New Clutch or Kevlar Clutch

Why do you shift at 7000 RPM, why not 8500? I would do the kevlar clutch, and I will be doing it when it comes time to change mine, even though mine is an F1.

 

I put a kevlar in my 2003 360 and it was awesome.

 

Ask plugzit(Bruce) , its about 150 per disc or clutch masters but they are more.

 

Two of us here in NC tried Kevlar on our F1s. We both wound up replacing it fairly quickly because the clutch would slip very badly. Mine had been fine during breakin but became unbearable later. Installing a CS TCU helped, but the clutch disk was toast by the time I did this.

We both switched to a kevlar-ceramic combination in a multi-puck configuration. I've not had any more issues, and I've not heard of any issues from Marc either. The final design was worked out between HR Clutches and Apex Vintage.



Lou

 

Lou, what are the direct advantages o the ceramic/Kevlar clutch thatbyou had put in? I'm interested in when I do replace my clutch I would like to consider this application. What is the cost of the clutch and where would one purchase it? Thanks in advance

David

 

Yes please list specifics, vendor, pricing, did you do anything with the flywheel, etc. Would be most appreciated.

 

Add me to the audience, listening intently. Need my first clutch replacement in the spring and have been having this very discussion with Josh of ECS.

 

My goal was longevity. I would like the clutch to last more than 20,000 miles. I like to keep my cars a long time and drive them allot. Plus I love to track the Ferrari.

The problem with straight kevlar on both sides was that because the F1 system slips the clutch as much as it does, it would overheat and lose all grip. It seems that the problem became worse after multiple heat cycles, so the effect was additive. I believe that the reason the issue improved a bit with the CS TCU was because the shifts are so crisp and so there is less slip. However, as I said in the prior post, most of the damage to the material had already been done.

The suggestion from HR Clutches (the second time, when we talked to the senior partner) was to use ceramic on the one side as it could take the slip better ... I think that was the pressure plate side, but I didn't write it down and don't remember exactly anymore. The multi-puck design was also to reduce heat, though I'm not knowledgable enough to explain why.

The actual design parameters were decided between Terry at Apex Vintage and the guys at HR Clutches. I didn't ask all the details that I would have asked if I was deciding the design. I did that on the first all-kevlar clutch and proved thru the initial failure that it was best left to the experts to figure out.

For the clutch disk, we shipped them my old disk. They modified it to the puck setup and resurfaced it with the new material.

We did also want to increase the clamping pressure so sent the entire setup to HR Clutches, but they came back saying that stronger springs for that pressure plate could not be found. They did rebuild it. there was an issue with the new bolt heads protruding too much, which Terry had machined down locally.

I have attached a pic of the clutch disks, both OEM as well as the modified 8-puck design.
It has been on my car a bit over a year, but I've not tracked it this year due to a combination of distractions that interfered with fun.


Lou
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I looked up my receipts. The disk relining and resurfacing of the pressure plate was $385.00. Shipping was another $20.00. The actual clutch removal, discussion with HR Clutches, new release bearing, etc and installation was all at Apex Vintage.


Lou

 

This is great. Thanks.

 

Bump.

Any more reviews on alternative options to the oem 360 clutch for an F1 are much appreciated. Links to different clutch options and suggestions are also appreciated .

 

Call Vivid Racing. They have sold the Kevlar clutch to F1 owners, said they had success. I have talked with Apex Vintage before, and they said it won't work with F1 tranny. Only owners feedback could maybe help.

 

I'm sure calling the seller is going to generate a success story, as I doubt Vivid will say "no, the kevlar clutch works like crap, don't do it." . It seems there are maybe five or six total owner reports about using kevlar clutchs (and none really with specific make/model specified), and it seems 50/50 whether its recommended or not for an F1. Frustrating that there is not more data on this as I'm sure there are more Fchatters who have put in an alternative clutch option to Ferrari oem clutch.

 

The mechanic i use said he installed one at a customer insistence and it did not work he had to take it out to reinstall one without kevlar


For what it is worth

 

I had clutch masters kevlar in my F1. Used it for over 13k miles and when I sold the car was still at 77% life. I used their stage 3. Honeslty a good product if you need them we sell quiet a few.

 

Subscribed!

 

Rob tell the secret on how to get it to work... A fellow 360 owner is ready to order one from Clutch Masters

 

I don't know what the issue is, honestly the installation follows the same path as the factory clutch. We use the stage 3 setup and seems to work fine. Just call me if there are questions or issues happy to assist.

 

could it be the stage that is being used ? he was interested in a stage 2...

is your price the same as from clutchmasters

 

Usually save money over clutch masters pricing. The stage 2 is ok but I would take the stage 3 over the 2. Just seems to have a longer life in the car and the drive is the same.

 

I will keep that in mind 4 when I need 1 . I always thought stage 3 was too aggressive and would make the clutch pedal to stiff

 

Hi

None of the pictures of the clutches are Kevlar ?

ciao