Clutch recommendations?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 546
Likes: 0
From: Pinellas Park FL
Clutch recommendations?
My 454 runs about 450 HP and 500 ft/lb of torque. I currently have the M21 4 speed and 3.36 gears. Can anyone recommend a good clutch that will hold up and not kill my leg in traffic?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
Absolutely! I would recomend the factory dual plate clutch, that was standard issue for the 1971 LS-6. This clutch has two 10 inch discs, fine spline for M22 use or course spline for M21 use. Total surface area is 201 square inches versus the 164 for the standard 11 inch big block clutch.
This clutch was designed for use on the road racing circuit, where there were numerous shifts during the 6 to 8 hrs of endurance racing, the pressure is 1600 to 1800 lbs versus the stock 2450 to 2600 lbs standard clutch.
This clutch was also designed and used by the drag racing circuit and has held up behind such brutal power as 1000 hp.
I have an NOS set-up for an M21 and a very little used set-up for an M22.
A special flywheel was used for externally balanced 454 engines with this clutch set-up. This flywheel is being reproduced by Crane Corvettes in San Diego.
This clutch was designed for use on the road racing circuit, where there were numerous shifts during the 6 to 8 hrs of endurance racing, the pressure is 1600 to 1800 lbs versus the stock 2450 to 2600 lbs standard clutch.
This clutch was also designed and used by the drag racing circuit and has held up behind such brutal power as 1000 hp.
I have an NOS set-up for an M21 and a very little used set-up for an M22.
A special flywheel was used for externally balanced 454 engines with this clutch set-up. This flywheel is being reproduced by Crane Corvettes in San Diego.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,014
Likes: 2,257
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
I've used the Centerforce with great luck behind my 427 and the 540 for at least 5-6 years. It held well at 700+ hp and drag strip stuff. In fact my buddy is still using it in his 327 Vette and it's now about 8 years old!
I next went to a custom built Mcleod Street twin dual disc. As mentioned, it holds incredible with decent leg effort. Plus no chatters etc.
I'm about to move to a slipper type sintered iron clutch assy....drop me an note if you're interested in my dual disc. It's complete from flywheel to throwout bearing and still works perfect. I gurantee you it can hold anything you throw at it.
JIM
I next went to a custom built Mcleod Street twin dual disc. As mentioned, it holds incredible with decent leg effort. Plus no chatters etc.
I'm about to move to a slipper type sintered iron clutch assy....drop me an note if you're interested in my dual disc. It's complete from flywheel to throwout bearing and still works perfect. I gurantee you it can hold anything you throw at it.
JIM
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Salem Oregon
Along those same lines- I'm just now replacing the L-46 in my wife's '69 coupe. The clutch has been dinner conversation before and would like to avoid that in the future. The new motor is a 406 small block, roughly 400+ hp. What would the groups consensus be for a clutch in a daily driver that a woman can comfortably drive. Canter force II? Thank you,
Last edited by Fstdraw; Apr 27, 2005 at 04:39 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,014
Likes: 2,257
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
If you go with Centerforce..I'd use the Dual Friction..NOT the II. It's not that much better than stock stuff.
JIM
JIM
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