Clutch Burners ep 58- Blayne Stark

<p>This episode follows the Clutch Burners crew as they break down Brett Lasala’s switch from automatic to stick shift and what that means for the car, the crew, and the tuning approach. Blayne Stark joins the conversation with real-time updates from the shop, including clutch setup changes, suspension tweaks, data logging, and the plan for Wisconsin. We discuss the learning curve of a clutch car, how the team is adapting between rounds, and why the Blue Mustang project is turning into a major second build for drag and drive competition.</p><p></p><p>00:00 - Intro, Brett’s last minute thrash, and tonight’s guest Blaine Stark</p><p>01:24 - Brett’s clutch service and the stripped stud problem</p><p>02:07 - Late night testing prep and help from Derek Santiago and PMR Racing</p><p>03:20 - Six lever clutch basics and the primary versus secondary lever design</p><p>04:47 - Reworking the clutch pedal and cross shaft geometry</p><p>06:05 - How they stage the car and build boost before the hit</p><p>07:13 - What primary and secondary clutch levers actually do</p><p>09:39 - How small the clutch wear changes are between rounds</p><p>11:05 - Service access through the bellhousing and titanium hardware details</p><p>11:37 - Brett’s excitement after the first stick shift video and first runs</p><p>13:06 - Coyote engine setup, Fast Forward block, and head temp concerns</p><p>13:54 - More setup work with a stick car versus the old automatic combination</p><p>15:11 - Weight savings from ditching the converter setup and extra ballast</p><p>16:48 - How Blaine got tied into Brett’s team and now travels to races</p><p>18:06 - What their between-round routine looks like with the clutch car</p><p>19:14 - Data acquisition, clutch temp sensing, and what they monitor</p><p>20:48 - Suspension changes and why the setup was softened a bit</p><p>22:53 - Tire choice, 60 foot progress, and the first 1.16 launch</p><p>24:06 - Wisconsin testing plans and the goal of gathering more data</p><p>25:26 - Why the Foxbody platform and stock suspension style make sense</p><p>26:36 - The Blue Mustang build, back half changes, and bigger tire clearance</p><p>28:57 - Getting ready for Drag Week and why they’re going even without an entry</p><p>31:28 - The wagon engine failure, chassis dyno testing, and oiling problem</p><p>33:01 - The wrong ring pack and the fix that got the engine back together</p><p>34:33 - What class the wagon might run and why it doesn’t fit neatly anywhere</p><p>35:44 - Why Drag Week is the missing sticker on the windshield for them</p><p>36:11 - Gear changes, rear gear tuning, and moving from 4400 to 5700 two-step</p><p>37:11 - Trying to get the clutch to stay locked sooner with a small motor</p><p>38:57 - Building the Blue Mustang for stick shift drag and drive competition</p><p>40:10 - The stick shift trend catching on and other fast cars in the class</p><p>41:53 - Tom’s Pontiac swap idea and the weird transaxle history of the Le Mans</p><p>47:43 - Plan for Wisconsin, testing opportunities, and possibly getting laps in</p><p>49:27 - Wagon performance, 60 foots, and what the engine hurt run looked like</p><p>51:00 - Why radios helped their racing routine and reduced chaos</p><p>53:13 - FuelTech versus Holley discussion for the Blue Mustang</p><p>54:28 - The old engine failure, detonation, and what got damaged</p><p>57:08 - Aluminum rods, weight change, and clutch behavior from reduced mass</p><p>58:33 - Tire pressure, track reading, and using a track meter</p><p>60:44 - Clutch setup differences between the Defiant and Ace style clutches</p><p>62:31 - How much they are slipping the clutch and why the RPM band matters</p><p>64:38 - The balance between slipping enough and locking up too early</p><p>66:22 - Predictions for Wisconsin, the crew’s confidence, and closing thoughts</p><p>69:15 - Precision Parts, Blaine’s Therapy, and where to find the team online</p><p><br><br></p>