Okay I am in need of some clutch advise here. My original clutch has been amazingly holding on by it's last thread but it looks like it's just about toast now. I have used the search function here but there seem to be so many opinions flying around it's not helping me much. <img border="0" alt="[bang head]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_banghead.gif" />

I need a clutch that will consistantly hold strong into the lower 400hp range. (All 3 of these seem to be capable of it.)

It needs to be very streetable in stop-and-go traffic, so easy pedal pressure, driveability, and lack of chatter is very important. (Damn SoCal freeway/parking lots!) The steepest gear this car will see is 3.73 until the entire rear gets swaped so chattering is a concern.

From what I have read the Ram VDS (910) seems to be the strongest and most reliable, but a few have complained about it not being good in tough stop-and-go commutes. Any comments on this? How good is the 300 series or is it just an over glorified LS6 clutch?

Star Spec 3's seem to have good driveability characteristics and the price is more attractive than the Ram's. But sometimes you get what you pay for, and I have seen many more complaints about them (especially their 1st generation design) than the others. How are they holding up now?

McLeod... I just don't know much about them. There seems to be several different versions and including the rev-lock II, so I am not sure what would work best for me and I haven't hearn much about how liveable any of these would be in traffic. Anybody have experience with their single disk carbon/carbon or carbon/kevlar versions?

My car needs to have it's hydraulics updated and I don't have an adjustable master so that also needs to be taken into consideration. The recent issues about the McLeod adjustable master bothers me a little, I have not heard any complaints about the Ram Hydraulic/Master, are there any other options out there?

 

I sell the RAM systems si I am somewhat biased. I have installed all of the clutches you mention and honestly, the RAM has held up to more abuse than any other single disk clutch. As you said, you get what you pay for. RAM stands behind their products too.

Mikey

 

RAM- does have a hard peddle (402/6130)I hated it in traffic.Held like a **** at the track.
Mcleod-(dual friction)Stock peddle pressure <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" /> smooth engagement.Haven't track tested yet.
Star-Heard too many problems so I never tried one.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Slowhawk:
<strong> RAM- does have a hard peddle (402/6130)I hated it in traffic.Held like a **** at the track.
Mcleod-(dual friction)Stock peddle pressure <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" /> smooth engagement.Haven't track tested yet.
Star-Heard too many problems so I never tried one. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">By "dual friction" you mean the the Twin Disk disk set up right?

Thanks

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 99MONGOOSE:
<strong> RAM= hard peddle??????????? not mine! My RAM 402/6130 is just a pinch more effort then stock. The STAR/SPEC stage 3 carbon with new master and slave was half the pressure of the OEM clutch but in my opinion the SPEC was junk. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Did you do the "drill out mod" or upgrade your hydraulics to 01'-present? Also did you use Ram's Adjustable Master?

Slowhawk,
I have the same question about the hydraulics/master you used your Ram set up.

I have heard that this might make a difference.

 

i havent heard any issues with spec stuff in a long time, like you say only their gen 1 stuff was in question.. i've had 3 of their clutches and none have ever slipped.. right now i have a stage 4 ceramic with unsprung disk.

saves a lot of money not to have to buy that m/c

 

aka 99mongoose

Mikey, at Rapid Motorsports did my complete install. Hey Mikey did you do a drill mod on my 99 SS? I have the adjustable master and a new slave cylinder too. Blackhawk- just get a RAM VDS system. Call Mikey, at Rapid www.rapidmotorsports.com


Brian

 

Dual friction disk ="s one disk different material on each side.I used one in my 560hp Mustang and lasted a long time.

As for the peddle pressure on the RAM,I've installed 3 different ones in different cars,all of them were harder than stock.I used stock 01 and newer slaves and stock masters or/Mcleod's.The 402 PP is twice as harder than stock or sometimes 3 times with the Mcleod master.It's a fact in the cars i've tested.

 

I am having my tranny rebuilt, and decided to go with the same ram clutch that you guys are using. What kind of clutch life can be expected out of this clutch? 3-4 track visits a year, and several street races. I do not powershift, and don't particurally dump the clutch alot. I rarely even slip it, as usually I just launch from idle on the street, or go from a roll. Will this clutch be good for a year or two (20k-30k) of semi-abusive use? Any comparisons about which one of these 3 listed have you had the longest life out of? I will only be using this on a 360rwhp car. My ls6 clutch is at 10k before rebuild, and it slipped.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by distortion_69:
<strong> I am having my tranny rebuilt, and decided to go with the same ram clutch that you guys are using. What kind of clutch life can be expected out of this clutch? 3-4 track visits a year, and several street races. I do not powershift, and don't particurally dump the clutch alot. I rarely even slip it, as usually I just launch from idle on the street, or go from a roll. Will this clutch be good for a year or two (20k-30k) of semi-abusive use? Any comparisons about which one of these 3 listed have you had the longest life out of? I will only be using this on a 360rwhp car. My ls6 clutch is at 10k before rebuild, and it slipped. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Should last the lifetime of your car <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

 

RAM= hard peddle??????????? not mine! My RAM 402/6130 is just a pinch more effort then stock. The STAR/SPEC stage 3 carbon with new master and slave was half the pressure of the OEM clutch but in my opinion the SPEC was junk.

 

*grin* It doesn't get any better than that..

