Help for clutch decision
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 523
Likes: 4
From: Calgary Alberta
Help for clutch decision
Hello All,
I would like to ask for some recommendations for a clutch for a 77 Vette I am building. I have a 427 SBC - Dart SHP -500hp/500tq crate engine coming for it so I would like to replace the flywheel/clutch/pressure plate for it. I am planning to order a Keisler SS700 trans for it in the future to handle the torque so I would rather not have to replace the flywheel/clutch/pressure plate again when I replace the stock transmission.
I selected a Hays Steel Billet 10-125 - 25lbs - flywheel, however I'm not sure about which clutch/pressure plate to use.
Currently, the existing transmission is a BW ST-10. I spoke to the salesman at Keisler and he recommended a 126 spline - 11" clutch and a pressure plate to match. Unfortunately they are not taking orders at this time so I need to order the clutch/pressure plate from elsewhere. I have narrowed down the selections to a McLeod Super Street Pro, Centerforce Dual Friction, or a RAM Heavy Duty.
Any recommendations on the clutch/presssure plate kit would be appreciated.
Thanks
I would like to ask for some recommendations for a clutch for a 77 Vette I am building. I have a 427 SBC - Dart SHP -500hp/500tq crate engine coming for it so I would like to replace the flywheel/clutch/pressure plate for it. I am planning to order a Keisler SS700 trans for it in the future to handle the torque so I would rather not have to replace the flywheel/clutch/pressure plate again when I replace the stock transmission.
I selected a Hays Steel Billet 10-125 - 25lbs - flywheel, however I'm not sure about which clutch/pressure plate to use.
Currently, the existing transmission is a BW ST-10. I spoke to the salesman at Keisler and he recommended a 126 spline - 11" clutch and a pressure plate to match. Unfortunately they are not taking orders at this time so I need to order the clutch/pressure plate from elsewhere. I have narrowed down the selections to a McLeod Super Street Pro, Centerforce Dual Friction, or a RAM Heavy Duty.
Any recommendations on the clutch/presssure plate kit would be appreciated.
Thanks
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 523
Likes: 4
From: Calgary Alberta
Some more info. to help with clutch selection
Hi All,
Forgot to mention, the car will be mostly street driven with occasional road race/autocross/drag events being attended. The rear differential gear is a 3:73 set.
Thanks
Don
Forgot to mention, the car will be mostly street driven with occasional road race/autocross/drag events being attended. The rear differential gear is a 3:73 set.
Thanks
Don
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 142
Likes: 6
From: Indianapolis, Indiana
It's hard to beat a Centerforce Dual Friction clutch for its performance and its price. 
I ran one on my previous 454 combo. NA that motor was in the 540 to 550 hp range and hit it multiple times with a 150hp shot of NOS. That clutch never missed a beat. Light pedal pressure, no chatter and lasted 10 years. When I took it out for my current combo, still looked and worked good.
I ran one on my previous 454 combo. NA that motor was in the 540 to 550 hp range and hit it multiple times with a 150hp shot of NOS. That clutch never missed a beat. Light pedal pressure, no chatter and lasted 10 years. When I took it out for my current combo, still looked and worked good.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 3
From: League City TX
I ran a Ram Powergip for several years behind the 500+ hp 468 that was in my car at the time. 
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,046
Likes: 675
From: FL
I had a Centerforce Dual Friction behind my 355 with a Tremec 5 speed. Good solid clutch, decent pedal effort. No problems after 20,000 miles.
For my 496 build, I went with the 25# Hays flywheel and the McLeod RST Twin Disc. Awesome clutch. Pedal effort is very easy. Car revs like crazy with this setup. Twice the price of the the Centerforce but definitely worth it.
For my 496 build, I went with the 25# Hays flywheel and the McLeod RST Twin Disc. Awesome clutch. Pedal effort is very easy. Car revs like crazy with this setup. Twice the price of the the Centerforce but definitely worth it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 523
Likes: 4
From: Calgary Alberta
No one on the forum has a McLeod Super Street Pro clutch in their C3? I thought these clutch kits were quite common and used by a lot of Chevy enthusiasts.
Hmmm, seems like it's either going to be a Center force or RAM clutch after all. Thanks All.
Don
Hmmm, seems like it's either going to be a Center force or RAM clutch after all. Thanks All.
