Posted By: mopartoby
Bruno - 08/12/12 06:44 PM
Anyone using a bruno lenco? Im looking for pros and cons of these tranny's. 
Bruno
Posted By: mopartony
Re: Bruno - 08/12/12 06:46 PM
My current build is using a bruno and Liberty Extreme.
The only down fall I am hearing about is you need to use the trans brake to put the trans in gear. But not sure if that is for all or just the Liberty.
EDIT: I am also using a Browell bellhousing. Bruno only makes bell housings for Chevy.
The only down fall I am hearing about is you need to use the trans brake to put the trans in gear. But not sure if that is for all or just the Liberty.
EDIT: I am also using a Browell bellhousing. Bruno only makes bell housings for Chevy.
Posted By: jim sciortino
Re: Bruno - 08/12/12 07:41 PM
My buddy has a Bruno/Jeffco in his #3200+ Hemicuda'. It's been 8.40s N/A and is very reliable.
He's a memeber here and will probably chime in, if he sees the thread.
He's a memeber here and will probably chime in, if he sees the thread.
Posted By: B1CUDA
Re: Bruno - 08/12/12 08:36 PM
We won 2 Outlaw 10.5 championships with a Bruno/Lenco, and they are bullet proof. Make sure to change the fluid, and that set up will be the least of your worries.
Posted By: Georg
Re: Bruno - 08/12/12 09:19 PM
Those trannys are way to go but the price is ....
Posted By: 23T Hemmee
Re: Bruno - 08/13/12 02:16 AM
Quote:
The only down fall I am hearing about is you need to use the trans brake to put the trans in gear. But not sure if that is for all or just the Liberty.
Tony,
You have to use the trans-brake to stop the input/output shaft from rotating, just as you would use a clutch to put a manual tranny in gear. In the Lenco's case, the reverser is the mechanical part of the unit as the slider gear/shaft has to mesh with main drive coming out of the forward Lenco units. Impossible if the unit is rotating. I'm assuming a Liberty is a straight gear unit like a conventional manual tranny so the same would apply. I've had a few snags with mine, most of which I attribute to buying a used piece, but pretty well have everything straigtened out. Two major problems, one was having the apply piston pushrod jumping out of the detent on the apply band and cocking the band on the drum, burning the band up. Its a little tricky but I was able to secure the band enough in my end mill to plunge cut about .150" deeper detent, havn't had any more issues there. I suppose a carefully applied die grinder with a small rounded tip could do the same thing, possibly better. Other problem, I was having trouble with the electric solenoid that plunges the teflon poppet solenoid to seal the air system that applies the brake. Turns out my little 4-wheeler battery didn't have enough amperage to give the solenoid what it needed to seal 200+ pounds of air pressure consistently, a problem that usually reared its ugly head in the staging lanes. Bigger battery, problem solved, seems simple fix now, just wished I could have figured it out sooner, would still have most of my hair......
Posted By: gillman34
Re: Bruno - 08/13/12 05:31 AM
I have a Bruno/Liberty Extreme in my car for about 3 years now.
It works flawlessly,much less parasitic loss than a Lenco.
Yes, you must use the trans brake to put the Liberty in gear,just like stepping on the clutch.
Bruno Drive fluid temps will scare you(275+) but are not a durability issue,just change the fluid often.Other than that,pretty simple.
It works flawlessly,much less parasitic loss than a Lenco.
Yes, you must use the trans brake to put the Liberty in gear,just like stepping on the clutch.
Bruno Drive fluid temps will scare you(275+) but are not a durability issue,just change the fluid often.Other than that,pretty simple.
Posted By: mopartony
Re: Bruno - 08/13/12 03:44 PM
Hate for this to turn into a hijacking of a good thread. But can not let the info go with out a question or 2.
Thanks for that heads up on the snags. Always good to know who has blazed the path before I start down the same path blind...
