Hello all, At my last autocross I was getting a bit of clutch slip at launch. It was interesting that the slippage didn't occur later in the lap. Generally I've noticed once a clutch starts to slip as you go up thru the gears it just slips worse, but maybe the rpm of the motor was adding a little bit more clutch gripping force. It also seems like my pedal has come up a bit and I had a pressure plate crack some years ago so I think the same thing may have happened. When she cracked some years ago I just adjusted the pedal, and then she cracked more and stranded me. Obviously I did not know the pedal height change was due to the pressure plate failing. Anyway I've had a flywheel in stock for years that takes a 7.25" clutch. Anyone been down this path? One thing I seem to recall is something about modifying the linkage so that the throwout bearing isn't dragging all the time the way it is on the stock clutch. Any input or thoughts? ... Anyone? Quartermaster part numbers? Cheers, Sean
So just looking for any feedback about the streetability of these things. I don't get in stop and go traffic but don't want to have worry about being able to drive in it should it ever happen. I chatted with a guy at Quartermaster and he was recommending some sintered metal clutch discs which I'm a bit concerned about running on this beautiful flywheel that I have. The manufacturer sent me a note to run organic linings also, but I don't think Quartermaster or Tilton offer them. It would seem like an organic lining will give more feel than the metallic ones. There are a few options on the metallic linings and some of them imply that they are not "on and off", but I'd sure like to hear from someone that has tried these things. FWIW my 348 has some lightened flywheel in it and I could not tell at all when I drove it out of my shop, so it would be nice to find out that people that have had issues with these lighter clutches were just really sensitive to clutch bite ... anyone?
FWIW, I use a Kevlar lined clutch and haven't had any issues with it for over 12 years. My car is a turbo car and it sees a lot of torque and horse power. I don't recall who made it at this time. I think I have the name in my records if you need it.
Since you mention 'street-ability' I'll say that my experience with the multi-disk quatermaster is that it absolutely sucks for driving on the street. I was taking a supercharged 328 to the dyno yrs ago and got stuck in traffic, ended up getting out and pushing it along by foot instead of trying to creep along in stop/go. Tilton supposedly has a multi-disk layout that is more logarithmic vs linear but I have not used it, it's also very expensive. Kevlar lining is OK, but the real issue is clamp load. If the pressure plate can not supply enough clamp load then it's going to slip. The lighter clutch is great when there is enough tq down low, as we know the 3x8 just doesn't have it there so getting of the line with a light rotating assy and linear clutch makes for 'jerky' starts or burning clutch. you might want to look at OSGiken, great clutche/flywheel and TO bearing package and can be tailored to what ever you want. Not exactly cheap but less then Tilton and in my opinion one of the best available. I know we (Nicks Forza) set up as a dealer with them and are also eagerly awaiting some new development items they've been working on. Rumor is the engineers in Japan picked up a 328 to work with a couple yrs ago. They custom built a clutch/flywheel pckg for us for the 4L and it's very smooth!
Thank you for the feedback. So when you say no issues, you mean the car is "OK" to drive in traffic? Interesting you have Kevlar lined. I thought I read that material has an "on/off" bite. Cheers
I never experienced any of the on/off bite issues. It has a different 'feel' than stock, but works perfectly in traffic. I'm not sure if someone else drove it that they would notice it. The first Kevlar clutch I installed would slip under full boost (over 500 rwhp). The manufacturer suggested I send them my flywheel with the clutch so they could surface them together. Never had anymore issues since then.
