Manual transmission with wet clutch?

[Ferruccio]

I am sure there is a simple answer for this, but I have been unable to find a satisfactory one. Many motorcycles have wet clutches, and many dual clutch transmissions use wet clutches. Why doesn't a manual transmission in a car use a wet clutch? What are the disadvantages that make a dry clutch so predominant?

[Ferruccio]

No one has any idea? I thought the answer would be obvious. My Googling has not returned any satisfactory answers.

[amgthis]

Good question. I feel like there are marginal benefits of a wet clutch on an automobile's manual tranny. The transmission isn't merged with the engine like on a tranny, so from that standpoint, the engine doesn't have to circulate its oil to the clutch to cool it down. The clutches on cars are generally more robust (bigger surface area) so they can withstand more heat. Wet clutch just doesn't seem necessary. DCTs have wet clutches to handle more torque, but those are found in more expensive cars. Leads me to believe wet clutches are more expensive in general as well.

[Ferruccio]

That is one thing I would live to do: launch off the line in the same manner am that a wet clutch DCT does, without the horrid feeling of knackering a dry clutch.

[tHegeRm]

Probably Size and Torque.

[Ferruccio]

Originally Posted by tHegeRm

Probably Size and Torque.

How so?

[amgthis]

Originally Posted by Ferruccio

That is one thing I would live to do: launch off the line in the same manner am that a wet clutch DCT does, without the horrid feeling of knackering a dry clutch.

What are you launching? A car or bike?

[tHegeRm]

Originally Posted by Ferruccio

How so?

Most motorcycles don't make 300 hp or 300 torque or drive two wheels via a rear axle. Also for size the transmission is included in the gear box, so as does the clutch. The loads exerted on the clutch in a motorcycle are much lower than a car. You want a faster shifting manual trans, figure out a way to do what they do with race bikes, cut fuel and spark as you shift, eliminating the need for the clutch entirely!

[Ferruccio]

Originally Posted by tHegeRm

Most motorcycles don't make 300 hp or 300 torque or drive two wheels via a rear axle. Also for size the transmission is included in the gear box, so as does the clutch. The loads exerted on the clutch in a motorcycle are much lower than a car. You want a faster shifting manual trans, figure out a way to do what they do with race bikes, cut fuel and spark as you shift, eliminating the need for the clutch entirely!

Though, the DCT has a wet clutch, I believe, as well as several other sequential gearboxes. Those can handle mountains of torque.

[tHegeRm]

Originally Posted by Ferruccio

Though, the DCT has a wet clutch, I believe, as well as several other sequential gearboxes. Those can handle mountains of torque.

I'll have my 2013 is DCT next week, I'll let you know.

Just because it's a wet clutch doesn't mean it's any less difficult to burn up.