Thanks

-Josh

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by distortion_69:
<strong> I do not powershift, and don't particurally dump the clutch alot. I rarely even slip it, </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">He He, if you guy the RAM setup you will not be able to slip it <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> .

 

My 6130/402 VDS is slippable, but just a bit. My pedal pressure isn't much over stock, or maybe I am just used to it. I can drive my SS with the RAM clutch just like it had the OEM clutch. Its just that the car is so damn loud.....GROTT headers, no cats, 3 inch y-pipe and SLP LM...... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />

 

I've installed and drove almost every clutch out there.

Here's my take:

The RAM, McLeod REV LOK II, and SPEC all engage and grab about the same. All of these seem to chatter but it's not as bad if you have better gearing. They all seem to hold very well though under high load.

The McLeod single disk is really smooth, use the kevlar disk and you will get a slight chatter.

The Twin disk is fairly smooth and and somewhat grabby but mothing like the first three I mentioned. This is my favorite of all the clutches...very streetable and will handle what 99% of the people out there have.

Like Mikey I am somewhat biased too but like to only sell in a product I believe in.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The RAM, McLeod REV LOK II, and SPEC all engage and grab about the same. All of these seem to chatter but it's not as bad if you have better gearing. They all seem to hold very well though under high load.

The McLeod single disk is really smooth, use the kevlar disk and you will get a slight chatter.

The Twin disk is fairly smooth and and somewhat grabby but mothing like the first three I mentioned. This is my favorite of all the clutches...very streetable and will handle what 99% of the people out there have.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I agree with Mark's reviews above, I've tried way too many clutches also.

BUT, I'd definitely say my Cartek setup is far more streetable than a dual-disk Mcleod. It won't hold as much torque as a dual-disk, but it holds just fine for my 525 rwhp car. No chatter at all, no still pedal, a stock-like engagement travel length, and it holds like a **** at the track. 1.4X 60' times in a 3600 lb car aren't easy!

-Tony

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Nine Ball:
<strong> </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The RAM, McLeod REV LOK II, and SPEC all engage and grab about the same. All of these seem to chatter but it's not as bad if you have better gearing. They all seem to hold very well though under high load.

The McLeod single disk is really smooth, use the kevlar disk and you will get a slight chatter.

The Twin disk is fairly smooth and and somewhat grabby but mothing like the first three I mentioned. This is my favorite of all the clutches...very streetable and will handle what 99% of the people out there have.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I agree with Mark's reviews above, I've tried way too many clutches also.

BUT, I'd definitely say my Cartek setup is far more streetable than a dual-disk Mcleod. It won't hold as much torque as a dual-disk, but it holds just fine for my 525 rwhp car. No chatter at all, no still pedal, a stock-like engagement travel length, and it holds like a **** at the track. 1.4X 60' times in a 3600 lb car aren't easy!

-Tony </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hey Tony, did you ever get those Bazooka 6.5 subs?

I don't know why I didn't think about the Cartek, maybe I thought that there were alot of problems with them <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> . I just did a little more research on them and I must have been mistaken... or hell I don't know what I was thinking about.

Question though,
Why does everyone say that the Ram is cheaper? The entire set up from Cartek including master and slave is $859. If you don't trust their hydraulics (have seen some issues there) the package can be put together for $895 using new 01-up GM slave and McLeod master. Am I missing something because this looks like it is is the Spec's price range? The Ram clutches seem to range $1093-$1199 for all of this.

The McLeod's are also looking interesting. Though that twin-disk looks really good, the entire dual-friction package can be put together for about $900. Which would be better Carbon/Carbon or Carbon/Kevlar? How does these compare to Cartek?

Thanks for all of the input here!
I just wish that this was an easier decision <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> .

I don't really want an on/off type of clutch, this could be as anoying as the heavy hamstring work-out from a stiff pedal with all of the traffic I am always in. So maybe the Ram, Rev-Lok 2, and Spec might not be good choices for me. The McLeod Twin would be a good option but they are really pricey. And I am not sure that I need this much clutch. Remember that I am not putting down that much horsepower right now, though I do want it to be able to suvive the higher HP#'s it will only be seeing a low 400hp level for at least it's first year (or two) of service. Heck I still have a 10 bolt <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />

So right now I am starting to lean toward Cartek or McLeod Dual Friction. Any other suggestions, comments, ideas?

 

Stay away from kevlar unless you like chatter.

The dual-disk setup is the most on/off engaging setup available for us. Seems like it has less pedal travel also, which makes it a bit harder to finesse.

Mcleod organic/organic single disk was a decent setup for a daily-driver. Wouldn't hold my nitrous runs back then though (500 rwhp). As soon as I hit the nitrous, sliiiiiiip.

 

I dont' know if you have felt the new three finger design in the twin disk yet Tony but they engage smoother than the REVLOK II, RAM and SPEC(which are the most on/off I think)

Sounds like the organic McLeod would be your best bet.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Raging Motorsports:
<strong> I dont' know if you have felt the new three finger design in the twin disk yet Tony but they engage smoother than the REVLOK II, RAM and SPEC(which are the most on/off I think)

Sounds like the organic McLeod would be your best bet. </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I have also been thinking about which clutch package to go with. I have been eyeing the new McLeod twin disk but haven't heard much about it.
Can you provide some input? Thanks.

Has there been any issues or problems with the new design?

Have anyone of your customers tested the clutch at the track yet?

How the driveability with this clutch?