The Bruno I picked up was used but came out of a running car and had no issues. So I hope I do not have to play the die grinder/end mill game.
That and the Liberty is new so I can hope that the only issues I have are that I need to change the input shaft on the Liberty from 32 to 6, cheaper than changing the bruno to 32 from 6($1400 vs restocking fee on the shafts about $20). Then the pilot on the new input shaft did not fit the pilot bushing/bearing in the bruno... 
Those are the only issues I have see so far. The motor I am running will have an alt and big battery so I am not worried about the air.
How often do you change the fluid? Does the trans come out of gear when you let off the gas? Any issues getting the car out of gear after the burnout?
Quote:
Tony,
You have to use the trans-brake to stop the input/output shaft from rotating, just as you would use a clutch to put a manual tranny in gear. In the Lenco's case, the reverser is the mechanical part of the unit as the slider gear/shaft has to mesh with main drive coming out of the forward Lenco units. Impossible if the unit is rotating. I'm assuming a Liberty is a straight gear unit like a conventional manual tranny so the same would apply. I've had a few snags with mine, most of which I attribute to buying a used piece, but pretty well have everything straigtened out. Two major problems, one was having the apply piston pushrod jumping out of the detent on the apply band and cocking the band on the drum, burning the band up. Its a little tricky but I was able to secure the band enough in my end mill to plunge cut about .150" deeper detent, havn't had any more issues there. I suppose a carefully applied die grinder with a small rounded tip could do the same thing, possibly better. Other problem, I was having trouble with the electric solenoid that plunges the teflon poppet solenoid to seal the air system that applies the brake. Turns out my little 4-wheeler battery didn't have enough amperage to give the solenoid what it needed to seal 200+ pounds of air pressure consistently, a problem that usually reared its ugly head in the staging lanes. Bigger battery, problem solved, seems simple fix now, just wished I could have figured it out sooner, would still have most of my hair......
Thanks for that heads up on the snags. Always good to know who has blazed the path before I start down the same path blind...
The Bruno I picked up was used but came out of a running car and had no issues. So I hope I do not have to play the die grinder/end mill game.
That and the Liberty is new so I can hope that the only issues I have are that I need to change the input shaft on the Liberty from 32 to 6, cheaper than changing the bruno to 32 from 6($1400 vs restocking fee on the shafts about $20). Then the pilot on the new input shaft did not fit the pilot bushing/bearing in the bruno... Those are the only issues I have see so far. The motor I am running will have an alt and big battery so I am not worried about the air. Quote:
I have a Bruno/Liberty Extreme in my car for about 3 years now.
It works flawlessly,much less parasitic loss than a Lenco.
Yes, you must use the trans brake to put the Liberty in gear,just like stepping on the clutch.
Bruno Drive fluid temps will scare you(275+) but are not a durability issue,just change the fluid often.Other than that,pretty simple.
How often do you change the fluid? Does the trans come out of gear when you let off the gas? Any issues getting the car out of gear after the burnout?
Posted By: gillman34
Re: Bruno - 08/14/12 12:43 AM
Quote:
Hate for this to turn into a hijacking of a good thread. But can not let the info go with out a question or 2.Quote:
Tony,
You have to use the trans-brake to stop the input/output shaft from rotating, just as you would use a clutch to put a manual tranny in gear. In the Lenco's case, the reverser is the mechanical part of the unit as the slider gear/shaft has to mesh with main drive coming out of the forward Lenco units. Impossible if the unit is rotating. I'm assuming a Liberty is a straight gear unit like a conventional manual tranny so the same would apply. I've had a few snags with mine, most of which I attribute to buying a used piece, but pretty well have everything straigtened out. Two major problems, one was having the apply piston pushrod jumping out of the detent on the apply band and cocking the band on the drum, burning the band up. Its a little tricky but I was able to secure the band enough in my end mill to plunge cut about .150" deeper detent, havn't had any more issues there. I suppose a carefully applied die grinder with a small rounded tip could do the same thing, possibly better. Other problem, I was having trouble with the electric solenoid that plunges the teflon poppet solenoid to seal the air system that applies the brake. Turns out my little 4-wheeler battery didn't have enough amperage to give the solenoid what it needed to seal 200+ pounds of air pressure consistently, a problem that usually reared its ugly head in the staging lanes. Bigger battery, problem solved, seems simple fix now, just wished I could have figured it out sooner, would still have most of my hair......
