Clutch School
Clutch School Obviously you should get a clutch that can handle the power your car is making but I have a bunch of questions that I was thinking a sticky would help everyone else too. Id like to know the pros cons of: Steel, Billet or aluminum flywheel and Single, twin or triple disc clutches
"Billet" refers to a part machines out of a basic primary casting. Billet aluminum vs stamped aluminum. "Billet" parts are generally considered better because the chemistries are well controlled.
The advantage to steel is price and strength. Steel is strong and steel is cheap.
The advantage of aluminum is reduced weight which comes with a price.
Reduced weight is helpful, because it improves the responsiveness of the engine. Really, it's moment of inertia, which is weight and the distance away from center of rotation. The con is tuning. It is harder to get a lighter clutch to settle down and idle. But it can be done. Some report it makes the car trickier to drive, others don't.
Twin discs simply have twice the friction surface area, so instead of clamping a single disc twice as hard, making a heavy clutch pedal, you clamp two discs with the same force, doubling surface area, doubling the force the clutch can hold.
Triple disc are an extension of the same.
Multi- disc clutches allow you to run lighter moment of inertia and retain clamping force and retain a comfortable pedal. The disadvantage is price.
Very short nut-shell answer to your questions.
The advantage to steel is price and strength. Steel is strong and steel is cheap.
The advantage of aluminum is reduced weight which comes with a price.
Reduced weight is helpful, because it improves the responsiveness of the engine. Really, it's moment of inertia, which is weight and the distance away from center of rotation. The con is tuning. It is harder to get a lighter clutch to settle down and idle. But it can be done. Some report it makes the car trickier to drive, others don't.
Twin discs simply have twice the friction surface area, so instead of clamping a single disc twice as hard, making a heavy clutch pedal, you clamp two discs with the same force, doubling surface area, doubling the force the clutch can hold.
Triple disc are an extension of the same.
Multi- disc clutches allow you to run lighter moment of inertia and retain clamping force and retain a comfortable pedal. The disadvantage is price.
Very short nut-shell answer to your questions.
