Clutch recommendations
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 25
From: Orlando FL
Clutch recommendations
What is the general consensus on the best dual mass setup out there right now? I'm running an aluminum flywheel single mass setup right now on my 396 ci LT4 but not that happy with its street manners.
Are there any good hybrid systems out there that offer less weight and good hookup but with the good street manners of a dual mass setup. Don't really want to go back to stock.
How about the McCleod or CenterForce units?
Are there any good hybrid systems out there that offer less weight and good hookup but with the good street manners of a dual mass setup. Don't really want to go back to stock.
How about the McCleod or CenterForce units?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 0
From: Colleyville Texas
Been thru alot of clutches the past five years with my 396. The current set up is the best. Its a SMF set up with very little noise at all. Feels and sounds like the original DMF/Grabs hard at track:
Camaro LT-1 steel flywheel: Shaved .100 (20LBS)
Mcleod Corvette LT-1 Pressure plate
Mcleod Camaro LT-1 Stage 4 disc-- Bronze pucks on both sides-
called the Aussie clutch in the C5's. One step below dual disc.
Idle set at 950 RPM's.
Camaro LT-1 steel flywheel: Shaved .100 (20LBS)
Mcleod Corvette LT-1 Pressure plate
Mcleod Camaro LT-1 Stage 4 disc-- Bronze pucks on both sides-
called the Aussie clutch in the C5's. One step below dual disc.
Idle set at 950 RPM's.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 25
From: Orlando FL
Thanks for the tip. I've heard of folks running a shaved Camaro flywheel before but wasn't sure what the best clutch/PP combo was.
Does your setup really pull smoothly at low RPM's? I want my good driveability back!
Does your setup really pull smoothly at low RPM's? I want my good driveability back!
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
I too have been looking to upgrade my clutch. But I have heard the noise from a single mass setup is unbearable (especially for a street car, which mine is).
But maybe I will try Red Rocket's setup.
Red Rocket, is the noise really bearable at idle and in neutral?
But maybe I will try Red Rocket's setup.
Red Rocket, is the noise really bearable at idle and in neutral?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 25
From: Orlando FL
I admit the noise from my single mass setup is loud, but really annoying only while in neutral with the clutch out. Sounds like a metal box with a bunch of rocks bouncing around inside it. 
But I was prepared for the noise and can deal with it. Heck, you can just keep your foot in the clutch at stoplights if it bothers ya that much.
Its the DRIVEABILITY factor that bothers me more. I don't know how much is related to the clutch setup or my aluminum flywheel, but I don't like the clutch chatter (judder) and the fact that it is impossible to get smooth takeoffs from a standing stop in traffic at low RPM. You must wind it up to about 2K and release the clutch quickly to get underway. Do you think that is due to the lower mass of the aluminum flywheel (less inertia) or the Stage 2 clutch? That's assuming there was nothing wrong with the initial install, of course.
But I was prepared for the noise and can deal with it. Heck, you can just keep your foot in the clutch at stoplights if it bothers ya that much.
Its the DRIVEABILITY factor that bothers me more. I don't know how much is related to the clutch setup or my aluminum flywheel, but I don't like the clutch chatter (judder) and the fact that it is impossible to get smooth takeoffs from a standing stop in traffic at low RPM. You must wind it up to about 2K and release the clutch quickly to get underway. Do you think that is due to the lower mass of the aluminum flywheel (less inertia) or the Stage 2 clutch? That's assuming there was nothing wrong with the initial install, of course.
Last edited by Hutch; Jun 19, 2005 at 10:32 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Toronto Ontario
Until I read your post I thought I only had to worry about noise. Now that I realize driveability is also an issue, I think I will stick with a DM setup until I can afford (sigh...) a 396 SC.
To be honest, I just do not have enough experience to of much help to you. Hopefully others will chime in. Although, it does sound like Red Rocket has tried a number of setups and likes the one he recommended above.
For what its worth, I have heard, if you got the money, the McLeod Street Twin is the best clutch on the market.
To be honest, I just do not have enough experience to of much help to you. Hopefully others will chime in. Although, it does sound like Red Rocket has tried a number of setups and likes the one he recommended above.
For what its worth, I have heard, if you got the money, the McLeod Street Twin is the best clutch on the market.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 0
From: Colleyville Texas
The car pulls away real smooth with no chatter or noise at low RPM's.
The noise is really non existent in my 396. Idle and neutal is almost like stock. Did have the whole set up balanced when I put in a new Camaro flywheel this last time. Not sure if this make a big difference. This set up is the quietest of all my previous clutches and grabs hard at the track.