Thanks for that heads up on the snags. Always good to know who has blazed the path before I start down the same path blind...
The Bruno I picked up was used but came out of a running car and had no issues. So I hope I do not have to play the die grinder/end mill game.Quote:
I have a Bruno/Liberty Extreme in my car for about 3 years now.
It works flawlessly,much less parasitic loss than a Lenco.
Yes, you must use the trans brake to put the Liberty in gear,just like stepping on the clutch.
Bruno Drive fluid temps will scare you(275+) but are not a durability issue,just change the fluid often.Other than that,pretty simple.
How often do you change the fluid? Does the trans come out of gear when you let off the gas? Any issues getting the car out of gear after the burnout?
I change the fluid even 15-20 passes depending on how hot it got and for how long.I use John Deere hydrostatic fluid and check the color,I change it when it starts to darken.
Yes,the trans neutrals when you lift off the throttle,it's designed that way,you must stop and apply the trans brake to get it back in gear.Driving around the pits you must keep your hand on the shifter holding it in gear or it will pop out.
No problem with the burnout,when you lift and roll out of the burnout it will neutral by itself or you can move the shifter.
I do the burnout in direct (5th) gear,get it up on the tire for 4 seconds and release the lineloc,let it roll out as I'm slowly lifting off the throttle until I feel it grab and then close the throttle and let the car roll a little,stop,hit the trans brake,put it in first and stage the car.This sounds like a lot but,it only takes about 2 car length's to do.Or you can put it in 1st and shift all the way thru across the line and give them a big ole' smokey John Force burnout!!! LOL
Posted By: mopartony
Re: Bruno - 08/14/12 04:57 AM
Awesome thanks that is what I wanted to know.
The class I am building for only allows 4 spds. So No 5th for me...
The class also wants you to put on a show. I was thinking start in 3rd with a rolling burnout, kind of like the prostocks do today. But that is a year away or more still. Have a few more parts to collect and some money to save before I get to have fun.
The class I am building for only allows 4 spds. So No 5th for me...
The class also wants you to put on a show. I was thinking start in 3rd with a rolling burnout, kind of like the prostocks do today. But that is a year away or more still. Have a few more parts to collect and some money to save before I get to have fun.
Posted By: mopartoby
Re: Bruno - 08/14/12 07:04 AM
I think im sold!! Donno about the tail end but i think i'll run the bruno drive 
i'll just have to figure out wich one suits me better, lenco, libierty, jerico, etc. thanks for all the replies!!
i'll just have to figure out wich one suits me better, lenco, libierty, jerico, etc. thanks for all the replies!!
Posted By: 23T Hemmee
Re: Bruno - 08/15/12 05:03 PM
Choice of tranny is pretty much dependent on type of car/weight/HP/suspension. Like Gillman said, there is less parasitic loss with a Liberty, but a Lenco will work better in a car like mine, solid mount rear, tripod front, big inch blower motor. The only suspension I have is in the rear tires,the Lenco uses planetary gears and clutches like an automatic and the shifts are not as violent as a Liberty or Jerico. Either of those would probably make my car impossible to get down the track but a 4-link door car would be a different story. Eventually though, the more HP you have, will necessitate a Lenco or B&J.
