performance clutch for 550+ hp
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,871
Likes: 15
From: Detroit's West Side MI
Caroline clutch stage 3.
Been racing one in a 500 hp car for 6 years with no issues.
http://www.carolinaclutch.com/Conten...te-lt.htm.aspx
04-113 Stage 3 heavy duty stage 3, 6 puck sprung hub clutch kit. This kit is ideal for street and track use in cars rated to 575rwhp. This kit must be used with a solid flywheel part # 198501s (Billet Steel Flywheel) or 198501 (Aluminum Flywheel).
Been racing one in a 500 hp car for 6 years with no issues.
http://www.carolinaclutch.com/Conten...te-lt.htm.aspx
04-113 Stage 3 heavy duty stage 3, 6 puck sprung hub clutch kit. This kit is ideal for street and track use in cars rated to 575rwhp. This kit must be used with a solid flywheel part # 198501s (Billet Steel Flywheel) or 198501 (Aluminum Flywheel).
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Midwest
I used the McCleod dual disc in our 600+ HP 427 for several years. Really liked it because it was very compliant on engagement to prevent wheel spin, important on autocross starts, and stock like pedal pressure for my wife when she raced it.
Don't let the picture of our 67 427 confuse you, the clutch was used in a racing only C4.
Don't let the picture of our 67 427 confuse you, the clutch was used in a racing only C4.
Last edited by dynocar; Aug 30, 2011 at 12:08 PM. Reason: Prevent confusion.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 2
From: Winchester Virginia
I vote for the Spec Stage 2+ for your HP numbers stated above in a DD. The Stage has to do with the Torque, not HP seen at or near the Clutch.
Max Torque/Stage
Stage 1 505
Stage 2 600
Stage 2+ 665
Stage 3 762
Stage 3+ 845
Stage 4 762
Stage 5 1008
I went with a Stage 2+ on my 550chp motor because it was a more DD Friendly clutch than the Stage 3 and I have ZERO Complaints, other than you need to make sure that you have the clutch assembly Balance checked. Do NOT Assume that the Spec clutch will be Balanced properly from Spec, get it verified locally.
R/Noland
Max Torque/Stage
Stage 1 505
Stage 2 600
Stage 2+ 665
Stage 3 762
Stage 3+ 845
Stage 4 762
Stage 5 1008
I went with a Stage 2+ on my 550chp motor because it was a more DD Friendly clutch than the Stage 3 and I have ZERO Complaints, other than you need to make sure that you have the clutch assembly Balance checked. Do NOT Assume that the Spec clutch will be Balanced properly from Spec, get it verified locally.
R/Noland
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
the car is an 85 vette, 400cid, dart heads block, tpis mini tpis ZZX cam richmond 6sp 153 tooth flywheel (want to keep for header/starter clearance, 3:73 44 out back 275/17 tires. Will be putting on a quicktime RM-6021 scattershield and putting yet another rear bushing in the trans, thanks for the input guys
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
From: Midwest
Sorry. This is a gutted race car, starting with an 84 Vette frame. The drivetrain is 89-96 vintage type with a ZF transmission so my previous post can apply to the original posters question. Raced it for many years at many SCCA and NCCC events in several midwest states from TX to MN. Sold it to a friend in our Corvette club.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 2
From: Spartanburg South Carolina
This was told to me just recently and it's very true, "Keep in mind, McLeod will expose the weak link in your combo." Which is that dana 44.
I'm running same HP as you and i chose to go with a full faced Spec stage 3+ semi metalic kit. Haven't driven the car yet but i expect it to preform very well.
I'm running same HP as you and i chose to go with a full faced Spec stage 3+ semi metalic kit. Haven't driven the car yet but i expect it to preform very well.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 810
Likes: 58
From: Alva Florida
I've got a 2pc rear main seal seal spec flywheel, and the stage 3 clutch, pressure plate and throwout bearing from a project a couple of years ago (421 550hp stroker ~similar to yours). I went with the automatic, but never parted with the package from carolina clutch. I might sell it if you are interested. This is a pull (factory) type setup.
Good luck
Good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 2
From: Spartanburg South Carolina
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,871
Likes: 15
From: Detroit's West Side MI
You'll be fine for what you mentioned in your OP, but drag racing is different. Much harder on the drivetrain. Auto-x and RR are harder on everything else, not so bad on the trans/diff.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,676
Likes: 751
From: NEwhere Ohio
This was told to me just recently and it's very true, "Keep in mind, McLeod will expose the weak link in your combo." Which is that dana 44.
I'm running same HP as you and i chose to go with a full faced Spec stage 3+ semi metalic kit. Haven't driven the car yet but i expect it to preform very well.
I'm running same HP as you and i chose to go with a full faced Spec stage 3+ semi metalic kit. Haven't driven the car yet but i expect it to preform very well.
My spec stage 3 + is holding up fine behind 500 rwhp/ 475 rwTQ supercharged car.
My spec stage 2 blew up on me after 11k miles causing a highway tow-home.
Ive heard spec stage 3 ive heard is not-as-streetable as stage 3+ due to its puck vs. disk design of the the stage 2 and stage 3+. Though thats hearsay.
You definitely want a sprung hub type clutch to reduce gear noise and id go with the lightweight aluminum fidanza flywheel for reduced rotational intertia / faster acceleration vs. heavy flywheels.
Other than a slight rattle at WOT or if you lug it up a hill in too-high-of-a-gear, noise is not an issue due to the sprung hub clutch.
Mcleod is great, but ive heard its brutal on c4 drivetrain components (dont think its sprung hub)....
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,856
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
I have the street version of the McCleod in mine (supercharged 383 LT1)
I'm finding it totally driveable
stop & go traffic isn't an issue.
Just breaking it in so I can tune the car on the dyno
I'm finding it totally driveable
stop & go traffic isn't an issue.
Just breaking it in so I can tune the car on the dyno
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,676
Likes: 751
From: NEwhere Ohio
does your mcleod have springs of any sort? or are you running this with the dual mass stock flywheel?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 30,856
Likes: 293
From: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, SoCal, back to Boston MA
Can't use the stock flywheel, with the second disk there wasn't enough room.
So far I'm not getting the dredded single mass noise.
I think because of the weight of the 2nd disk.
Then again the car's a lot louder than it was before
So far I'm not getting the dredded single mass noise.
I think because of the weight of the 2nd disk.
Then again the car's a lot louder than it was before
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,918
Likes: 50
From: Angier nc
I have the spec 2+ in my 441rwhp 383 lt4.1k street miles and no track use.I miss the smoothness of the dual mass flywheel but once you get used to it driveability is fine.Probably make it to the track this fall.
Need to soften the hit somewhat or the rear axles will not be home for dinner.
Need to soften the hit somewhat or the rear axles will not be home for dinner.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,525
Likes: 2
From: Houston TX
The McLeod will have the "rocks in a can" sound especially if you run a black tag ZF. But it will hold up to high HP and keep coming back for more.