Don
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,096
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
This just showed up in my email. Summit shows up to $75 off in manufacturer rebates for Centerforce clutches. The link is from the Summit website-
http://www.summitracing.com/search/B...e&mbid=1209186
There's a rebate form that can be downloaded via the actual email I got. Let me know if you need that and I can just forward the email to you if you want.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/B...e&mbid=1209186
There's a rebate form that can be downloaded via the actual email I got. Let me know if you need that and I can just forward the email to you if you want.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 523
Likes: 4
From: Calgary Alberta
Hi Les
Thanks for link about the sale Centerforce clutch and flywheel sale at Summit, however for me to purchase a Centerforce steel billet flywheel to match the Centerforce clutch would cost $535 vs $292 for the Hayes steel billet flywheel and the Centerforce is much heavier. So in order to save $75 on the Centerforce clutch and flywheel I would have to spend an extra $168. That doesn't seem to be good economics for me. I'm thinking that the RAM or Centerforce clutch with the Hays steel billet flywheel would work just fine.
Thanks for link about the sale Centerforce clutch and flywheel sale at Summit, however for me to purchase a Centerforce steel billet flywheel to match the Centerforce clutch would cost $535 vs $292 for the Hayes steel billet flywheel and the Centerforce is much heavier. So in order to save $75 on the Centerforce clutch and flywheel I would have to spend an extra $168. That doesn't seem to be good economics for me. I'm thinking that the RAM or Centerforce clutch with the Hays steel billet flywheel would work just fine.
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,536
Likes: 1
From: Boca Raton FL
Just saw the thread - I have a McLeod Super Street Pro Clutch in my '69 L46 that recently underwent some performance upgrades (stroked 383, TKO 600, heads, carb, headers, pipes, etc). I only have a few hundred miles on her but I love the feel as it isn't much more pedal pressure than the original clutch. Sorry can't tell you much more than that but I can tell you that I am very happy with it so far.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
Hi Les
Thanks for link about the sale Centerforce clutch and flywheel sale at Summit, however for me to purchase a Centerforce steel billet flywheel to match the Centerforce clutch would cost $535 vs $292 for the Hayes steel billet flywheel and the Centerforce is much heavier. So in order to save $75 on the Centerforce clutch and flywheel I would have to spend an extra $168. That doesn't seem to be good economics for me. I'm thinking that the RAM or Centerforce clutch with the Hays steel billet flywheel would work just fine.
Thanks for link about the sale Centerforce clutch and flywheel sale at Summit, however for me to purchase a Centerforce steel billet flywheel to match the Centerforce clutch would cost $535 vs $292 for the Hayes steel billet flywheel and the Centerforce is much heavier. So in order to save $75 on the Centerforce clutch and flywheel I would have to spend an extra $168. That doesn't seem to be good economics for me. I'm thinking that the RAM or Centerforce clutch with the Hays steel billet flywheel would work just fine.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,096
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
Hi Les
Thanks for link about the sale Centerforce clutch and flywheel sale at Summit, however for me to purchase a Centerforce steel billet flywheel to match the Centerforce clutch would cost $535 vs $292 for the Hayes steel billet flywheel and the Centerforce is much heavier. So in order to save $75 on the Centerforce clutch and flywheel I would have to spend an extra $168. That doesn't seem to be good economics for me. I'm thinking that the RAM or Centerforce clutch with the Hays steel billet flywheel would work just fine.
Thanks for link about the sale Centerforce clutch and flywheel sale at Summit, however for me to purchase a Centerforce steel billet flywheel to match the Centerforce clutch would cost $535 vs $292 for the Hayes steel billet flywheel and the Centerforce is much heavier. So in order to save $75 on the Centerforce clutch and flywheel I would have to spend an extra $168. That doesn't seem to be good economics for me. I'm thinking that the RAM or Centerforce clutch with the Hays steel billet flywheel would work just fine.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 523
Likes: 4
From: Calgary Alberta
Okay, I've made my choice regarding the clutch and flywheel combination that I am going to go with. Any recommendations and or tips with regards to this selection before I put the order in?
Centerforce dual friction clutch kit:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CTF-DF148552/
Hays 10-125 - Steel Billet flywheel
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HAY-10-125/
Thanks for the recommendations.
Centerforce dual friction clutch kit:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CTF-DF148552/
Hays 10-125 - Steel Billet flywheel
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/HAY-10-125/
Thanks for the recommendations.