BTW, the only rotating parts in the Bruno are the input/output shaft and the transbrake drum itself, neither of which generate much heat on their own unless the apply band to the drum is slipping. All of the heat is generated by the convertor itself, just like any other convertor equipped tranny. The fluid capacity (in mine approximately 5 quarts with a 10" convertor) of the Bruno, in my opinion is a big reason it seems to generate more heat, or maybe doesn't disapate the heat more quickly in a bracket or round robin situation. Bruno just recently started selling a hi-capacity pan, which coupled with a tranny cooler would be a worthwhile investment.
BTW, the only rotating parts in the Bruno are the input/output shaft and the transbrake drum itself, neither of which generate much heat on their own unless the apply band to the drum is slipping. All of the heat is generated by the convertor itself, just like any other convertor equipped tranny. The fluid capacity (in mine approximately 5 quarts with a 10" convertor) of the Bruno, in my opinion is a big reason it seems to generate more heat, or maybe doesn't disapate the heat more quickly in a bracket or round robin situation. Bruno just recently started selling a hi-capacity pan, which coupled with a tranny cooler would be a worthwhile investment.
Posted By: mopartoby
Re: Bruno - 08/15/12 05:44 PM
Its a 70 cuda tube chassis. 1100 + hp b1mc 605. I dont have a huge bugdet. Im over building this thing so i dont have to freshen things every 50 runs! Hence why im not considering a glide. From people i've talked i think this may work for me. With either a lenco, or liberty or jerico etc. i considered a clutch pedal but i wont get enough runs a year to be really Consistent. 
Posted By: FastmOp
Re: Bruno - 08/15/12 05:51 PM
What shifter are u looking at?
I went with the ACD air shifter for my three speed lenco
I went with the ACD air shifter for my three speed lenco
Posted By: mopartoby
Re: Bruno - 08/15/12 05:56 PM
Probably air shift.
Posted By: mafo
Re: Bruno - 08/15/12 08:16 PM
I m afraid that a liberty will need some maintenance, sliders wear, and if you forget to press the transbrake button before putting it in gear... it needs checking, I don t think it will go even 50 rounds
the bruno unit, there where other manufacturer to, pat donovan, api, at least, should be bullet proof, just check the band now and then
If you buy an used liberty(like me) ,you need to change high gear slider to one that let the trans go to neutral when you let of the gas,othervise it is hit or miss to get neutral the after burnout,
it s a pain in the a** when trans is stuck in high gear when you should be staging
the bruno unit, there where other manufacturer to, pat donovan, api, at least, should be bullet proof, just check the band now and then
If you buy an used liberty(like me) ,you need to change high gear slider to one that let the trans go to neutral when you let of the gas,othervise it is hit or miss to get neutral the after burnout,
it s a pain in the a** when trans is stuck in high gear when you should be staging
Posted By: gillman34
Re: Bruno - 08/16/12 12:06 AM
Yes,it's hot fluid straight from the converter to the cooler.(I have 2 in the car) and back to the pan.I also have a Wolfe Racecraft extra capacity sheet metal pan,total fill is 12 quarts.It gets hot in the late rounds.
I have 3+ years of use on the Liberty and inspect it(open it up) at the end of the year,and have had no wear or worn out parts.The oil in the trans gets changed every 50 or so passes.
My car weighs 3660lbs with me in it and makes alot of
power(1200+) and shift in the 9000+ area.
I have 3+ years of use on the Liberty and inspect it(open it up) at the end of the year,and have had no wear or worn out parts.The oil in the trans gets changed every 50 or so passes.
My car weighs 3660lbs with me in it and makes alot of
power(1200+) and shift in the 9000+ area.
Posted By: 572_HEMI_Cuda
Re: Bruno - 08/16/12 02:39 AM
Quote:
My buddy has a Bruno/Jeffco in his #3200+ Hemicuda'. It's been 8.40s N/A and is very reliable.
He's a memeber here and will probably chime in, if he sees the thread.
300 plus runs in 2 cars...zero problems.
Like others have said, change fluid often.
Posted By: mopartony
Re: Bruno - 08/16/12 04:00 AM
All great info guys!! Thanks.
