I'm in the process of doing a clutch replacement and I'm hoping to get some advice. I really don't care so much about performance since I'm running a mostly stock 72 with a 350 that might be getting 300 hp at the most. I'm concerned about drive-ability and don't want clutch chatter or a stiff pedal. The pressure plate I'm replacing is a Hays diaphragm style. The pedal pressure to engage the clutch was not very heavy, but I would prefer it to be a little bit lighter. I was considering going the hydraulic route, but after researching it, I think it is too much work just to have a lighter pedal. It sounds especially hard to attach the master cylinder rod to the clutch pedal, from looking at my car, it looks like the whole dash needs to be disassembled (and possibly removal of the steering column) to access the rod to the pedal connection. I was considering using the Centerforce I clutch disk set, as it supposedly has a significantly lighter pedal while still providing good holding power, but most reviews I have read are not good and say they are prone to failure. I'm also considering a Zoom clutch disk set, which is considered equivalent to the stock equipment and pedal pressure. Anyone else here been in a similar situation? Thanks

 

I cannot compare oem as mine was not original..but my choice i was happy with and less pedal than what is replaced…

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...se-79-l82.html

 

I replaced mine with a RAM clutch I purchased from Summit. it has very good reviews. price point was good and pedal is much lighter than stock. I've had it in for about 2 years now. works great.

 

Thanks 4-vettes for the feedback. I just checked out the RAM stock clutch on the Summit site, good reviews and 2 of the 5 specifically say that the pedal is actually lighter than the OEM. I'm definitely considering this one, cheers!

 

Thanks for the link to your thread interpon! I definitely prefer made in the USA, so Im gonna look into the Mcleod street pro. One person on your thread said it has a slightly lighter pedal than stock too, so it checks that box!

 

LUK is the right clutch set for you in my opinion. The quality is 100% there and you can't beat the price. I would not use the pilot bushing in the kit as it will probably be magnetic but the rest is perfect for your application. Rock Auto sells them as do many others.

 

LUK stocker as said or a Centerforce 1 they live up to their claims.

 

McLeod is a diaphram style and offers a great light pedal. THey fit right and work great. Lrs DId a right up on clutches a while back and throw out bearings. The best thing about McLeod is that you can upgrade the clutch just by changing the disc.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...vel-range.html

 

SPEC - search for them.

 

Thanks for the input everyone! I found the link that Rescue Rogers provided to be very informative. Until I read that entire thread, I really wasn't so much considering disengagement, but as it is so critical, I certainly should be. Its seems that my Hays would occasionally grind when putting it in reverse and also seemed like it could shift into 1st a little smoother. After reading that thread and seeing the test results, I'm leaning towards the Mcleod Street Pro, although it is suspected to require a slightly higher pedal pressure (~10%), it would probably be worth it to insure no disengagement issues. I don't remember how the pedal pressure with the stock clutch compared to the Hays I replaced it with, but if the pedal pressure of the Mcleod is equal to or less than the Hays, that would be acceptable if there was no chatter or disengagement issues. Its too bad that the pressure and release specs aren't readily available without having to do the testing yourself or find others who have done it.

 

McLeod Super Street Pro here. I chose the McLeod after finding the lars thread when my OE clutch started slipping after 90,000 miles and looking for a replacement in 2019. Relatively light pedal pressure and shifts as smooth as warm butter. I know it costs a little more when compared to some other brands but, with lars documentation of the McLeod, and it being A LARGE PITA job to replace, that pretty much made up my mind to buy the McLeod. Why take a chance, IMHO.

 

Thanks sunflower. Your not kidding its a PITA job! Crazy you have to pull the whole motor out of a C3 vette to replace the clutch! I'm not concerned about the cost, just want to choose the clutch kit that most closely fits my needs; good disengagement, light pedal pressure, no chatter. I'm not worried about longevity, since I rarely drive this car, so will likely go organic. I really liked the writeup that lars did on the McLeod. When I look at the Summit description of the different clutch kits Mcleod offers, I noticed that;
super street pro -> heavier pedal effort, up to 500 hp, organic/ceramic
street pro -> slightly heavier pedal effort, up to 500 hp, organic
street level -> no reference to pedal effort or hp, organic, entry level street

I assume the street level has the lightest pedal effort of the 3 and can easily handle my whopping 300 hp. I assume/hope that the results of Lars travel vs disengagement testing would apply to this one as well. I think I will try to reach customer support and inquire about the disengagement specs, since it appears that these are specifications that have been documented by McLeod.

Sometimes I wish I was not so indecisive.....

 

You can buy the lightest duty clutch set for a stock base engine and cruising.

Mcleod only has 1 pressure plate they use in the whole line so all of them have the same pedal effort.

 

Thanks for the feedback stingr69. That is counterintuitive to me, I figured more holding power required more pressure plate power, which would require more foot pressure to disengage. Summit specifically comments on the pedal effort for the different McLeod clutch kits. I've submitted a few questions to McLeod tech service and will follow up on this thread with what I find out. Cheers!

 

I called them and asked the same thing as I had 3 different clutches and I couldnt find the part number on the pressure plate. THats when they told me its the disc that creates the friction and the horsepower potential......Saved me some money eventually and I I have extra clutches now

 

One more thing - Mcleod will tell you that you need to have the clutch pressure plate balanced locally. They do not come pre balanced.

Didn't need to take much off this one. Just one little divot.

 

never heard that one....Ive never balanced one and Ive been chasing a vibration and the engineer never said it had to be balanced by me. I'll have to ask next time we talk.

 

Wow! Good to know, I wouldn't have guessed.Thanks. I'm gonna hit them up with that question too.

 

Not that I don't believe you, just to keep the technical service reps on their toes

 

Page 3 of the instructions has info on balancing the assembly. They will do it in-house, on request.