Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch

[Musclerodz]

I need to buy a clutch and can't make up my mind. I posted this over at PT.com but got mixed results. For those that have ran them, what are your thoughts and would you run one again. Thanks in advance.

Mike

[camcojb]

I need to buy a clutch and can't make up my mind. I posted this over at PT.com but got mixed results. For those that have ran them, what are your thoughts and would you run one again. Thanks in advance.

Mike


Mike,

I've had extremely good luck with the Centerforce dual frictions. I've had them behind 600 HP in a couple of cars and Don has it behind his 691 rwhp Camaro. No problems at all. Now if it was a drag race application with slicks and boatloads of power I may go with a twin disc, but for some healthy street setups it works very well.

Jody

[XcYZ]

Mike, I used a CenterForce DF behind my 434 with the TKO. I thought it worked awesome. If I had to do it over again, I would buy the same clutch.

Some of the mixed reviews may have been coming from the late model guys. I've heard that CF isn't a good choice for 4th Gen F-bodys.

http://www.lateral-g.net/gulbranson/motor/434centerforcedf.jpg

[Blown353]

I'm having extremely good luck with my Weber/Mcleod Dual Performance. It's similar to a Centerforce dual friction (organic material on the PP side, and bronze on the flywheel side) but without the little "finger" weights. Good smooth takeup, surprisingly light pedal effort, and I haven't felt it slip even under wide open throttle in 4th gear.

I've had a friend who had a couple of weights in his Centerforce DF let go, it wasn't pretty (little holes in his stock bellhousing.) That seems to be an exception though.

Also, you can't balance a Centerforce pressure plate because of the little weights, so you may or may not have a slight vibration.

If it's just a street car that won't be seeing any repeated slick usage at the strip, I'd recommend either. They both work very well for a high-HP street application.

Here's a pic (http://home.comcast.net/~procharged69/pictures/tkoswap/clutch.jpg) of my Weber/McLeod setup, the disc is sitting metallic pad (flywheel side) up.

Troy

[Musclerodz]

The weights were a complaint over at PT.com. He said that the pedal engagemant postion was not the same at all rpms. Is this something that any of you have noticed? I am not fond of not being able to balance it if I can with a McLeod or the flyweight issue.

Mike

[Blown353]

The pedal effort, not the take up position, will change with the RPM on a Centerforce with the weights. As you spin it faster, centrifugal force tries to pull the weights out, which puts more pressure on the fingers of the PP spring and more pressure against the pressure plate, increasing clamping power. Thus, the higher you rev it, the "stiffer" the clutch will feel since the weights will be exerting more force on the fingers.

It's weird at first but you get used to it quick.

As far as your last question/statement, yes you can balance a McLeod Dual Performance since the PP is a standard diaphragm type with no floating weights.

Troy

[lil427z]

mike, I've had extremely good luck with the center force dual friction setup. I have a 427ci sbc , hilborn efi , richmond 6 spd, ford 9' with 370 gears .
It made a little over 550 rwhp.
The 73 camaro z28 / rs and me and my girl have done 2 hot rod power tour
2003 and 2004 long haul .


rick kirkindall

[Rick Dorion]

I have one and love it. At the time of purchase, I called CF and asked for a higher rated disc. They cross referenced to a heavier car which had a different disc material compostition. This is on a 69 camaro vert.

[Jay Hilliard]

I got my clutch and pressure plate from Johnny's Transmission Clinic ... 860-423-8463. I got it 2 years ago and no problems in my 69 camaro with 400 rwhp. He hand builds the clutches, etc.

He was recommended to me by the tech guys at Tex Powell Racing Transmissions, where most NASCAR teams get their trans. Johnny is very nice guy to deal with and he also builds clutches for the modified race cars up north. One of his long time clients was Steve Park.

Just throwing another choice out there. Centerforce makes good products also.


Jay

[Musclerodz]

Rick(lil427Z),

That is a killer second gen. I saw you coming in at the Tulsa Power Tour stop as I was leaving. The second gen Camaro is the only one I have not owned......YET!

Jaybird,

How are they priced compared to Centerforce, and where are they located? I really want a clutch with a balanced feel at all rpm. Right now that is my only drawback to the Centerforce DF clutch. I don't want to fight it.

Mike

[lil427z]

jaybird , thanks for feedback. the 70-73 camaros are hard to find in good shape. i bought my centerforce set up from summit racing 1 800 230 3030



rick kirkindall

[JamesD]

i have a center force and i love it, easy pedal pressure, but i havn't had a chance to test its holding capabilites so far. i have heard that it does not work well with t56s, because the t56s are pull style clutches, the centrifical force of the weights actually works to your disadvantage.

[Jay Hilliard]

Mike,

The price was comparable or just slightly higher than the centerforce setup. Johnny's Transmission Clinic is located in Connecticut. I think its an easy pedal, especially compared to the old big block vettes and 3-disc clutch setup that are in late-model circle track cars.

You would have thought I had known Johnny all my life. Answered my questions and took interest in what I was using it for etc. To me in the same class as Paul Clark and Kyle Tucker when it comes to customer support.

Again....Centerforce makes a good piece.

[rwhite692]

One more vote for the Centerforce DF. Have one on my 383/T56, love it.