Clutch recommendations
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 81
Likes: 12
Clutch recommendations I'm hoping for some clutch/flywheel recommendations. Seems like there's a million options and it's tough to sort through it all. I wanna get this right the FIRST time!
Stock LS3 and TR6060
3200lb car (lexus IS300)
3.73 rear gears
Daily driver with OEM reliability - will autocross and do some track days, but not much
I've been driving MTX vehicles exclusively for 20+ years, so I can adapt to/accommodate some strange engagement characteristics - but I want a pedal effort that is ok for stop/go traffic
So what's wrong with OEM clutch? The rotating inertia. I'm trying to assemble a snappy, zippy, responsive vehicle and would really like to shed as much weight as I REASONABLY can. I don't mind spending money on this to achieve my objectives.
I'm all ears!
Stock LS3 and TR6060
3200lb car (lexus IS300)
3.73 rear gears
Daily driver with OEM reliability - will autocross and do some track days, but not much
I've been driving MTX vehicles exclusively for 20+ years, so I can adapt to/accommodate some strange engagement characteristics - but I want a pedal effort that is ok for stop/go traffic
So what's wrong with OEM clutch? The rotating inertia. I'm trying to assemble a snappy, zippy, responsive vehicle and would really like to shed as much weight as I REASONABLY can. I don't mind spending money on this to achieve my objectives.
I'm all ears!
TECH Veteran
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,985
Likes: 112
That IS300 should be a fun ride with the LS & 6 speed.
For a lighter clutch assembly for AutoX a aluminum FW will knock off some weight
Your stock motor should be fine with a stock replacement type clutch. Monster gets good reviews. A DF friction disc will have more holding power than a stock organic disc if you feel your driving use needs something more than a organic disc.
Some clutch companies alter the PP to increase clamp force but that can translate into more pedal effort if that is a concern
Twin disc clutches hold a lot of power and have stock like pedal feel but are heavier than a single disc clutch
For a lighter clutch assembly for AutoX a aluminum FW will knock off some weight
Your stock motor should be fine with a stock replacement type clutch. Monster gets good reviews. A DF friction disc will have more holding power than a stock organic disc if you feel your driving use needs something more than a organic disc.
Some clutch companies alter the PP to increase clamp force but that can translate into more pedal effort if that is a concern
Twin disc clutches hold a lot of power and have stock like pedal feel but are heavier than a single disc clutch
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 81
Likes: 12
My research indicates the lightest flywheel on the market is the Hayes 11.65 lb aluminum flywheel for LS1/LS6. Steel pressure plates weigh ~22 lb for most LS's, save for the LS7 which weighs 25. SPEC sells an aluminum pressure plate they claim saves 40%, so an LS1/LS6 SPEC clutch oughtta weigh ~14lb. Sprung-hub, non-puck style clutch disks weigh ~5.5 lb.
So, the lightest arrangement to be had without getting into more exotic Quartermaster/Tilton race clutches, would be a Hayes aluminum flywheel, and a SPEC aluminum pressure plate. This should come in ~31 lb as a complete clutch assembly. That represents about a 20lb savings. This arrangement will cost right about $1000.
It is important to note is isn't fair to only compare the all up weight, but rather, the mass moment of inertia of the assembly. These are impossible to predict without having the full engineering model of the assembly, but suffice it to say - the small diameter multiplate units will certainly have the mass more in the center for a lower MMI.
For now, I'm going to get a stock replacement LUK pressure plate and clutch disk for an LS1 ($200), and mount it to a Haye's aluminum flywheel. That will pull 11lb out of my assembly, and should handle the 375-400whp my car will be producing. If/when I wear it out, I'll pony up the $750 for a SPEC with the aluminum pressure plate.
So, the lightest arrangement to be had without getting into more exotic Quartermaster/Tilton race clutches, would be a Hayes aluminum flywheel, and a SPEC aluminum pressure plate. This should come in ~31 lb as a complete clutch assembly. That represents about a 20lb savings. This arrangement will cost right about $1000.
It is important to note is isn't fair to only compare the all up weight, but rather, the mass moment of inertia of the assembly. These are impossible to predict without having the full engineering model of the assembly, but suffice it to say - the small diameter multiplate units will certainly have the mass more in the center for a lower MMI.
For now, I'm going to get a stock replacement LUK pressure plate and clutch disk for an LS1 ($200), and mount it to a Haye's aluminum flywheel. That will pull 11lb out of my assembly, and should handle the 375-400whp my car will be producing. If/when I wear it out, I'll pony up the $750 for a SPEC with the aluminum pressure plate.
