Clutches....opinions ?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,988
Likes: 16
From: Hooterville, NJ
Clutches....opinions ?
Well, everyone was telling me with the new H/C package that my clutch wouldn't last long.......well at the Corvette Challenge at Englishtown it lasted for one run. The second run to set up my dial was when it went.....slip sliding away. I figured it was going to go but not as soon as it did. I can still drive the car but forget heavy duty acceleration. Any opinions on clutches........I know that everone has they're favorite, so any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,347
Likes: 857
From: MI
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Re: Clutches....opinions ? (Tsab)
Something to consider.....
When making power, there is a weak link in the drivetrain, in our case the clutch.
If you bullet proof the clutch, the next weak link will now be active, such as the trans case or diff input/output shaft.
I chose to burn up the clutch, much cheaper to replace if you DIY.
When making power, there is a weak link in the drivetrain, in our case the clutch.
If you bullet proof the clutch, the next weak link will now be active, such as the trans case or diff input/output shaft.
I chose to burn up the clutch, much cheaper to replace if you DIY.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,988
Likes: 16
From: Hooterville, NJ
Re: Clutches....opinions ? (69)
True True, and the "fuse" in my drive train is basically gone. However, there has got to be something thats more durable than stock yet not totally indistructable so you won't blow drive train components.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
Re: Clutches....opinions ? (mcd_57)
Depends on how much of a daily driver it is and how 'driveable' you want to keep it. The SPEC III will definitely hold the power but you'll likely get chatter from a dead stop at lights and stop signs. I JUST put a RAM in and while I only have a few miles on it it seems alright but I can't recommend a RAM due to some manufacturing and/or shipping (the jury is still out) defects.
I would go SPEC III if you don't mind the chatter and SPEC II if you want to keep it real driveable. The SPEC II is rated @ 525 foot #'s I believe.
There is also the McLeod twin disk which has plenty of capacity, not a bad pedal feel and intermediate price tag.
Of course the end-all-be-all of clutches is the Exedy twin disk but it comes at a price (~$1800) but I have yet to head a complaint about it, ever.
I would go SPEC III if you don't mind the chatter and SPEC II if you want to keep it real driveable. The SPEC II is rated @ 525 foot #'s I believe.
There is also the McLeod twin disk which has plenty of capacity, not a bad pedal feel and intermediate price tag.
Of course the end-all-be-all of clutches is the Exedy twin disk but it comes at a price (~$1800) but I have yet to head a complaint about it, ever.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,045
Likes: 3
From: Bridgewater Ma
Re: Clutches....opinions ? (5 Liter Eater)
I prefer SPEC 3I's .Good for around 800hp,stock peddle pressure ect.You do need to learn how to drive again since they are very grabby from a light but not bad and easy to get use to.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 5
From: Fredericksburg VA
Re: Clutches....opinions ? (Tsab)
We're estimating my new motor package will make about 390-410 rear WHP and about the same torque... And we went with the factory Z06 clutch setup.
A: They are cheap!
B: They hold up well for daily driver/ track days
C: OFF the shelf OEM parts, just in case...
D: Did I mention they are cheap?
Mike
A: They are cheap!
B: They hold up well for daily driver/ track days
C: OFF the shelf OEM parts, just in case...
D: Did I mention they are cheap?
Mike
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 2
From: Cape Coral FL
Re: Clutches....opinions ? (Tsab)
Put in a LUK Stage 2 Gold package. It comes with a Fidanza aluminum flywheel, feels smoother than stock, and Mallet uses them on cars with up to 600 crank hp. We just put one in a budys 2000FRC and it is sweet. I have a SPEC Stage 3 and am about to pull it out and put one of these in.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Kitchener On
Re: Clutches....opinions ? (ArKay99)
I am shopping for a new clutch and light flywheel. I'm surprised by your comments about your Spec 3. Most owners on the forum speak highly of their Spec 3's. Why would you switch? Also, where would you recommend the Luk assembly from? Eckler's or ? Thanks for the help.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,354
Likes: 4
From: Edmond OK
Re: Clutches....opinions ? (ArKay99)
I really like my Spec III. The chatter has gotten a lot better in 3,000miles. I thought I was going to shoot myself when I first got it, but now I'm completely happy w/it! It's seen over 15 passes at the track w/ 4000rpm launches as well as all-out burnouts. It's the best bang for the buck for sure. However, depending on how long this one lasts, I may end up w/the exedy twin disk. We'll see how this one holds w/my upcoming H/C w/N20 setup
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 778
Likes: 11
From: EDH Ca
Re: Clutches....opinions ? (Tsab)
Take it from a guy that has been though III clutches this year. Get the LUK!!! This is the ideal clutch for your horse power level. You wont have a single regret. End of story.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
Re: Clutches....opinions ? (mdhmi)
Picking clutches now a days seems like a roll of the dice. I have heard mostly bad things about the SPEC III's, mostly chatter issues. I hadn't heard much bad about RAM and I decided to go with them (402/980) and regret it. The Z06 is a good clutch provided you're not making more than ~425 crank HP.
If I had it to do over again I would probably do a SPEC Stage II.
If I had it to do over again I would probably do a SPEC Stage II.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
Re: Clutches....opinions ? (5 Liter Eater)
I have the Spec III, and agree, it was frightening at first (chatter), and I was very careful on the break in. Now after 3000 miles, and a few more ponies, it is like driving a stock clutch to me, and still holds great. I think it is a combination of it breaking in more and me learning how to drive it. I can drive it in traffic with virtually no chatter, so I call it a success. In any event, be careful about having the new flywheel balanced to you old one. My car was one of those "few" that GM balanced after final assembly. The best advice I have seen is to match your new flywheel to your stock assembly to be certain you won't have the vibration issues (like I did).
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,988
Likes: 16
From: Hooterville, NJ
Re: Clutches....opinions ? (DrBro)
Well, thanks for all the responses guys. Hmmm now I'll just have to take a shot and go with something. I'm thinking may be a LUK or Exidity. But now, who knows.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,333
Likes: 1
From: Central NJ/PA
Re: Clutches....opinions ? (Tsab)
I love my CARTEK clutch. Its holding beatifully on my 5k rpm luanches and doesnt chatter or make me feel like my leg is going to fall off after driving in traffic.