Clutch Recommendations
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,321
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From: Napa Valley California
Clutch Recommendations
As many of you have read, I'm rebuilding the 454 in my 73 and in the process I'll be stroking it to 496 cu in.
We are estimating around 600 ft lbs of torque and I'm replacing the TH-400 for a TKO-600 from SST and purchasing their auto to manual conversion kit.
I'll be using the car for street driving focusing on cruising and spirited driving on foothill, coastal and twisting mountain roads.
What do you recommend for clutch assemblies to handle the torque the motor will be putting out, my intended use of my car and who manufactures top quality clutch assemblies I can rely on.
Thanks.
We are estimating around 600 ft lbs of torque and I'm replacing the TH-400 for a TKO-600 from SST and purchasing their auto to manual conversion kit.
I'll be using the car for street driving focusing on cruising and spirited driving on foothill, coastal and twisting mountain roads.
What do you recommend for clutch assemblies to handle the torque the motor will be putting out, my intended use of my car and who manufactures top quality clutch assemblies I can rely on.
Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
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From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Many folks don't like them, but I'm running a Centerforce Dual Friction behind a 496. Took some effort to get all the nit picky stuff sorted with the new motor, but is seems to be working well so far. The big problem I had was a light flywheel is thinner than the stock one, which is what the ARP bolts are designed for. I had to thin the bolt heads .020 and then cut the bolts off so they couldn't get into the back of the block. Adjustable pivot ball in a Lakewood bell housing and away we go.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,349
Likes: 1,578
From: los altos hills california
I have the CenterForce dual friction Light Metal Clutch with their light weight flywheel. I like the quick revving between shifts. This is behind a LS376/515 and is holding up just fine despite some abuse. This drivetrain combination is good for not hogging torque under acceleration, although by how much I can't say. Pedal effort is unfortunately kind of high but not intolerable.
Here is an article on the value of light weight drive train components for your consideration
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/ar...paign=GRMDaily
Here is an article on the value of light weight drive train components for your consideration
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/ar...paign=GRMDaily
Last edited by ignatz; Jul 24, 2018 at 01:57 PM.
Melting Slicks
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Napa Valley California
That thread was four years ago.
I wonder if they have improved.
After reading that thread it makes me want to look at something different.
Again I'm looking for suggestions here.
Thanks again for the information so far.
I wonder if they have improved.
After reading that thread it makes me want to look at something different.
Again I'm looking for suggestions here.
Thanks again for the information so far.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,349
Likes: 1,578
From: los altos hills california
I posted in that thread and attribute my PP imbalance to not using the dowel pins to center the PP and using my old PP from my SBC. On that job I reamed out the PP mounting bolts because the new ones were metric (I think). Not smart. Saved nothing in the end. When I did everything right, everything worked fine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Maryland
St. Jude Donor '05, '09, '15
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 774
Likes: 375
From: Seattle WA
As many of you have read, I'm rebuilding the 454 in my 73 and in the process I'll be stroking it to 496 cu in.
We are estimating around 600 ft lbs of torque and I'm replacing the TH-400 for a TKO-600 from SST and purchasing their auto to manual conversion kit.
I'll be using the car for street driving focusing on cruising and spirited driving on foothill, coastal and twisting mountain roads.
What do you recommend for clutch assemblies to handle the torque the motor will be putting out, my intended use of my car and who manufactures top quality clutch assemblies I can rely on.
Thanks.
We are estimating around 600 ft lbs of torque and I'm replacing the TH-400 for a TKO-600 from SST and purchasing their auto to manual conversion kit.
I'll be using the car for street driving focusing on cruising and spirited driving on foothill, coastal and twisting mountain roads.
What do you recommend for clutch assemblies to handle the torque the motor will be putting out, my intended use of my car and who manufactures top quality clutch assemblies I can rely on.
Thanks.
I went with the TKO600 and the Perfectfit kit from Silver Sport. So easy to install (I had the new engine out of the car and installed both together).
I have it behind a 496 and it works great. I went with SSTs recommendation of the dual disc McLeod clutch. To make it manageable I replaced the mechanical clutch pedal with the Wilwood hydraulic clutch pedal/MC recommended by SST as well. It all works great together. .
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Napa Valley California
Update:
So far it looks like I'm going to order the Mcleod, Street Extreme clutch kit, part number: 75321 @ $350.00
The dual disk RST part number: 6911-07 is a step up but is more than my budget can handle @ $752.00.
Mcleod also recommended their 24 pound steel flywheel, part number 460122, to match up with my 496 and the 75321 clutch kit @ $282.00.
Summit Racing pricing.
So far it looks like I'm going to order the Mcleod, Street Extreme clutch kit, part number: 75321 @ $350.00
The dual disk RST part number: 6911-07 is a step up but is more than my budget can handle @ $752.00.