I have one question for Gillman. Ok you said you crack open the case once a year to check things. How tough is that? I have to change the input shaft on the Liberty as it is 32 spline and the bruno is 6. It is also $300 fix on the Liberty vs a $1300 fix on the Bruno.
Any pit falls I should be aware of or is it pretty straight forward?
I have one question for Gillman. Ok you said you crack open the case once a year to check things. How tough is that? I have to change the input shaft on the Liberty as it is 32 spline and the bruno is 6. It is also $300 fix on the Liberty vs a $1300 fix on the Bruno.
Any pit falls I should be aware of or is it pretty straight forward?
Posted By: mafo
Re: Bruno - 08/16/12 07:07 AM
Quote:
I have 3+ years of use on the Liberty and inspect it(open it up) at the end of the year,and have had no wear or worn out parts.The oil in the trans gets changed every 50 or so passes.
Is your trans a extreme or is the newer ones that much better?
mine is a old 4 speed, bought it used 1990, I bet it was already 10 years old then
and Tony, if you get everything back in and it spins, it s correctly assembled
Posted By: HEMIFRED
Re: Bruno - 08/16/12 08:46 AM
Quote:
Its a 70 cuda tube chassis. 1100 + hp b1mc 605. I dont have a huge bugdet. Im over building this thing so i dont have to freshen things every 50 runs! Hence why im not considering a glide.
50 runs on a glide ?? I run a bone stock one behind 588" and have well over 200 passes and untouched.
Also Pulled the Clutch and Lenco out of the Turbo hemi runner which is replaced by an ATI lock up p/glide 11K with converter plus a 5 year warentee on all hard parts.no more hot clutch adjustments or dialing in . Saved better than 75 pounds too.
with p/g gear sets rated to 3000 hp it can replace the lenco which was mainly strength. The lock up will be the standard in high HP cars
Posted By: mopartoby
Re: Bruno - 08/16/12 10:16 AM
Hemi fred..... Im not knockin the pg!! My good friend runs a low 7 door slammer, of the other race . He just spent 7500 bucks on an ati glide rated for 2500 hp. He runs a 622 reher morrison raptor motor 1300+hp. He 's got a deep pan and an electric cooling pump and can cant make them live. Im not going to make that kinda power i just want toughness and reliabillity. i live in bc canada, the temps are chill in our short race season. If a glide with a cooler and electric pump cant help a glide live what does a guy do? Thats why i want an over built bruno..... Maybe? Im still looking for options but i think the glide is out unless there's a better bang for my buck.
. He just spent 7500 bucks on an ati glide rated for 2500 hp. He runs a 622 reher morrison raptor motor 1300+hp. He 's got a deep pan and an electric cooling pump and can cant make them live. Im not going to make that kinda power i just want toughness and reliabillity. i live in bc canada, the temps are chill in our short race season. If a glide with a cooler and electric pump cant help a glide live what does a guy do? Thats why i want an over built bruno..... Maybe? Im still looking for options but i think the glide is out unless there's a better bang for my buck.
Posted By: mopartony
Re: Bruno - 08/16/12 03:44 PM
Toby,
You are like me. Over build and then no worries. I also wanted to run a Liberty. That is why I am. I would be running a clutch but the time between rounds if I run brackets is not enough but I have been told I could get a couple passes out of one adjustment.
As for having to tune the clutch, a good clutch tuner can get it on one pass. Seen it done and not on the pro level. We ran a clutch for a long time. trust me, once we hit the set up no one could touch us. But we also ran more power and less tire than everyone one else so tuning the clutch was a little tricky.
I will remember if it spins it is put together right...
You are like me. Over build and then no worries. I also wanted to run a Liberty. That is why I am. I would be running a clutch but the time between rounds if I run brackets is not enough but I have been told I could get a couple passes out of one adjustment.
