What make a clutch SFI approved?
05-15-2005, 11:15 AM
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What make a clutch SFI approved? What make a clutch SFI approved over one that isnt? I think the Ram is the only one that is, correct?
Im starting to worry about this since I may have a grenade beside my legs...
Im starting to worry about this since I may have a grenade beside my legs...
05-16-2005, 08:40 AM
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SFI Approval is given by The SFI Foundation http://www.sfifoundation.com/ - clutches must pass a test to be given the sticker.
Both RAM and SPEC are listed as manufacturers with SFI rated products, but whether or not the SPEC LS1 clutches are SFI rated, I do not know. My RAM did have a sticker, and it definitely has a beefy pressure plate housing (MUCH beefier than stock).
The ONLY reason I replaced my previous clutch was safety. The Borg & Beck pressure plate it used was insignificant compared to the RAM.
Both RAM and SPEC are listed as manufacturers with SFI rated products, but whether or not the SPEC LS1 clutches are SFI rated, I do not know. My RAM did have a sticker, and it definitely has a beefy pressure plate housing (MUCH beefier than stock).
The ONLY reason I replaced my previous clutch was safety. The Borg & Beck pressure plate it used was insignificant compared to the RAM.
05-16-2005, 07:02 PM
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I just went and checked the patch that's on my blanket. It's rated as SFI 4.1 - which is an automatic transmission rating. It is not rated for manual trannies (6.x is the bellhousings for those). But do I feel like it would contain an explosion? Yes. Is it legal if I were racing in NHRA? No.
(edit, posted at same time
)
I run the RAM VDS/910. I abuse my clutch (6200+ RPM dumps on slicks, shift at 7000+). I love the RAM.
(edit, posted at same time
)I run the RAM VDS/910. I abuse my clutch (6200+ RPM dumps on slicks, shift at 7000+). I love the RAM.
05-16-2005, 07:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Camaroholic
I just went and checked the patch that's on my blanket. It's rated as SFI 4.1 - which is an automatic transmission rating. It is not rated for manual trannies (6.x is the bellhousings for those). But do I feel like it would contain an explosion? Yes. Is it legal if I were racing in NHRA? No.
(edit, posted at same time)
I run the RAM VDS/910. I abuse my clutch (6200+ RPM dumps on slicks, shift at 7000+). I love the RAM.
(edit, posted at same time
)I run the RAM VDS/910. I abuse my clutch (6200+ RPM dumps on slicks, shift at 7000+). I love the RAM.
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05-16-2005, 07:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Camaroholic
SFI Approval is given by The SFI Foundation http://www.sfifoundation.com/ - clutches must pass a test to be given the sticker.
Both RAM and SPEC are listed as manufacturers with SFI rated products, but whether or not the SPEC LS1 clutches are SFI rated, I do not know. My RAM did have a sticker, and it definitely has a beefy pressure plate housing (MUCH beefier than stock).
The ONLY reason I replaced my previous clutch was safety. The Borg & Beck pressure plate it used was insignificant compared to the RAM.
Both RAM and SPEC are listed as manufacturers with SFI rated products, but whether or not the SPEC LS1 clutches are SFI rated, I do not know. My RAM did have a sticker, and it definitely has a beefy pressure plate housing (MUCH beefier than stock).
The ONLY reason I replaced my previous clutch was safety. The Borg & Beck pressure plate it used was insignificant compared to the RAM.
05-16-2005, 08:09 PM
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The VDS/910 takes some getting used to on the street. It does chatter a little, and does not like to be slipped. You have to give it some good rev's to keep it out of the wiggy zone when slipping it.
I would "assume" the VDS is the top dog. Maybe Mike can get in here.
The pressure plate housing is beefy, and you can remove the pressure plate disc and replace it easily (it's bolted in). The VDS also includes flywheel studs (which is nice for installation). The 910 is their ceramic puck disc. The little springs on the disc are enclosed in an epoxy-like material as well, to keep them from jumping around if they break, I suppose.
The main reason I started running it is that Futral runs it in his car. Mine is slipping a little bit now (after many, many passes - over 100 6000+ RPM clutch dumps on slicks, and I have a new oil leak on the back side of the motor), so it's coming out and going back to RAM for a rebuild (which'll cost under $200). Resurface the flywheel, get the disc re-pucked, and get a fresh ring on the pressure plate.
As for SFI rating, it's a 2 part test that has to be performed. One is breaking PSI, the other is RPM. For the RPM, it has to exceed 50% of the OEM rev limit (so in our case, just over 9000 RPMs). For the breaking PSI, it's something like 55k psi - but I don't know exactly what they do (put a bar on something and exert pressure somehow - again, I just did a quick google for it, didn't really absorb all the details ).
I would "assume" the VDS is the top dog. Maybe Mike can get in here.
The pressure plate housing is beefy, and you can remove the pressure plate disc and replace it easily (it's bolted in). The VDS also includes flywheel studs (which is nice for installation). The 910 is their ceramic puck disc. The little springs on the disc are enclosed in an epoxy-like material as well, to keep them from jumping around if they break, I suppose.The main reason I started running it is that Futral runs it in his car. Mine is slipping a little bit now (after many, many passes - over 100 6000+ RPM clutch dumps on slicks, and I have a new oil leak on the back side of the motor), so it's coming out and going back to RAM for a rebuild (which'll cost under $200). Resurface the flywheel, get the disc re-pucked, and get a fresh ring on the pressure plate.
As for SFI rating, it's a 2 part test that has to be performed. One is breaking PSI, the other is RPM. For the RPM, it has to exceed 50% of the OEM rev limit (so in our case, just over 9000 RPMs). For the breaking PSI, it's something like 55k psi - but I don't know exactly what they do (put a bar on something and exert pressure somehow - again, I just did a quick google for it, didn't really absorb all the details
). 
05-17-2005, 08:47 AM
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FYI, emailed RAM about their SFI stuff.. Here is what they had to say..
Thanks for the inquiry. All of our components for LS1 are SFI approved, but
do not get a sticker unless requested.
Thanks,
Mike Norcia
RAM Clutches
www.ramclutches.com
do not get a sticker unless requested.
Thanks,
Mike Norcia
RAM Clutches
www.ramclutches.com
