3749]

Just came home from Gator Nationals watching the opener of the season. Actually got my hands on one of the clutch discs that got thrown out from the top qualifying team. Hilarious this gets recommended to me now.

[@Yashuop]

Your consistency and quality of content never disappoints! ❤️

[@chrisdaffern525]

Ong

[@Trims-And-Things]

agreed

[@prodom1nate112]

@@chrisdaffern525 bro it’s a bot

[@chrisdaffern525]

@@prodom1nate112 damn🤣🤣

[@purplesnot4162]

Fucking bot

[@loganmctaggart1133]

Love to have a melted clutch as a nice paperweight

[@slowpoke96Z28]

They will give you one if you go to the track. Once its cooled off. Just ask any top fuel or funny car team if they have one from that day.

[@slowpoke96Z28]

They are pretty dirty though, so don't use it on important papers lol.

[@GodPapa1640]

I'm so glad you're not doing 37 commercials during your video. Great video by the way.

[@ShaneHornMusic]

yes! another top fuel video!

[@baller7312]

*Hold on baby, gotta weld my clutches together*

[@markoz673bajen8]

What's the diff ?

[@pilotlife140]

Am I the only one that gets home from work, lights one and watches whatever Donut has dropped for the day?

[@codycast]

Yeah. That’s strange man.

[@geoffstartswithg]

Good stuff.

[@trimblerocks]

Salad fingers? That unlocked some memories that I have tried to suppress for years. Thanks for letting them out Jeremiah

[@FatAmericanTrucker]

Sure do love those top fuel “turbo” charged dragsters 😂

[@WASTED__POTENTIAL]

This is the comment I came for. I was just thinking I'd like to learn more about these top fuel dragsters with turbos.

[@rockywalker9115]

Maybe they can cover that in the fuel/induction segment 🤔 😆

[@jorisarthur8262]

Jeremiah went the whole episode without a mom joke. Is he ok?

[@yungboicontigo9278]

Good. Those are old now

[@N1ko0L]

I really feel like Jeremiah is like the outsiders, rarely wearing donuts shitt, Just generally doing the f he want, i love him, please jerry makes More videos I'm sad when you're gone

[@bradiq306]

Finally some drag racing stuff on donut

[@dovydasburneika5836]

8:48 centrifugal force does not work outwards, the force works towards the direction of rotation perpendicularly to the radius of the circle. So the arrow shown in the animation should be turned 90 degrees clockwards.

[@adamantIcarus]

You would be correct for centripetal force. F=(mv^2)/r Centrifugal force is the sensation of feeling pushed to the outside as rotating or turning due to the change in direction and momentum wanting to carry you in the same direction.

[@jacobrev6567]

Now i know about clutch in drag car thanks dount media

[@dolex161]

Hawt dang, Jer bear 🐻 keeping things spicy 🔥🔥🔥

[@jimmygriffiths]

I'm 2s into the video and i'm hyped already cos dragsters are too good!

[@pattonledoux7980]

I like the stash ;)

[@gabrielgaitan4856]

I love this content any more content on Top Fuel, funny car, pro stock, would be very exciting!

[@MikeSavageZA]

You got centrifugal correct Jer. Nasa used to use a 'Centrifuge' to test Astronaut's tolerance to G-forces, not a centrifugg.

[@syedreza8722]

Shoutouts to the graphics team and the awesome host 👍👌👏👏👏👏

[@jasonbeebe1729]

JerrBear always gold A+ Thank Yew

[@PASquared]

After the intro I was so very much expecting an ad that I tapped the arrow like 5 times, and was shocked to discover no ad!

[@r3d-1truth17]

I still think you guys should cover the Chevy Z-series of cars & trucks, with their meanings. Peace & Cheers! Always a joy to watch and learn more about the topics y’all cover.

[@vanillathundr24]

I love how you guys always post right after Daddy Doug posts a video lol

[@derrickfourong]

Great 👍 video brother jerbear

[@misfitsa]

That T-Shirt is a must get💯❤️🔥

[@drxzzyx4641]

donut media always the goats ❤

[@jakepickett3938]

Boninfante Friction manufactures the discs, floaters, input shafts and countless other pieces all in a shop right outside of Philadelphia, PA!!!

[@Hemigod]

I love you guys

[@dannyarchives]

wow i love the sintering process

[@EL-di3ls]

I just had to record myself for a 2 min project took 3 hours. Huge Respect for Jeremiah ur great

[@D-Rockk]

Thx Jer

[@joshuapeterson1029]

More overall coverage of top fuel and funny car and dragster engines / the vehicles themselves, thank you

[@kenny1935]

Good editing

[@chadriddle3517]

Laying down dimes on the ol clutch was highlight of intro!

[@megaduffpuff2435]

Finally a video about my poor stock clutch in my ls swapped s10

[@streetstomper]

Man you clutched this episode..... I had to lol

[@falcopops]

my engineering background and my inner nerd thank you

[@JordanNHoule]

6:37 “Salad Fingers” ooooooo what a deep internet video reference! Fun fact it was the first video I was shown on KZbin and for about 4 months I avoiding the site thinking it was all about weird cartoons that made me feel icky inside.

[@cliffp73]

I want a “let’s go” ring tone! And more power baby as my text notification.

[@TitsMcGeester]

Finally, a worthy component!

[@shagirani5518]

Clutch : we are here to have a good time, not a long time.

[@tudajfor]

TOP Fuel stuff, please. MoAR of it and soon :D Much obliged.

[@lukegerard9009]

Any chance you do a video over headers vs manifolds? It would be super interesting to see you explain the science behind exhaust evacuation.