LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8
View Poll Results: Best clutch for the $$
O'Reilly's OEM + McLeod disc
20
15.50%
RAM Powergrip
8
6.20%
RAM Powergrip HD
22
17.05%
RAM Premium Replacement
2
1.55%
RAM HDX
8
6.20%
Spec Stage 1
4
3.10%
Spec Stage 2
14
10.85%
Spec Stage 3
37
28.68%
Spec Stage 4
9
6.98%
Zoom MU
5
3.88%
Voters: 129. You may not vote on this poll

VOTE: Best clutch for $$

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Old 05-02-2008, 09:12 PM
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Default VOTE: Best clutch for $$

Throwout bearing went out on me. So Im gonna replace the clutch and slave cylinder while I'm in there. But I can't decide on which to buy. Looking to spend under $500. It is my daily driver, driven 500+ miles per week, with occasional trips to the track. Won't see more than 350rwhp, if that. I like the feel of a grabby "racey" clutch, I like a firm pedal...but at the same time I don't want to be wearing a hole in my shoe. I hate chatter. I definitely need one to last a long time, as much as I drive.

So vote on which option you think would be best for me.

Last edited by Spiers; 05-03-2008 at 12:00 AM.
Old 05-02-2008, 09:14 PM
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I have spec 2 and it does great for me...35k on it right now and I can chirp 4th gear with it.
Old 05-02-2008, 11:05 PM
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I love my Ram clutch! I had a Spec stg.2 before it and I hated it with a passion! Go with either the Ram HDX or the Powergrip. The Powergrip HD will be too much for you, price wise that is.
Old 05-02-2008, 11:23 PM
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I have a spec 4. I just installed it and it's just getting broke in. It would shake the car pretty hard trying to get going slow the first hundred miles or so, but it is coming thru that finally. I believe it's gonna be a great one.
Old 05-02-2008, 11:27 PM
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Thanks for input guys...good to hear about the Spec 4 also, Ive been thinking a lot about that one.
Old 05-02-2008, 11:53 PM
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I have such bad chatter in 1st and reverse... like real ******* bad.... so i think i need a new clutch or a throwout bearing soon. pretty sure its a stock clutch in my car
Old 05-03-2008, 12:59 AM
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lol spec 4 is supposed to be used for drag only....if you are gonna go that far over the top your best bet is spec stage 3+. Very streetable and I know guys running that on stroker ls1s making 500+ at the wheels. you say you hate chatter...then dont get the spec 4
Old 05-03-2008, 09:28 AM
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centerforce DF here, love it, the pedal pressure is perfect imo especially in traffic and long drives and I never get any chatter or slipage
Old 05-03-2008, 09:32 AM
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Ram HDX here, no complaints.
Old 05-03-2008, 10:36 AM
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Spec 3+ cost too much. From searching Ive found that supposedly every single aftermarket clutch still uses the same pressure plate (LT4) and that the disc is what is different. Was reccommended to buy a stock replacement from Autozone, Advance, etc...and buy an aftermarket disc such as McLeod. Thoughts?
Old 05-03-2008, 12:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Spiers
Spec 3+ cost too much. From searching Ive found that supposedly every single aftermarket clutch still uses the same pressure plate (LT4) and that the disc is what is different. Was reccommended to buy a stock replacement from Autozone, Advance, etc...and buy an aftermarket disc such as McLeod. Thoughts?
yes they all use a "valeo" PP. I have run Autozone which is good for stock or heads/cam set ups. SPEC 2+ which holds well but did not last very long and did have chatter if you were not dead nuts on with engagement. I now run the ZOOM HP (they don't make a MU for the LT1)

