So lets talk clutches for a bit

[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.



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.



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.





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.ph...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...



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/...9802fbody.html

[malibu795]

Originally Posted by SSLance

They sure do...



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