So lets talk clutches for a bit

[SSLance]

I'm running a LT1 style (one piece rear main seal) T56 out of a 1999 camaro behind my GMPP HT383. The trans came with the factory clutch and pressure plate that supposedly had 59,000 miles on it which I installed with the trans and have put about 3,000 more very hard miles on.

So far it has worked flawlessly. I'm using a f-body style hydraulic clutch master\slave setup and love the pedal feel and effort it takes to disengage the clutch and the daily driveablility is pretty nice as well.

Yesterday I noticed that I slipped the clutch a couple of times during my autocross runs. The slippage occurred after I had shifted to second on the starts but it didn't slip again the rest of the runs. On the ride home it behaved normally as well. I can only assume that as I continue to beat on the car, the clutch is going to be the next weak link that goes. So, this is my homework assignment...find the replacement before it's actually needed in a hurry.

What is the hot ticket these days for a replacement clutch that will hold 400 ft pounds of torque to the rear tires at 2,000 rpm well while still giving nice daily driving attributes?

I'm not looking to break the bank here either but I'd like to make the correct decision the first time and be happy with the choice. I've had friends buy the biggest baddest clutch disc they could get and be totally unhappy with the daily driving aspect and I do not want to make that mistake while at the same time I don't want to be replacing it again in 6 months to a year because it can't hold up to what I'm putting it through.

Open to suggestions, personal experience with a similar type setup worth even more.

You can hear the clutch slip after I make the first left turn and head towards the kink in the first straight on a couple of these runs.

PFpGXDHWWts

[SSLance]

Does anyone have any experience with a Spec Clutch?

Maybe a stage 2 or stage 2+ for my application?

http://www.specclutch.com/products

[glassman]

Lance, same questions i will be asking shortly. Although my pp, fly, clutch discs were just installed new, the trac time sure uses them up quick (mostly loading on the trailer lol)

[67ragtp]

Lance,

I just happen to have a spec 2+ clutch sitting on a shelf in my shop. Its practically new. I tried to talk my son out of buying it, lets just say sometimes you can lead the horse to water but cant make him drink it. This clutch uses a very aggressive friction material, a combination of Kevlar and carbon and combines a stiff marcel spring in the hub design. You mention that you want the clutch to give nice daily driving attributes, this thing chatters pretty badly upon initial engagement, it was setup behind a Ls2 w/ls3 heads and every thing new from the flywheel back using the same release bearing you are currently running. Handling the power was not an issue, just driveability is poor, This is the second clutch Ive owned with Kevlar linings and experienced the chatter and sometimes gets worse when the clutch gets hot.

We ended up installing a stock zo6 ls7 clutch in my sons car, holds the power(400+ RW ftlbs) nicely and has awesome street manners. I have had very good luck with centerforce clutches, in your power range I like the dual friction. Probably 15 years ago I used it in my 540 cuin powered 67 Camaro, the car was north of 600 ftlbs running low 10s with a centerforce dual friction and drove like a dream. I really needed a dual disk in that car but the dual friction held up to where it was not rated for.

I currently run a Centerforce DYAD in my ls7 69 Camaro and love it, a tad noisy but great engagement and killer clamping force. Pretty expensive piece.

Clutches truly have there own personality, good luck with your choice- Rich

[SSLance]

Thank you for sharing your first hand experience... I'd be pissed if I put a clutch in and it chattered badly in everyday driving.

I don't think I need that aggressive of a clutch for my needs.

[SSLance]

With a 3 week break between events I figured it was the best time to get after this, so last night I pulled the trans to inspect the clutch. When I pulled the slave cylinder out, these pieces of wire were laying in the bell housing there.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jly10UYRoRc/U46Lme97uUI/AAAAAAAAOcs/DuFPIxZkuAg/w1215-h685-no/IMG_20140603_215249_927.jpg

When I pulled the Pressure plate and disc out the throw out bearing just fell out. I'm pretty certain that wire used to hold the bearing onto the Pressure plate. This was a stock style LT1 clutch setup from a 1997 Camaro.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qbu1jqagQ4Y/U46Ln9S-kFI/AAAAAAAAOc4/EOGXa4cGcas/w1215-h685-no/IMG_20140603_215310_818.jpg

It has been noisey for a while now when you let the clutch out with the trans in neutral, almost like a rod knocking noise...I'm assuming this was the bearing flopping around against the PP fingers.

Good news is the flywheel looks like it can be cleaned up pretty easily.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vvqgmpVerQ4/U46LjtTIzBI/AAAAAAAAOcg/uAiZ6vKhg-M/w1215-h685-no/IMG_20140603_215202_876.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8MPl9wZmZAo/U46LeRvUgnI/AAAAAAAAOcU/sSDOV5WYkFg/w1215-h685-no/IMG_20140603_215139_813.jpg

I'll pull it this morning and get it to a machine shop for grinding.