I even bought the RAM at the same time to compare and sent it back. After months and a few trips to the track I have to say the ZOOM is great. Holds well with my 383 and a tire at the track and is very smooth on engagement. I chose it because it simply has more "beef" on the bones. Hub is superior in construction, springs are bigger. I did also buy the mcleod dual friction disc and found it to be flimsy and the springs small and encased in plastic

a few pics to look at

first 2 are the ZOOM, then RAM, then my dead SPEC
Attached Thumbnails VOTE: Best clutch for $$-lt-1-clutches-051.jpg   VOTE: Best clutch for $$-lt-1-clutches-053.jpg   VOTE: Best clutch for $$-lt-1-clutches-058.jpg   VOTE: Best clutch for $$-lt-1-clutches-059.jpg   VOTE: Best clutch for $$-lt-1-clutches-078.jpg  

Old 05-03-2008, 11:45 PM
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Too bad the best clutch out there isn't listed.

McLeod Street Twin.

For $1100 I got an aluminum twin disk capable of more HP and anything above, PLUS it was NICE to daily drive, strong enough to outlast 3 10-bolt rearends, and 160,000 miles. When we pulled it (to replace the engine with a 396 last month) it still had plenty of friction pad left.

I'd never buy a different clutch for a LTx. Not for a stock one, and definitely not for my 500+hp 396.
Old 05-03-2008, 11:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Steve in Seattle
Too bad the best clutch out there isn't listed.

McLeod Street Twin.

For $1100 I got an aluminum twin disk capable of more HP and anything above, PLUS it was NICE to daily drive, strong enough to outlast 3 10-bolt rearends, and 160,000 miles. When we pulled it (to replace the engine with a 396 last month) it still had plenty of friction pad left.

I'd never buy a different clutch for a LTx. Not for a stock one, and definitely not for my 500+hp 396.

Absolutely. I have it and no complaints here either.
Old 05-04-2008, 02:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Spiers
Looking to spend under $500.
I don't have a grand laying around to spend on a clutch.
Old 05-04-2008, 08:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Steve in Seattle
Too bad the best clutch out there isn't listed.

McLeod Street Twin.

For $1100 I got an aluminum twin disk capable of more HP and anything above, PLUS it was NICE to daily drive, strong enough to outlast 3 10-bolt rearends, and 160,000 miles. When we pulled it (to replace the engine with a 396 last month) it still had plenty of friction pad left.

I'd never buy a different clutch for a LTx. Not for a stock one, and definitely not for my 500+hp 396.
AMEN! Brother! on the St Twn. If your looking for a complete system Mcleod came out with two price consious options. The Street Pro good for 350 HP and the Super Street Pro good for 500hp.
Old 05-04-2008, 08:50 PM
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Originally Posted by transamws6_97
lol spec 4 is supposed to be used for drag only....if you are gonna go that far over the top your best bet is spec stage 3+. Very streetable and I know guys running that on stroker ls1s making 500+ at the wheels. you say you hate chatter...then dont get the spec 4
My spec 4 does not chatter. Don't tell him it'll chatter without experience with that happening. Have you any experience with a spec 4 doing some chattering? I didn't think so. I do have some experience with a spec 4, and yes it is a strip clutch, but it does not chatter, it wants rev'd and dumped, not babied on the street.
Old 05-04-2008, 09:04 PM
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well this is taken straight from their site

"For heavily modified engines or engines of any modification level being used in the above driving environments, where an instantaneous engagement and light weight are beneficial. Not street-friendly due to harsh engagement."
Old 05-04-2008, 09:44 PM
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Well I just ordered an OEM replacement from O'Reilly's and the McLeod 7500 rpm Kevlar disc. Should be installed on Wednesday.

Total ~$400
Old 05-04-2008, 11:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Spiers
I don't have a grand laying around to spend on a clutch.
It's not just a clutch... its TWO clutches.

And a flywheel.

And a pressure-plate (yes, you can sell off your stock one).

and it'll outlast your engine... do it right the first time.
Old 05-05-2008, 12:25 AM
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i have the older spec stage 3 6 puck ceramic and its just a little to hard to drive in traffic for a dd. It holds great but a pain in the *** to drive (it chatters its *** off)


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