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View Full Version : Clutches---Who knows what about them?!



86xxx
29th August 2007, 09:39 AM
Hey all

As many of you are aware im nearing the finishing stages on the headache, i am in need of a clutch.

Question is, what type? there are so many to choose from i dont know what to get! 3,4,5,6 puck? Single, Twin, Triple plate? HELP!!!

Basically the car will hopefully be making about 250rwkw, no idea on torque but the 3sgte is known for having a bit of it!! I plan on daily driving and club racing it, hill climbes, track days etc. No clutch kicking the hell out of it drifting or anything (yet!). I have found a clutch that i think will suit and will be capable of the job, here are the specs:

F1 Racing Stage 4 clutches are designed for the individual whose goal is to have an ultimate strip/track clutch system. F1 Racing Stage 4 clutches only consist of the very best materials available. The pressure plate is made from the forged ductile iron (3X stronger than the conventional cast iron pressure plate) to ensure consistent clamping force and the extra long life. The disc has virtually indestructable 6-puck solid type where it provides precise and direct clutch engagement. The 6-puck copper ceramic (also known as 'MIBA') disc features high-coefficient friction pads that are resistant to slippage and burst. The F1 Racing pressure plate features special single diaphragm design to increase clamp load. It features induction hardened diaphragm, CNC machined castings, stronger drive straps and rivets. F1 Racing pressure plate provides smooth and precise feel with easy modulation. All F1 Racing pressure plate is load tested on a special testing tool for quality assurance.

This complete clutch kit includes:
F1 Racing HD Pressure Plate
F1 Racing 6-puck solid copper ceramic disc (232 mm, 21 spline)
Release Bearing
Alignment Tool
Installation Guide

Horsepower Rating: 520 HP / Torque Capacity: 490 ft/lbs

What's the opinions guys? Its not too expensive (i think twin plates are excessively expensive!), but at this stage im not prepared to go more than $1000 on a clutch. I have sitting here (i've got it for sale atm!) a near new Xtreme heavy duty clutch and pressure plate, but i doubt that it'll hold up to the thrashing it'll be given!

Cheers

Hen is a total nutcase
29th August 2007, 11:16 AM
My feeling is that any reasonable quality puck clutch and matched pressure plate should do the trick. I don't feel the number of pucks makes a huge difference.

I've used Excedy parts fot the last few years (ok, at half the power, but they get a very hard life drifting) and the clutch hasn't missed a beat. I changed clutch recently only because I had the box out anyway and the pucks were worn down to the rivets.

I changed from a sprung centre to a solid centre too and honestly haven't noticed the difference.

So I'd recommend a single plate pucked clutch from whatever brand you feel comfortable with, and a pressure plate with a serious clamp to match. Sprung or solid centre is up to you, but I'd recommend solid as it has less to go wrong.

It looks like the one you list fits reasonably well, though I know nothing about F1 Racing.

Hen

verm69
29th August 2007, 03:26 PM
It depends what kind of grab you want...

how many Pucks it has won't make any difference to what kind of grab it has, but i will make a difference to how well the clutch cools...

if you're going to be putting some serious power through it, you'll need a clutch made of good material (of course) but that will also mean that you will have bugger all slip...

the biggest choice, i feel, you'll have to make is how much slip you want and then match a clutch material to that...

there's a video i posted on here a while back explaining all this... i'll try to ind it for you...

verm69
29th August 2007, 03:35 PM
here you go dude...

have a watch of this... it's REALLY good

http://jalopnik.com/cars/clips/ask-bob-clu...ined-251875.php (http://jalopnik.com/cars/clips/ask-bob-clutches-explained-251875.php)

DavisJD
29th August 2007, 08:21 PM
Thanks for that vid, was pretty informative considering I know nothing about clutches!

Funny when the guy call it copper kevlar instead of carbon kevlar!

ke70dave
29th August 2007, 08:51 PM
here you go dude...

have a watch of this... it's REALLY good

http://jalopnik.com/cars/clips/ask-bob-clu...ined-251875.php (http://jalopnik.com/cars/clips/ask-bob-clutches-explained-251875.php)[/b]

that video was great, thankyou for posting it up, really enjoyed it (the fat kids on the merry-go-round, best analogy ever:P)

sorry cant help with your clutch question though, but like the dude said on that vid, make sure it suits your application

86xxx
29th August 2007, 08:54 PM
Brilliant Video!! Thanks Verm