Mcleod also recommended their 24 pound steel flywheel, part number 460122, to match up with my 496 and the 75321 clutch kit @ $282.00.
Summit Racing pricing.
Last edited by OldCarBum; Aug 2, 2018 at 02:10 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 774
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From: Seattle WA
Update:
So far it looks like I'm going to order the Mcleod, Street Extreme clutch kit, part number: 75321 @ $350.00
The dual disk RST part number: 6911-07 is a step up but is more than my budget can handle @ $752.00.
Mcleod also recommended their 24 pound steel flywheel, part number 460122, to match up with my 496 and the 75321 clutch kit @ $282.00.
Summit Racing pricing.
So far it looks like I'm going to order the Mcleod, Street Extreme clutch kit, part number: 75321 @ $350.00
The dual disk RST part number: 6911-07 is a step up but is more than my budget can handle @ $752.00.
Mcleod also recommended their 24 pound steel flywheel, part number 460122, to match up with my 496 and the 75321 clutch kit @ $282.00.
Summit Racing pricing.
I mean you're not going to be launching this over and over at the drag strip, but that is a lot of power.
Yeah they are expensive, true. The dual disc works really well with my 496 though.
Good choice on the flywheel. I wouldn't go too light.
Last edited by scottjamison; Aug 2, 2018 at 02:21 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
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From: Napa Valley California
Did they say if they thought the single disc could handle the torque ok?
I mean you're not going to be launching this over and over at the drag strip, but that is a lot of power.
Yeah they are expensive, true. The dual disc works really well with my 496 though.
Good choice on the flywheel. I wouldn't go too light.
I mean you're not going to be launching this over and over at the drag strip, but that is a lot of power.
Yeah they are expensive, true. The dual disc works really well with my 496 though.
Good choice on the flywheel. I wouldn't go too light.
Their biggest concern was shifting rpm, but since I won't be shifting at 7000+ rpm I would be fine.
Mcleod also liked the 24 pound flywheel over the 30 pound one they sell.
They said that the 24 pound works better in the lighter cars like a Corvette but they would go with the 30 pound flywheel in anything heavier like a Chevelle.
As with many things I might just save the extra $$$ and go with the upgraded dual disk.
Last edited by OldCarBum; Aug 2, 2018 at 03:05 PM.
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I used a Centerforce 11" DF behind my 427 and later my 540 for years. It handled 700+ HP and slicks with no issues. The 800 HP level was a little too much for it.
I gave it to a buddy who's been running it behind his 525HP 388" for many years,. He shifts it at 7000+ regularly. And I DO mean regularly!!
The McLeod is a good choice I think too. Dual discs can be great..I've used them too...but they can be funky with getting the center floater plate to release properly and not drag. Can be very picky about adjustment.
The McLeod dual discs work well..RXT/RST. Just decide which disc material to use.
As with any manual...ensuring the linkage is in good shape and no flex is critical. Ck under the dash also to make sure.
JIM
I gave it to a buddy who's been running it behind his 525HP 388" for many years,. He shifts it at 7000+ regularly. And I DO mean regularly!!
The McLeod is a good choice I think too. Dual discs can be great..I've used them too...but they can be funky with getting the center floater plate to release properly and not drag. Can be very picky about adjustment.
The McLeod dual discs work well..RXT/RST. Just decide which disc material to use.
As with any manual...ensuring the linkage is in good shape and no flex is critical. Ck under the dash also to make sure.
JIM
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 774
Likes: 375
From: Seattle WA
I used a Centerforce 11" DF behind my 427 and later my 540 for years. It handled 700+ HP and slicks with no issues. The 800 HP level was a little too much for it.
I gave it to a buddy who's been running it behind his 525HP 388" for many years,. He shifts it at 7000+ regularly. And I DO mean regularly!!
The McLeod is a good choice I think too. Dual discs can be great..I've used them too...but they can be funky with getting the center floater plate to release properly and not drag. Can be very picky about adjustment.
The McLeod dual discs work well..RXT/RST. Just decide which disc material to use.
As with any manual...ensuring the linkage is in good shape and no flex is critical. Ck under the dash also to make sure.
JIM
I gave it to a buddy who's been running it behind his 525HP 388" for many years,. He shifts it at 7000+ regularly. And I DO mean regularly!!
The McLeod is a good choice I think too. Dual discs can be great..I've used them too...but they can be funky with getting the center floater plate to release properly and not drag. Can be very picky about adjustment.
The McLeod dual discs work well..RXT/RST. Just decide which disc material to use.
As with any manual...ensuring the linkage is in good shape and no flex is critical. Ck under the dash also to make sure.
JIM
