performance clutch in a 5.7 350...

importeater38 · #1 03-08-2005, 09:44 PM

Ok guys, maybe you can help me out. I need to put in a new clutch, one that will hold over 600 HP and still be streetable. Mcleode has a nice looking set up and so does Spec. Both companies have a version thats streetable. Any thoughts? car is a 94 5.7 trans am 6speed. Im gonna get a light weight flywheel when i get the clutch too.

MrPbody · #2 03-09-2005, 07:40 AM

Center Force is the most popular out there today. You can get a single or dual disc version. This is a "compensated diaphragm" design, made to increase pressure as RPMs increase, unlike standard diaphragm types that will actually pull away as RPMs increase. Ram also makes very good street performance clutch sets. McCleod and Hayes have been around forever. Good, but not leading edge.

A diaphragm type is more desireable for a street-driven car, as the pedal effort is significantly lower than the "Borg & Beck" design. For racing, the B&B is a better choice. You can identify either by the "fingers" in the center. A diaphragm will have many (like 12 or 16) "fingers", while the B&B will have three.

importeater38 · #3 03-09-2005, 09:16 PM

Well, everyone i talk to, says center force clutches are bullshit for lt1 or ls1's . From what i see, the only reason they are so popular is because all the trendy performance magazines have nothing else to offer, and they are cheap in price.
Mcleods new line of high preformance drag clutchs are "supposed" to be awesome, but from what i hear they are just starting to gain popularity at the strip, so not too many people have info on them. I don't know much about the company's history, so if they have been around forever and are just NOW making a really good clutch, i would still be skeptic.

As for Spec, they seem to be the way to go. They have a variety of parts that you can interchange to meet your driving needs and can easily handle high amounts of HP. Lots of people have them, and lots of reputable shops are very knowledgable about them. So, unless anyone has a better sugestion, Spec seems to be the way to go.

MrPbody · #4 03-10-2005, 07:40 AM

I had a McLeod clutch in a Chevelle in 1971. It worked. Hayes and Zoom were other brands of choice in those days. Who is Spec? Is that something more oriented to modern cars and imports?
CenterForce clutches do exactly what they're purported to do, albeit they are quite expensive. I don't recommend them over the Ram. Of course, we're talking about engines that put out a lot more torque at a lower RPM than the LTx and LSx engines. Big blocks, big Dodges and Pontiacs NEED "more" clutch than small blocks, and they tend to not be revved as high.
FWIW

importeater38 · #5 03-10-2005, 09:27 PM

Spec is very popular among late modle car people, imports and f-bodies.
I dunno if they have anything for classic big blocks.
I still don't trust center force, too many people knock um. Center force is cheap compared to Spec, the spec set up im looking at is about 1200-1500

MrPbody · #6 03-11-2005, 08:00 AM

Thanks for the update. I'll get one and look it over. Awfully high price for a clutch for a street car, though. How much clutch do you need? A small block isn't exactly a torque monster...

importeater38 · #7 03-12-2005, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrPbody

Thanks for the update. I'll get one and look it over. Awfully high price for a clutch for a street car, though. How much clutch do you need? A small block isn't exactly a torque monster...

Im creating a monster "muha ha ha"

MrPbody · #8 03-14-2005, 07:55 AM

So, you're putting LS6 or LS7 in it? Or stroking to 383 or bigger?

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