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#1
11-07-2005, 05:05 PM
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Which Clutch Will Survive?
Is there a clutch suitable for running on the street that will survive more than three dozen trips down the local quarter mile track with really good traction?
After watching another friend's clutch begin slipping this weekend, I am just curious regarding what clutch has excellent longevity under harsh conditions on the street and at the track . . . Is there such an animal?
__________________
Badder than old King Kong And meaner than a junkyard dog -Jim Croce |
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#2
11-07-2005, 05:13 PM
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A lot of the guys running sticks around here are running Spec clutches: http://www.specclutch.com/specMain.php
I'ev got no real experience with them myself. I guess the stage 3 is pretty hot, but maybe a bit much for some people on the street. I know of at least three guys driving them more or less daily on the street. Personally, I've got a dual friction clutch, and I'm not sure about it. I've had it for quite some time now, and I think it's starting to go on me. I think they are good clutches up to a certain point, but if your going pretty quick, I don't think I'd recommend one. |
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#3
11-07-2005, 05:44 PM
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McLeod Street Twin. I just installed this setup on my 69 firebird along w/ a new TKO 600. They are supposed to be good up to 800+ hp. I haven't got it on the road yet but the clutch assy. installed easy and the feel is not too heavy.
They're pricey, ~$1000 at summit for the alum flywheel. The steel version is somewhat less. |
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#4
11-07-2005, 05:54 PM
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Quote:
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#5
11-07-2005, 07:15 PM
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They're expensive but not too much more than other high performance single disk setups. A quick look at clutch assys at summit:
Center force DF ~ $260 + steel flywheel ~$260 = ~$520. The McLeod twin disc (steel flywheel) is $860. "Only" $340 more for a much better clutch. An alum flywheel (Centerforce or Hays) is $400 - $600 ($660 - $860 total). The McLeod twin disc (alum flywheel) is $975 and still not that much more. |
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#6
11-07-2005, 07:18 PM
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Thats true I suppose, I never really sat down and looked at. For a high performance setup, it's really not that much more for something that will do the job no questions.
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#7
11-07-2005, 08:10 PM
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I was honestly impressed with the CF Dual Friction that was pulled from my car. It was a 10.5" clutch that had oil leaked all over it. The rear main was leaking and the clutch held. I probably used this same clutch for about 2 years on the street and strip - no idea how many passed it's got on it, a bunch. I was surprised at how well it held up even with oil spraying all over.
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#8
11-07-2005, 08:40 PM
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cf df here probably a 100 passes in the 12 to mid 11 sec range no problems smooth and yanks the wheels with slicks no complaints after 4 years running.
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#9
11-08-2005, 01:46 AM
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I have run the street twin Mcleod for a few years now. 710 lt lbs at the tires with a race weight of 3700. I was leaving at 5500-6000. Thats in my 67 GTO.
__________________
1967 GTO 416 5-spd streetcar 11's on HP low 10's 150 shot 1965 GTO 10-71 Littlefield high-helix retro/Bird (untuned) 8.44 @164 3500+lbs 10.5W's SOLD! 1964 421 GP-Sold 6.0 cert. Fiat bodied altered blown alcohol Pontiac IAII-Sold |
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#10
11-08-2005, 12:48 PM
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A buddy tried the McLeod twin disc for street and strip. He had a Richmond 5 speed behind it. Although he had trouble power shifting the tranny the clutch took it in stride.
I used a McLeod 3 pad race clutch on the street some. Pedal pressure was light and I didn't think it was out of line for driveability. It worked wonderfully on the track. They told me to keep lightening the static pressure until the engine would flare slightly on the 3-4th shift. The metalic pad disc is supposed to look black and flakey if it is working right. If it looks like new the pressure is too high. |
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#11
11-08-2005, 01:09 PM
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McLeod 12" pressure plate that fits the GM 11" pattern, McLeod 12" street disc.
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#12
11-08-2005, 05:12 PM
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Ram
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#13
11-09-2005, 05:16 PM
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Scott, the clutch I watched burn up and slip at launch on Saturday was a Ram HD without that many passes on it, but the owner has subsequently informed me that he has a lot of adjustment left and that he might have also gotten oil on the clutch.
__________________
Badder than old King Kong And meaner than a junkyard dog -Jim Croce |
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#14
11-09-2005, 05:33 PM
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Oil will take care of it. Ram makes some top notch clutch set-ups plus the owner is pretty cool.
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#15
11-10-2005, 01:53 AM
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My Ram Clutch is great and has been through some tough stuff (clutch dumping, quarter miles at the track with drag radials, etc....). I'm suprised Ram is not more popular? Clutch adjustment is crucial and you'd be suprprised how many people I talked to that don't adjust them right or often enough. My vote is Ram HD.
__________________
Buy a GOAT....they eat anything! |
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#16
11-10-2005, 02:10 AM
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Hey guys,
what about pedal feel with the Mcleod and Ram clutches? I don't know what's in my '73 currently but my left leg gets a real workout driving that car and the clutch is pretty grabby so I'm guessing it's some kind of racing style clutch. I'd like to go with something that has great holding power yet doesn't make your left leg ache or start causing the seat anchor bolts to pull through the floorpan after a few miles of street driving. I'll drag the car some but it's being setup more for roadrace and autocross so ability to shift quickly and easily is important.
__________________
---------------------------- '72 Formula 400 Lucerne Blue, Blue Deluxe interior - My first car! '73 Firebird 350/4-speed Black on Black, mix & match. |
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#17
11-10-2005, 04:50 PM
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The 12" McLeod is a street stlye diaphragm, I think 2400 lbs. So the pedal feel is good, better than my old street/strip Hays.
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#18
11-10-2005, 07:44 PM
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Street/strip Hays lasted about 3 seconds behind my turbo engine. $500 wasted.
CF/DF was better but still didn't hold up. I'm thinking of trying a McLoed this time around but would consider a Ram if anyone else is having good luck with it. 700ft/lbs or so is hard on clutches I guess 
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#19
11-10-2005, 08:18 PM
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I have to say McLeod hands down. I've tried just about everything out there on my T/A, which I seriously abuse. I hand grenade RAMs & Hayes every time, and found the best luck with McLeod. I ran 10.5 B&Bs, with the disc that is closest to 'race' that still has marcel. I just got the McLeod street twin, though I'm fairly confident that I won't have any issues with it, considering the history I've had with McLeod. Also, I've stayed away from aluminum flywheels, since it's been my experience, for the street anyway, that a heavier flywheel is better, less rpm drop going into the next gear (among other things). Here's a shot of a street/strip Hayes disc, supposedly their' beefiest for the street: (hung it on the garage wall as a reminder!)
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#20
11-11-2005, 07:35 PM
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Ouch
Hope that chunk that came off didn't go anywhere you didn't want it to . . .
__________________
Badder than old King Kong And meaner than a junkyard dog -Jim Croce |
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