Clutch-Life Database
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Berkeley, California
Clutch-Life Database I propose that we establish some form of a clutch-life database. The database could be as simple as this thread. I am making this proposal in the Drag Racing Tech section rather than the Manual Transmission section because I think that the accumulated number of passes (eighth-mile or quarter-mile) is a much better measure of clutch durability than total highway miles. The database should include the following information:
1) Total number of dragstrip passes - 55
2) Whether the clutch has failed or is still in use - Failed
3) Average or typical engine speed at launch (rpm) - 5000
4) Typical 60' Time (seconds) - 1.65
5) Vehicle Race Weight (lbs) - 3400
6) Vehicle Wheel Horsepower - 390
7) Clutch Identification - Ram Powergrip HD
Such a database could help answer several interesting questions, such as: 1) How many drag races can a clutch be expected to survive? 2) How do launch rpm and other factors effect clutch life? I am more interested in those questions than in trying to identify “the best clutch” which is undoubtedly a mirage. What say ye? My data is above.
1) Total number of dragstrip passes - 55
2) Whether the clutch has failed or is still in use - Failed
3) Average or typical engine speed at launch (rpm) - 5000
4) Typical 60' Time (seconds) - 1.65
5) Vehicle Race Weight (lbs) - 3400
6) Vehicle Wheel Horsepower - 390
7) Clutch Identification - Ram Powergrip HD
Such a database could help answer several interesting questions, such as: 1) How many drag races can a clutch be expected to survive? 2) How do launch rpm and other factors effect clutch life? I am more interested in those questions than in trying to identify “the best clutch” which is undoubtedly a mirage. What say ye? My data is above.
Last edited by Gary Z; Jun 11, 2007 at 03:38 PM.
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Berkeley, California
I forgot, I also have data for my stock clutch. Some of you probably have data for several - let's see it.
1) Total number of dragstrip passes - 30
2) Whether the clutch has failed or is still in use - Failed
3) Average or typical engine speed at launch (rpm) - 2500
4) Typical 60' Time (seconds) – 2.10
5) Vehicle Race Weight (lbs) - 3400
6) Vehicle Wheel Horsepower - 350
7) Clutch Identification – Original 2002 Z06
1) Total number of dragstrip passes - 30
2) Whether the clutch has failed or is still in use - Failed
3) Average or typical engine speed at launch (rpm) - 2500
4) Typical 60' Time (seconds) – 2.10
5) Vehicle Race Weight (lbs) - 3400
6) Vehicle Wheel Horsepower - 350
7) Clutch Identification – Original 2002 Z06
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 3
From: Berkeley, California
Originally Posted by djsanchez2
Very good idea. I'll start keepin a log when i get the new clutch.
Last edited by Gary Z; Jun 12, 2007 at 11:46 PM.
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Berkeley, California
Originally Posted by Torkman15
Spec 4 Here, I barely broke in my stg 4 before sidesteping it at 6000 RPM at the track. About 200 10sec passes later and its still pulling hard.
Originally Posted by SMOKIN01TA
I have a spec 4, street drove it a ton, slipped it as well, no chatter problems out of it, 250 launches at 6500+rpm totin the front tires 2-3 feet high dead hookin on 28" et drags, never sliped 
Last edited by Gary Z; Jun 13, 2007 at 09:39 PM.
I'll add to this, good idea
old clutch
1)150+ passes
2)replaced but going in another car
3)5-6k
4)1.6
5)3600
6)was 445/408
7)SPEC 3"x"
also put 30k miles on that clutch
New Clutch
1)4 passes
2)still in use
3)4-6k
4)1.599
5)3600+(scales closed)
6)no dyno#s yet
7)SPEC stg 5
old clutch
1)150+ passes
2)replaced but going in another car
3)5-6k
4)1.6
5)3600
6)was 445/408
7)SPEC 3"x"
also put 30k miles on that clutch
New Clutch
1)4 passes
2)still in use
3)4-6k
4)1.599
5)3600+(scales closed)
6)no dyno#s yet
7)SPEC stg 5
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,471
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From: Berkeley, California
Originally Posted by badpewter-z
I'll add to this, good idea
Last edited by Gary Z; Jun 23, 2007 at 12:10 AM.
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Thread Starter
10 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Berkeley, California
Here's another old post with the some of the info I think we need.
Originally Posted by ezss
I have this clutch [Ram VDS 910] with the sintered iron flywheel. I now have around 100 track passes and 5k miles on it. At the track I dump it at 6000rpm on the launch, and it grabs like a ****. This is an excellent clutch, go get yourself one.
2000 SS M6
Rapid Motorsports 402CID w/ LS6 Stage 3 heads, Moser 12 bolt, 518rwhp/473rwtq SAE, 10.96 @124.5 full weight
2000 SS M6
Rapid Motorsports 402CID w/ LS6 Stage 3 heads, Moser 12 bolt, 518rwhp/473rwtq SAE, 10.96 @124.5 full weight
Last edited by Gary Z; Jul 14, 2007 at 02:56 PM.
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STOCK clutch with 106500 miles:
1) Total number of dragstrip passes - 5
2) Whether the clutch has failed or is still in use - still in use (daily driver)
3) Average or typical engine speed at launch (rpm) - 1000-2000 varies
4) Typical 60' Time (seconds) - 2.10
5) Vehicle Race Weight (lbs) - 3600 & recently as low as 3260 (car alone)
6) Vehicle Wheel Horsepower - 319
7) Clutch Identification - stock. . .
1) Total number of dragstrip passes - 5
2) Whether the clutch has failed or is still in use - still in use (daily driver)
3) Average or typical engine speed at launch (rpm) - 1000-2000 varies
4) Typical 60' Time (seconds) - 2.10
5) Vehicle Race Weight (lbs) - 3600 & recently as low as 3260 (car alone)
6) Vehicle Wheel Horsepower - 319
7) Clutch Identification - stock. . .