The noise is really non existent in my 396. Idle and neutal is almost like stock. Did have the whole set up balanced when I put in a new Camaro flywheel this last time. Not sure if this make a big difference. This set up is the quietest of all my previous clutches and grabs hard at the track.
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,261
Likes: 85
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Originally Posted by Red Rocket
Been thru alot of clutches the past five years with my 396. The current set up is the best. Its a SMF set up with very little noise at all. Feels and sounds like the original DMF/Grabs hard at track:
Camaro LT-1 steel flywheel: Shaved .100 (20LBS)
Mcleod Corvette LT-1 Pressure plate
Mcleod Camaro LT-1 Stage 4 disc-- Bronze pucks on both sides-
called the Aussie clutch in the C5's. One step below dual disc.
Idle set at 950 RPM's.
Camaro LT-1 steel flywheel: Shaved .100 (20LBS)
Mcleod Corvette LT-1 Pressure plate
Mcleod Camaro LT-1 Stage 4 disc-- Bronze pucks on both sides-
called the Aussie clutch in the C5's. One step below dual disc.
Idle set at 950 RPM's.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,069
Likes: 25
From: Orlando FL
Red, the Camaro flywheel setup sounds interesting and a good compromise between a heavy steel flywheel and an aluminum unit. I'm beginning to think that good street driveability may be impossible with an aluminum job.
Is there anything wrong with the full the McLeod Street Twin setup (other than cost)?
Is there anything wrong with the full the McLeod Street Twin setup (other than cost)?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 0
From: Colleyville Texas
Originally Posted by STL94LT1
What happened with the stock thickness Camaro flywheel and the modified throwout bearing setup?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 0
From: Colleyville Texas
Originally Posted by Hutch
Red, the Camaro flywheel setup sounds interesting and a good compromise between a heavy steel flywheel and an aluminum unit. I'm beginning to think that good street driveability may be impossible with an aluminum job.
Is there anything wrong with the full the McLeod Street Twin setup (other than cost)?
Is there anything wrong with the full the McLeod Street Twin setup (other than cost)?
The Street Twin is a great clutch. A little pricey but alot of guys are happy with it.
Bottom line- If your car is a high horsepower/torque stroker that spends alot of time at the track, you will break something on a regular basis with this clutch.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
No Drivability issue with Fidanza flywheel and Stage 2 clutch
I replaced my dual mass with Fidanza flywheel and stage 2 clutch from Carolina clutch. I have been driving it for 8 months. The drivability and start from stop is no problem whatsoever. No higher RPM and no slipping of the clutch to get started. It is very similar to the dual mass and definitely picks up RPM quicker. The downside is the gear rattle in neutral as well as the clutch spring resonance between 1 and 2K RPM under moderate to heavy acceleration. Don't hear it in 6th though.
Last edited by 96CERon; Jun 20, 2005 at 01:38 AM. Reason: spelling
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
Originally Posted by Hutch
I admit the noise from my single mass setup is loud, but really annoying only while in neutral with the clutch out. Sounds like a metal box with a bunch of rocks bouncing around inside it.
But I was prepared for the noise and can deal with it. Heck, you can just keep your foot in the clutch at stoplights if it bothers ya that much.
Its the DRIVEABILITY factor that bothers me more. I don't know how much is related to the clutch setup or my aluminum flywheel, but I don't like the clutch chatter (judder) and the fact that it is impossible to get smooth takeoffs from a standing stop in traffic at low RPM. You must wind it up to about 2K and release the clutch quickly to get underway. Do you think that is due to the lower mass of the aluminum flywheel (less inertia) or the Stage 2 clutch? That's assuming there was nothing wrong with the initial install, of course.
But I was prepared for the noise and can deal with it. Heck, you can just keep your foot in the clutch at stoplights if it bothers ya that much.
Its the DRIVEABILITY factor that bothers me more. I don't know how much is related to the clutch setup or my aluminum flywheel, but I don't like the clutch chatter (judder) and the fact that it is impossible to get smooth takeoffs from a standing stop in traffic at low RPM. You must wind it up to about 2K and release the clutch quickly to get underway. Do you think that is due to the lower mass of the aluminum flywheel (less inertia) or the Stage 2 clutch? That's assuming there was nothing wrong with the initial install, of course.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,261
Likes: 85
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Originally Posted by Red Rocket
Started banging at the track with the clutch pedal on the floor after getting on it. Must have been a clearance issue. Lasted two months with this set up. Do not recommend this approach. Sounds good that you use the factory Camaro flywheel with no shaving but it did not work.