428 clutch needed-Recommendations?
 

I've got a '68 428-4 in my '68 GTO. It's hooked up to a M-20 Muncie. My clutch just won't hold the torgue anymore. It's close to 450 HP with the work that's been done. I won't be building it up anymore. I don't mind spending more to get the best. The car is used around town, but I like to get on it when I'm driving.

http://i56.tinypic.com/b8l2tf.jpg

I love my Hay's 11 inch clutch. From Summit.

I had good luck with Centerforce.

Tom

I personally use, recommend and have had no problems with Ram heavy duty clutch sets in most street/strip type applications. They are in the $400 plus price tag range are rated up to 650 horsepower and have withstood the abuse of many of my more "aggressive" type customers. These are a "Performance" street/strip type clutch system and they may/can "chatter" on engagement.

For customers that might find the heavy duty style clutch kit "to aggressive" for a street type application Ram offers a "powergrip" performance clutch kit that is rated to 550 horsepower and has a "smoother" type engagement. These kits are in the $300-$400 price range and are what i call a "cruiser" type clutch set up and are for people looking for a "stock type" pedal engagement feel without the aggressiveness and/or chatter that can/may occur with the more aggressive type clutch set ups.

If you're looking to go "for the best" Ram makes a street/strip dual clutch system that's rated for 1000 plus horsepower. Plan on paying $1200 plus for this type of system but i have one behind a friends/customers 800 plus horsepower blown BBC that is street driven that more than stands up to his "aggressive" style of driving.

Any one of the aftermarket clutch manufacturers kits should be able to "hold up" behind 450 horsepower with ease as long as the proper "kit" is chosen to do the job. Most stock/replacement type clutch kits are not meant for a performance/aggressive type driving applications.

HTH

I was looking at the Ram Powergrip. It seems like it would be fine in my application versus going to the HD or dual.

I also checked out the Hays as a prior poster mentioned. The Hays 85-110 looks like it would be fine along with the Hays 13-130 flex plate.

If you're not "brand" oriented......

Again.....

Any one of the aftermarket clutch manufacturers kits should be able to "hold up" behind 450 horsepower with ease as long as the proper "kit" is chosen to do the job. Most stock/replacement type clutch kits are not meant for a performance/aggressive type driving applications.

If you're looking to "drive it like you stole it" from the time you start the car until the time you put it back in the garage every time you take it out then i would say go with the HD set up as it will take the abuse and then some and would be willing to "give up something" if it was "a little rough" on engagement.

If you're looking to "drive like a human being" and every once in a while "dust off the cob webs"......then i would say the power grip set up would be the way to go. If the "rough engagement" that can/may occur is something that you think you may not like then stick with the power grip set up and call it a day as it should hold up fine behind 450 horsepower.

"Clutch Wear" is a odd subject as you can have 2 guys with the exact same vehicle/set up and one will wear a clutch out in 50,000 miles and the other will have 100,000 plus miles and still be going strong......:2cents:

Edit: Man, I type slow. Three new replies while I was typing. Oh well...

Brands are nice to mention, but Texasoldgoat would probably be interested in what model we ended up purchasing. Whether we went with the standard lining or upgraded to some very modern trick lining. I've learned that sometimes the heaviest duty isn't all the great for street use. I ran the original style McLeod dual disc setup that is advertised to hold 1,500 foot pounds. I'm sure it would, but in normal driving it had a tendency to be either engaged or disengaged. It is definitely bullet proof, but really a pain in stop and go driving on the street.

I purchased a McLeod Super Street Pro 75224 clutch assembly through Summit to replace the dual disc, but haven't installed it - so can't comment on how it will work out. On paper it sounds like it will be a good compromise for hot rodding around on the street. All of the major brands offer similar products, and it probably doesn't matter much which one you choose. Here's the link to the McLeod clutch packages: McLeod

Only thing I would stay away from is the rebuilt units from the auto parts store. I've seen too many of them come apart in easy driving.

the last 4 cars I put together I used a Mcleod 3 finger B&B clutch and cant be happier.The other thing I do is watch on ebay for GM disks in the old yellow and black GM boxes.Made of asbestus and they never chatter like the modern material on the street.FWIW,Tom

I thought i had made my point clear of the different "type" set ups and what maybe considered a downside to their street use from the two previous posts i made. Clutches are a "personal preference" type deal and some are willing to "give a little" for having the added benefits of a HD type set up on the street while others find it a royal PITA.

