Centerforce Clutch?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
I just pulled mine and I think I am going with a CF clutch. I dug out receipts and the previous owner had a LuK clutch. I am also converting to hydraulic with an external slave setup from Novak Conversions. I would guess a spinning top will not center the weights because the centerline axis of the top is constantly changing. On a clutch the centerline being the input shaft on the trans is locked in position and cannot move unless there is another issue . . . possibly the pilot bushing. I'm not sure if I have that bushing name correct.
you say that... and Center force tells you that. but think about it... really...
Please explain to me, how off center weights on a spinning top will/or can self center themselves?
not physically possible.... when the weights sling over to one side... thats where they are at... period....
Then I would feel the vibration... then i would depress the clutch... making the weights somewhat centered via the throughout bearing... then once released... the weights if ever so slightly to just one side or the other (and this will always be, as it is never perfectly allinged or weighted) will once again slide over to one side, inducing vibration.....
my 427 is so well balanced that the only way for me to know when to shift right now is the tac.... at 7000+rpm its as smooth as any stock C6 engine at 3000rpm..... this has created its own problem... shift light is the next step.... with the center force i could feel the vibration and know when to shift.... this is my no means a first time experience with CF... just took me a while to figure the problem out...
imho... the CF clutches are junk.
Please explain to me, how off center weights on a spinning top will/or can self center themselves?
not physically possible.... when the weights sling over to one side... thats where they are at... period....
Then I would feel the vibration... then i would depress the clutch... making the weights somewhat centered via the throughout bearing... then once released... the weights if ever so slightly to just one side or the other (and this will always be, as it is never perfectly allinged or weighted) will once again slide over to one side, inducing vibration.....
my 427 is so well balanced that the only way for me to know when to shift right now is the tac.... at 7000+rpm its as smooth as any stock C6 engine at 3000rpm..... this has created its own problem... shift light is the next step.... with the center force i could feel the vibration and know when to shift.... this is my no means a first time experience with CF... just took me a while to figure the problem out...
imho... the CF clutches are junk.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
I've been hearing of the balance problems with Centerforce clutches for years, and I can certainly understand the concerns. In fact, I can't figure out why they wouldn't all be out of balance. However, with that said, I have two of them. One in my 66 and one in my 79. Neither has a vibration problem. My buddy also has a CF in his 350 S10 and he has no vibration problem either. Not sure why some do and some don't, but I've had good luck with them.
I just pulled mine and I think I am going with a CF clutch. I dug out receipts and the previous owner had a LuK clutch. I am also converting to hydraulic with an external slave setup from Novak Conversions. I would guess a spinning top will not center the weights because the centerline axis of the top is constantly changing. On a clutch the centerline being the input shaft on the trans is locked in position and cannot move unless there is another issue . . . possibly the pilot bushing. I'm not sure if I have that bushing name correct.
Ok, here is my take on this.... JMHO...
the vibration is not like CRAZY,,, But, it's their... I BELIEVE that many of the people that run the CF clutch that have the vibration through it off because of the ltd exhaust, of big cam or the car being 30xx years old.... whatever reason...
get in a new vette and rev the engine.. 4k.. 5k....6k.... just gets louder and higher pitched,,, same on the freeway... go faster, guts louder and higher pitch... but no vibration... none... We have a C4, 5 6 and Z.... when i ran the CF in any of my vehicles they all had that tad of vibration... everyone i have taken out have been off center in many different vehicles.. many times.... finally dawned on my... duh!?!?!? this can't be good... changed the clutches out of all of them... vib went way in all of them... hhmmmmmm....
i have a 427 gen 1 in my C3, around 650 hp..... runs as smooth as the C6ZO6 (Motor)
guess all will have to make there own decisions... BUT... if you would like one almost new, under 1K miles, my son Danny has one that was on the 383 that he will not put back into the Camero he has slated for that engine... save some money and give hime a call.. 661 444-5597
p:-)
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
After I made a few calls and poked around some more I decided on a McLeod super street pro lol. I saved 50 bucks and it comes with the tool and throwout bearing which the CF does not.
Ok, here is my take on this.... JMHO...
the vibration is not like CRAZY,,, But, it's their... I BELIEVE that many of the people that run the CF clutch that have the vibration through it off because of the ltd exhaust, of big cam or the car being 30xx years old.... whatever reason...
get in a new vette and rev the engine.. 4k.. 5k....6k.... just gets louder and higher pitched,,, same on the freeway... go faster, guts louder and higher pitch... but no vibration... none... We have a C4, 5 6 and Z.... when i ran the CF in any of my vehicles they all had that tad of vibration... everyone i have taken out have been off center in many different vehicles.. many times.... finally dawned on my... duh!?!?!? this can't be good... changed the clutches out of all of them... vib went way in all of them... hhmmmmmm....
i have a 427 gen 1 in my C3, around 650 hp..... runs as smooth as the C6ZO6 (Motor)
guess all will have to make there own decisions... BUT... if you would like one almost new, under 1K miles, my son Danny has one that was on the 383 that he will not put back into the Camero he has slated for that engine... save some money and give hime a call.. 661 444-5597
p:-)
the vibration is not like CRAZY,,, But, it's their... I BELIEVE that many of the people that run the CF clutch that have the vibration through it off because of the ltd exhaust, of big cam or the car being 30xx years old.... whatever reason...
get in a new vette and rev the engine.. 4k.. 5k....6k.... just gets louder and higher pitched,,, same on the freeway... go faster, guts louder and higher pitch... but no vibration... none... We have a C4, 5 6 and Z.... when i ran the CF in any of my vehicles they all had that tad of vibration... everyone i have taken out have been off center in many different vehicles.. many times.... finally dawned on my... duh!?!?!? this can't be good... changed the clutches out of all of them... vib went way in all of them... hhmmmmmm....
i have a 427 gen 1 in my C3, around 650 hp..... runs as smooth as the C6ZO6 (Motor)
guess all will have to make there own decisions... BUT... if you would like one almost new, under 1K miles, my son Danny has one that was on the 383 that he will not put back into the Camero he has slated for that engine... save some money and give hime a call.. 661 444-5597
p:-)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,776
Likes: 2
From: Troutman NC
That's what I put in mine, Ive had good luck with McLeod
