I've been doing a lot of research on clutches lately, and I wanted to run something by you guys.

Little background... I installed a TR224 last month and have a set of Absolute Speed Stage 2 heads sitting in my garage waiting for some warmer weather. Currently, I'm putting down approximately 400rwhp (SAE), and should be around 430+rwhp once I get the heads on.

I've ordered a Strange 12-bolt and chromemoly driveshaft, so I'm thinking the remaining weak link will be the clutch. Here's are the clutches I've been mulling over: Centerforce Dual Friction, SPEC Star Stage 3 Carbon, and the Ram 402/980.

As you can see, I'd like to keep my stock flywheel (I've only got 3000 miles on the car). In reading all the posts I could find, it seems like I've seen about a 50% "approval" rate with the Centerforce, 75% on the SPEC, and 100% on the Ram.

I could get the Centerforce setup for ~$300, but I'm a little worried about the results. I could probably pick up the SPEC for ~$500.

My main question is, if I were to go with the Ram, what all would be needed? Again, I've done a lot of research, and here's what I've come up with:

Ram 402 - Pressure Plate
Ram 980 - Clutch
Ram 510 - Adj. Master Cylinder (is this required?)
Ram 488 - Throwout Bearing
Ram 550 - Shim Kit

If this is about right, I looked out on Summit, and the total cost for all of the above was ~$595; does that sound like a good price?

I know this was a long post; I tried to do as much research as possible up front, and I would greatly appreciate any information you all could provide. <img border="0" alt="[worship]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_hail.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

Thanks!

<small>[ February 01, 2003, 03:14 PM: Message edited by: 02bluess ]</small>

 

Im not an expert, but I can give you a little background from my clutch. I went with the SPEC stage 3 carbon fiber one and I have been very pleased with it! That particular clutch advertises to hold up to 600 or 650 rwhp and beleive me, I dont have that kind of power and I dont think that I ever will. I chose to go with the carbon fiber one because it was made for the street and the strip and would last a bit longer than the ceramic. Im not 100% sure if you have to upgrade the clutch master, but I think it would be for the best of it. I went with the Mcleod one, and I havent had any problems with it or the clutch. I kept the stock flywheel also and had it lightened a little and resurfaced. I dont know anything about Ram products, but I wouldnt go with the Centerforce, Ive heard nothing but bad about them for F-bodies! Ive only heard good things about them for Fords. Well I hope this helps, good luck to ya!

 

First off, I'm no expert. I had the DF Centerforce. The clutch felt pretty solid, but didn't hold up very long (~8-12k on the street). The clutch never saw time at the strip, and was not abused (other then banging 2nd gear a couple times when I first bought the car). The car only had crapy flows. Just my two cents...

<small>[ February 03, 2003, 06:58 PM: Message edited by: RV ]</small>

 

well for what it's worth, I had a centerforce dual friction on my 98 ws6 the car car was at 400& change at the wheels, i had it for 38,000 miles until gm took my car under the lemon law for a bad computer. I now have a 01 ws6 i put a dual friction centerforce clutch on it the day after I got it from the dealership. I now have 29,000 miles on it and still no problems from centerforce. Just another opionion