Here are my top choices for a replacement clutch.

http://www.mcleodracing.com/index.php/super-street-pro-15647.html

SUPER STREET PRO Part Number: 75216

SUPER STREET PRO KIT, CAMARO LT1 '93-'97 11" 1 1/8 x 26 Excellent street/strip clutch capable of handling up to 550HP. Kit includes pressure plate, dual faced disc, alignment tool and throwout bearing.


http://www.ramclutches.com/Products/street%20strip.htm

Powergrip Performance Clutch sets
MUSCLE CAR PERFORMANCE TO 550 HORSEPOWER
As power levels move up to and beyond 500 horsepower. RAM POWERGRIP meets the challenge with a combination of organic and metallic disc friction surfaces that effectively increase the clutch capacity to the 550 horsepower level. The 8-spring hub is equipped with RAM POLYCOIL damper springs encapsulated in polyurethane. This spring can handle three times the shock load of just the coil spring, and is standard in all RAM competition discs. The RAM Competition pressure plate in this kit provides 30% more clamp pressure than stock, and meets SFI specifications. At this high level of performance RAM POWERGRIP provides surprisingly good driving characteristics with smooth, comfortable driver control. Sets include pressure plate, disc, release bearing, and alignment tool unless otherwise noted.


The car puts 400 lb ft to the rear tires at 2,000 rpm, weighs 3511 pounds and is heavily autocrossed and still driven on the street quite a bit. I want a clutch that will hold the power when put down on real sticky tires but not chatter when daily driven or be super stiff to disengage.

I've also looked at Modern Drivelines clutch which is a 2000 pound spring, 100% kevlar\organic disc that comes recommended from a friend. Superior clutch makes theirs out of San Jose, CA

http://www.moderndriveline.com/catalog/clutches.htm

Kevlar®/Organic Clutch
This clutch is a multi-friction type with Kevlar®, and Organic surfaces designed for extra grab and high heat tolerance from high performance applications. Available in 10" or 10.5". Great solution for a track/street car.

Curious if anyone has any experience with them? the price is pretty good, $395 for a complete kit vs over $600 for the other choices. But I'd like some first hand experience with them before going that direction.

[intocarss]

This place builds some nice stuff

http://www.turboclutch.com/

[SSLance]

They sure do... :G-Dub:



10 thousands cleaned the flywheel right up. I ordered the Ram Powergrip clutch kit, should be here on Friday.


Powergrip Performance Clutch sets
MUSCLE CAR PERFORMANCE TO 550 HORSEPOWER
As power levels move up to and beyond 500 horsepower. RAM POWERGRIP meets the challenge with a combination of organic and metallic disc friction surfaces that effectively increase the clutch capacity to the 550 horsepower level. The 8-spring hub is equipped with RAM POLYCOIL damper springs encapsulated in polyurethane. This spring can handle three times the shock load of just the coil spring, and is standard in all RAM competition discs. The RAM Competition pressure plate in this kit provides 30% more clamp pressure than stock, and meets SFI specifications. At this high level of performance RAM POWERGRIP provides surprisingly good driving characteristics with smooth, comfortable driver control. Sets include pressure plate, disc, release bearing, and alignment tool unless otherwise noted.

[Payton King]

Looks like you already ordered one. I would have said go with a Monster stage II with the bilet flywheel. It is a little lighter and you would rev a wee bit quicker. I ran it in my car and it was perfect.

http://www.monsterclutches.com/shop/index.php/gm/9802fbody.html

[malibu795]

They sure do... :G-Dub:



10 thousands cleaned the flywheel right up. I ordered the Ram Powergrip clutch kit, should be here on Friday.


Powergrip Performance Clutch sets
MUSCLE CAR PERFORMANCE TO 550 HORSEPOWER
As power levels move up to and beyond 500 horsepower. RAM POWERGRIP meets the challenge with a combination of organic and metallic disc friction surfaces that effectively increase the clutch capacity to the 550 horsepower level. The 8-spring hub is equipped with RAM POLYCOIL damper springs encapsulated in polyurethane. This spring can handle three times the shock load of just the coil spring, and is standard in all RAM competition discs. The RAM Competition pressure plate in this kit provides 30% more clamp pressure than stock, and meets SFI specifications. At this high level of performance RAM POWERGRIP provides surprisingly good driving characteristics with smooth, comfortable driver control. Sets include pressure plate, disc, release bearing, and alignment tool unless otherwise noted.

mine is due for a new one... im bumping to 12" vs 11" 1 1/8"x26 that is in there now..
BTW what is first gear and rear end ratios? mines 2.66/3.08 and i have to slip the clutch a little from a stop