Choosing a new clutch
 

Its time to choose a clutch for the '79 TA with stroker 400, now 467 ci. All stock drivetrain, no racing or sticky tires, but also don't want any slipping clutch. Needs to be easy on the leg due high number of traffic lights in the area.

Flywheel is pre '76, 2.760" register, balance checked, new ring gear, low mileage, never been faced, so I would really like to use it. It takes a 10.5" disk, with 1.125" x 26 spline.

Hayes, Mcleod, Zoom, who has what and what do you like or dislike about it?

Joe Hand

I have a similar set up in a '78 TA. I recently changed from a Spec 3+ (carbon semi metallic) to a Spec 1 (organic). I autocross about once a month, otherwise I don't beat on it too hard. The Spec +3 turned out to be overkill for me, and it was pretty hard on the flywheel. I have one autocross event on the organic, and it didn't slip. It's also a little easier to operate in normal driving. Both are pretty easy on the leg with no hydraulics. I had a Hayes organic on the previous, milder 455. It was fine for my driving style as well.

Some on the forum like LUK, which seems to be a OEM replacement and reasonably priced.

Hope this helps some.

LUK 11" with matching parts and a Lakewood and aluminum flywheel.

Works fine, disc was glass beaded after parts break-in. Works with No Chatter.

Tom V.

I have McCloud in 3 of my cars,all 10.5.Tom

Thanks for the information, Dad and I never had four speeds, so clutches are kind of unknown to us. I figured a step up from stock would compensate for 1/2" smaller diameter and the extra torque of bigger cubic inches.

Joe

LUK are nice quality and easy on the leg. Have installed many in customer cars. The McCleod in my '65 has been in place since 1984 and is still perfect. And very hard on my left leg. I have a Zoom street/strip in my '61 Corvette behind a 389 stroker and it's light effort and works flawlessly. Got it from Rock Auto for half the price Summit wanted for it.

happy with a ram organic behind my 505..

I just installed a "Ram" setup in my 65 GTO. It is flawless so far. Pedal feels stockish. I like it. Had a Hayes in it before for 15 years, never had a problem with that one also, but pedal was a little harder, but not much.
Went with Ram because I got a good deal on everything including flywheel.

LUK makes a great OE replacement 11" clutch, it works well in any street driven vehicle with just street tires. Easy pedal. Just be sure that the kit contains the correct length throwout bearing for the Pontiac. The last LUK kit we bought did, but some of the other kits out there come with the "short" length bearing that is used behind Chevrolet engines, so you have to watch out for that. We purchase the 11" LUK kits from RockAuto, very reasonable for a nice street clutch setup.

I have had good luck with zoom in the past. My car now has whatever brand American Powertrain rebrands and it’s perfect

Definitely we aware of this ^.

I've got a sachs but i've had no problems with the Duralast or whatever from Autozone in the past.

Since the flywheel is in good shape and fits the Eagle crank, we are going with a 10.5" disk, no need for a new flywheel. I will look closer at the Ram clutches or the Summit Racing brand clutch.

Ram clutch

I've been very happy With Centerforce dual friction. Been running one since the mid 80's