Clutches... What are you using!

[StephenB]

My last few threads have given me some great feedback so I figured I would get some more advice!

I had an ACT 4 puck spring type clutch before but it didn't last as long as I thought it would. They also offer a 4 puck solid, and a 6 puck solid or spring type. Not sure if one type would last longer than another one and/or why I would pick one over another. Help me out! And post your suggestions on good clutches! I want to make sure it lasts the entire devil in the dark weekend!

Stephen

[lawtonglenn]

.

Stephen, we used to use the 6 puck type...

however, our biggest problem over the years has been keeping the transmissions intact...
in fact, for our three RX7s we have in stock six additional transmissions,
three in rebuild, and three ready for use... if you remember one NHMS race weekend
last year I broke the tranny in the 14 car on the first lap of qualifying, trailered
home, swapped another tranny in in 1.5hrs, and returned to win the race after starting
from the back

what does this have to do with clutches you ask? well, we found that downgrading the clutch
from a six puck racing clutch to a "stage 1" exedy street performance clutch greatly
reduced the incidence of transmission failure ... our measly 175hp isn't what the
racing clutches were created for... the street performance ones work just fine, and they put
less shock load into the tranny ... here is the exedy page:

http://www.exedyusa.com/race_clutch/...e_1_clutch.php

best!
Glenn

.

[StephenB]

Ya but I am getting close to 270 hp in my ITR RX8

[Dano77]

Use a Clutch plate with springs!!!!!!!!!

I dont know if Glen made that clear enough for you.


Clutch Plate With Springs keeps the shock out of the transmissions.

Ive broken more transmissions in one weekend than I brought spares for due to the solid center cutch plates.

Dan

70,77,79 IT7

[StephenB]

Ok so should I just replace it with the 4 puck spring type that was in it? I think the 6 puck would just weigh more and "bite" more which is what I don't need.

My dad said to get a regular street performance spring type clutch. He said my low torque rotary thing is nothing like his mustang that needed a puck type clutch.

Stephen

[Ron Earp]

We use a spring type clutch as it is kinder to the driveline. We used to use the puck type in the SMs but I didn't really see any difference in times but certainly felt that the clutch was harder on the driveline. I have never used a puck type in an IT car.

I think there is more bang for the buck in getting the lightest pressure plate you can find. Spec and others make pressure plates with an aluminum ring surfaced with a replacable iron friction surface. These drop a lot of rotating weight, the old Z one I used to use was around four or five pounds lighter than a stock one.