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Street Clutch?

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Old Oct 20, 2012 | 03:28 PM
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Default Street Clutch?

With the block out at the machine shop, it's time to pick out a new clutch. It's a 1980 with the original 4 speed. The engine will be around 400 to 425 HP and it's just a street driver, no track. With 400 HP, I am thinking that just a stock Napa clutch is not really an option. So, who can recommend a good street clutch that can handle 400HP?
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Old Oct 20, 2012 | 06:34 PM
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I used the McLeod Super Street clutch. They claim about 30% holding power than stock. Slightly higher clutch effort. For my L-48 it has worked fine. You might want the next step up for that kind of power. Good company, good clutch.
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Old Oct 20, 2012 | 06:46 PM
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Several recent threads on this. Mcleod and Zoom have been mentioned. I chose a Centerforce dual friction. The CF II is also a good choice. They are the same pressure plate, just different discs. It has a pedal force close to original but clamps down hard.
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Old Oct 20, 2012 | 09:10 PM
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Originally Posted by flyeri
Several recent threads on this. Mcleod and Zoom have been mentioned. I chose a Centerforce dual friction. The CF II is also a good choice. They are the same pressure plate, just different discs. It has a pedal force close to original but clamps down hard.
I did search some recent posts and the Centerforce seemed to be the way to go. Pedal pressure close to original is preferred and since I am not at 500HP, just the 400HP mark, I thought I would look for some more input. Thanks
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Old Oct 21, 2012 | 10:35 AM
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Hays makes a good street/strip setup.
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Old Oct 21, 2012 | 11:21 AM
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Bet the Napa would hold just fine.

I use a CF DF and love it.
I dont know my power level, had est from 550 to 617 so who knows.
Holds it like theres no tomorrow and a nice pedal to boot.
Think most put "too much clutch" in their cars and get turned off with their bad manners on the street could be wrong though.
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Old Oct 21, 2012 | 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Bet the Napa would hold just fine.

I use a CF DF and love it.
I dont know my power level, had est from 550 to 617 so who knows.
Holds it like theres no tomorrow and a nice pedal to boot.
Think most put "too much clutch" in their cars and get turned off with their bad manners on the street could be wrong though.
Probably 95% of the people on this forum could run a stock clutch with no problems. Think of it this way, street tires are going to break loose long before the clutch will ever slip.
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Old Oct 21, 2012 | 03:14 PM
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Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Bet the Napa would hold just fine.

I use a CF DF and love it.
I dont know my power level, had est from 550 to 617 so who knows.
Holds it like theres no tomorrow and a nice pedal to boot.
Think most put "too much clutch" in their cars and get turned off with their bad manners on the street could be wrong though.
The Napa probably would hold, I just don't want to bet on it. LOL
If yours at 550 and hold well and at best mine is at 430, then the DF is getting ordered. Also, I certainly didn't want a pedal that takes the strength of ten mighty men to push down.
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Old Oct 21, 2012 | 04:15 PM
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I would use a stock replacement clutch. The big name brand in my area is Luk. Even a no name re-man. would be ok for street driving. My experience with these has been good and you can put the money saved elsewhere on your Corvette.
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Old Oct 22, 2012 | 09:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Big Block 69
I would use a stock replacement clutch. The big name brand in my area is Luk. Even a no name re-man. would be ok for street driving. My experience with these has been good and you can put the money saved elsewhere on your Corvette.
The unit I found when I removed the tranny was a Perfection (Zoom?). It really didn't hold up well with the L48, 195 HP engine. I have no delusions that it would hold up with 425 HP.
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Old Oct 22, 2012 | 09:14 PM
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Anyone have any experience with the RAM Muscle Car or PowerGrip Series clutches?
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 12:25 AM
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Originally Posted by spdrcr29
Anyone have any experience with the RAM Muscle Car or PowerGrip Series clutches?
I used a PowerGrip for a couple of years.
It held up well and wasn't hard on the leg.
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 05:31 AM
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Originally Posted by BlackC3vette
The unit I found when I removed the tranny was a Perfection (Zoom?). It really didn't hold up well with the L48, 195 HP engine.
What does that mean? No clutch will hold up well if the driver doesn't know how to use it.
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 07:02 AM
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I use the Hays street/strip disc, with an antique GMPP PP in my 61.
I tried a Luk, but after a few hot shifts it would soft shift(unable to spin tires) .
Ran the Luk PP with the hays for a few years anyway. The Luk was 5# lighter!
Bottomline:
I'd use the hays street/strip disc with hays STREET PP. easy pedal and can take the heat better.

Last edited by Matt Gruber; Oct 23, 2012 at 07:07 AM.
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 07:55 AM
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I run Centerforce Dual Friction clutch and Fidanza aluminum flywheel. While I don't use my vette as a daily driver, adding a T56 6 speed and hydraulic clutch made it much better for the street. It's amazing what the difference is with gearing
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 09:59 AM
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If you want a "hot street clutch" no problem... get one. I have never had a problem with a quality "OE replacement" when installed properly with new pilot bushing and resurface flywheel.

I never had a problem with a stock clutch hold up, that includes in a very strong big block Camaro with 4:56 gears, slicks and multiple trips to the strip.
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Old Oct 23, 2012 | 07:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Matt Gruber
I use the Hays street/strip disc, with an antique GMPP PP in my 61.
I tried a Luk, but after a few hot shifts it would soft shift(unable to spin tires) .
Ran the Luk PP with the hays for a few years anyway. The Luk was 5# lighter!
Bottomline:
I'd use the hays street/strip disc with hays STREET PP. easy pedal and can take the heat better.
Thanks for the info, it's nice to get useable feedback. The engine builder also listed the Hays as one that he prefers
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