As for having to tune the clutch, a good clutch tuner can get it on one pass. Seen it done and not on the pro level. We ran a clutch for a long time. trust me, once we hit the set up no one could touch us. But we also ran more power and less tire than everyone one else so tuning the clutch was a little tricky.
I will remember if it spins it is put together right...
Posted By: 23T Hemmee
Re: Bruno - 08/17/12 04:50 PM
Can someone give me a quick education? I always that the Jeffco was an update of the old Jerico's, but looking at the picture above, the shifters indicate to me that its more of a planetary style tranny, similar to a Lenco, although the picture makes it look larger than a CS-2 at least. Guess I've been in the Lenco dark ages too long...lol. Anybody have a web-site or info about them? Thanks.
Posted By: mopartoby
Re: Bruno - 08/17/12 05:43 PM
Tony. Pm sent
Posted By: gillman34
Re: Bruno - 08/17/12 08:44 PM
Quote:
All great info guys!! Thanks.
I have one question for Gillman. Ok you said you crack open the case once a year to check things. How tough is that? I have to change the input shaft on the Liberty as it is 32 spline and the bruno is 6. It is also $300 fix on the Liberty vs a $1300 fix on the Bruno.
Any pit falls I should be aware of or is it pretty straight forward?
I had mine built for each other from new. Told Bruno it was getting a Liberty Extreme and told Liberty it was going behind a Bruno Drive.They fit together perfectly.
The Liberty has a split case that has bolts around the perimeter.
Very easy to service and it comes with a pretty good manual and gear ratio chart to help you out with servicing it yourself.
Posted By: 572_HEMI_Cuda
Re: Bruno - 08/17/12 09:13 PM
Quote:
Can someone give me a quick education? I always that the Jeffco was an update of the old Jerico's, but looking at the picture above, the shifters indicate to me that its more of a planetary style tranny, similar to a Lenco, although the picture makes it look larger than a CS-2 at least. Guess I've been in the Lenco dark ages too long...lol. Anybody have a web-site or info about them? Thanks.
Jeffco is like a Lenco. Not sure if they still have a website since Jeff passed. Pat Donovan know the guy that took over Jeffco. I think his name is Shawn. Could call Pat...You can buy Lenco parts for the Jeffco.
Posted By: 23T Hemmee
Re: Bruno - 08/20/12 05:51 PM
Thanks for the comeback Cuda. So from what you said, I take it the Jeffco was built to take Lenco internals, correct? Have you had any problems with the reverser on the Jeffco. That's been just about my only real complaint with the Lenco, when they started modifying the original reversers to have a neutral for the Lencodrive or other converter style (Bruno's,Donovans,B&J's)the neutral gate is extremely narrow and really a pain sometimes to get in and out of forward/reverse after burnout using transbrake at higher (1600-1800)idle. The sun gear that engages the reverse slider could be a lot beefier in my opinion, although in my case being a used tranny to start with, it could have been abused before I got it and I just finished it off. Knock on wood, I havn't had any real problems with the new one since fall of '09. I do know most of the monster truck guys have gone to the B&J because they kept tearing up Lenco reversers. The B&J looks physically about the same size as the Jeffco in your pic, just wondering what the Jeffco's are rated at power-wise.
http://www.bandjtransmission.com/
http://www.bandjtransmission.com/
Posted By: 572_HEMI_Cuda
Re: Bruno - 08/26/12 12:46 PM
The jeffco is like a cs1, can take about 3000HP
Never had a problem with the reverser or engagement but my car idles at 1000 rpm. I heard of people having trouble at higher rpm's but that was with a clutch not a bruno. when the jeffco doesn't engage at first, I just hit the trans brake again to stop it in a different spot then it slides right in.
Never had a problem with the reverser or engagement but my car idles at 1000 rpm. I heard of people having trouble at higher rpm's but that was with a clutch not a bruno. when the jeffco doesn't engage at first, I just hit the trans brake again to stop it in a different spot then it slides right in.