348 Challenge Clutch

It is probably like the 355 Challenge clutch in that the only difference was the metalic disc which cost an arm and a leg. I just replaced the disc in a 355 Challenge car with a stock unit and it works fine for what you are using the car for.

 

Ira,

There are 3 348 clutchs. 1) up to 1991 dual disc clutch (my favorite), 2) 1992 and up single plate clutch (many cars are coverted to the single for no good reason IMO) 3) a challenge clutch disc in kevlar that is more like a five armed frisbee than a actual disc. It has kevlar buttons with no marcel, IMO it makes very little difference in racing if you basically use the stock heavy pressure plate etc. IMO the best way to improve a 348 clutch is to 1) gut the Flywheel internals cut off the spider thing inside and weld it to the center hub and balance it. I have doen this and there is an acceleration difference. I dropped of about 6 lbs of rotating mass. 2) go to a tilton style 7" multidisc and appropriote flywheel.

Contrary to popular opinion there is not enough harminic issues by doing either of these to cause the engine to blow apart. Seen it , done it, and still racing it.

 

If your system is in good shape and you have the ability to do the system yourself you can jsut send the single disc to someone like fort wanye clutch and resurface with OEM style organic material for less than 50 bucks. Just give them the specs with compressed marcel so they don't mess up. Acept nothing if it is not in spec. They have the machine to cut down and organic surface to the proper spec. Companies like these are lazy and try to just put on surface which come in standard sizes not ferrari sizes. You can also put on ceramic buttons for clutch surface and experiment with kevlar etc and loos the marcel for faster hook up but more shock to the driveline. Personally I race and see no difference at my lowly level. Go to Tilton only if you are going to drop significant weight out of the system or it is just not worth the money.