As i previously stated if you find yourself "concerned" with the "rough engagement" then i would option out what Ram calls a "power grip" clutch kit that has a "smoother" engagement. The "race style" clutches for 1000 plus horsepower i would agree and describe them more or less the same way, or almost like a light switch as you said they are either engaged or disengaged and their is NO in between. The "race style" clutch set ups i personally have driven on the street and i can say that MOST people won't like that deal at all and should be left for the "hardcore" enthusiast to say the least.

I left the choice/decision up to him really, as i feel it should be since i would "assume" he will be doing it himself and it sucks having to doing things twice especially when you're already unhappy about the situation/results to begin with.

Superchief455, sorry 'bout that. I did go back and add the beginning edit, but I should have reworded the next paragraph. Just got lazy.

Join the club on the lazy part.....lol

i could "look up" specific part numbers but have all that information at my shop and i'm to damn lazy to goto Rams or anyone elses website...lol

No offense ment or i hope taken as i didnt take it to heart either....we're all just trying to help/post personal experiences etc...etc...etc...

I've had an HD McCLeod in my '65 since 1983.....it's still in there, and still going strong. About 50k on it. Pedal effort is high compared to an LUK or hydraulic, but the thing has been bulletproof. This is a street driven only car...but I was hard on it in the early-mid-'80's when I was a young whippersnapper. No chatter, very smooth engagement. Stay away from clutches that chatter...it gets really old really quick, and your car will fel like a roach.

chattering clutches
 

a new thing you hear about is "dual friction clutch disks", this means they put 2 different type linings on disk ,one side gets organic and other side gets semi metalic, this leads to chattering.better brands dont use these type.mustang 5.0 guys like SPEC,or the new ram hdx, centerforce preasure plates are coming apart on some guys 5.0's, maybee too many rpm's.only 3 companys make PP's anymore, luk, valeo,sach.

No problems with my Centerforce DF, that includes chatter. I broke my shifter in 5th gear and had to drive it home and theclutch is still in the car. I thought it would be destroyed with the 5th gear take off, but it wasn't. Ratio is 1 to 1 in 5th with a 2:56 gear out back.

I also have had no problems with my Centerforce DF that has been in the car since the1990's

I like my Ram Power Grip, three years and no issues. I would not hessitate to re-install another Ram clutch. Car is 67 GTO. I purchased mine through S-K Speed out of NY (Brian Higgins).

Tim john---

I had good luck with both the McLeod and the Centerforce DF diaphragm clutches. That was on a nitrous fed 428.

CenterForce II has been in my street/strip 1968 GTO for 6 years - with no issues. I'd buy it again.

FYI - With any clutch, break in process is critical to clutch performance and life. Many people (me in the old days :) would put a clutch in and "go test" it HARD! Not good! Make sure to follow the directions and you should be fine.

Oh, and re-surface your flywheel too.

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Mine was also a Centerforce II.

Another Centerforce dual-friction clutch user here.

It's been in my '71, behind my round-port 462 since '04, and no issues, what-so-ever...

Thanks for all the help guys. I ended up buying the Ram HD with the Hays steel fly wheel. I guess I'll be able to up the HP now.

I have a RAM Powergrip in my car and really don't care for it. It chatters when it gets hot making going up the driveway a pain. If i do it again, it will either be a mcleod or a clutch from someone like American powertrain.

Agree, at first I thought I liked my prowergrip... not so much any more. Next time apart, I am putting back in my CF or a new mcleod.

I had a RAM HDX in the car and I really liked that. It is good for about 450 RWHP and I wasn't sure if it would hold, so i decided to upgrade.