So as far i am aware of, upgrading a clutch basically upgrades the "holding" power of your factory transmission so if you're going to upgrade horsepower or haul heavy loads you need to upgrade your clutch. Definately for many mass-produiced cars. They clutch is designed to a price and the limits of the engine family.
Full Answer
How many clutches do I need for my car?
BTE recommends the following guidelines for racing powerglide clutch setups: For cars under 3600 lbs and/or 700 horsepower and 600 ft lbs of torque, 5 or 6 friction/steel clutch packs are recommended For cars between 725 horsepower / 625 ft lbs of torque and 1600 horsepower and 1200 ft lbs of torque, 8 clutch packs are recommended
When do you need a performance clutch?
Once you start tuning the engine, particularly on torquey turbocharged cars, at some point you will probably need an uprated or performance clutch.
What are the different types of clutches for cars?
Depending on how the car is being driven and how much torque the clutch needs to hold, you will have a few different types of clutches to choose from. An “organic” clutch is similar to the clutch your car came with from the factory. The drive plate is a continuous disc, and the material used is designed to be slipped a bit.
Are organic clutches good for performance?
Some of the performance organic clutches on offer can hold a surprisingly high amount of torque. Once these aren’t up to the job, you need to give some careful thought to how the car is going to be used and how you want the clutch pedal to feel. In some ways this one is a bit chicken and egg.
Should you upgrade your clutch?
Like most modifications, upgrading a clutch disc is something which is application specific. It's important to understand that while an upgraded clutch may mean you can transmit higher power levels and run the clutch for longer durations, it also may make engagement poor.
Does upgrading clutch increase horsepower?
As Norton mentioned, the power gains from the SPEC clutch increase power all across the horsepower and torque curves. Moreover a faster revving, more responsive engine and clutch system is something that is useful in more than just producing peak power.
What clutch stage should I get?
If you're making up to 50whp over stock, you should be looking at stage one clutches which generally hold a 25-50% increase in torque capacity. The stage one clutches generally offer a slightly increased clamp load from the pressure plate and organic disc which will provide a similar stock pedal feel and engagement.
Whats better Stage 1 or Stage 2 clutch?
Summary. Stage 2 clutches perform better than stage 1 clutches, but a stage 2 clutch isn't always the right choice for your tuning setup. If you want to help your car perform better but retain as much of the OEM clutch feel as possible, stage 1 parts are often the way to go.
What is a Stage 1 clutch?
EXEDY Stage 1 Organic Racing Clutches only use premium friction materials that are resistant to slippage and burst. Increased clamp loads give the necessary capacity to handle modified engines. This is the ideal clutch for street and light horsepower track use.
What are the benefits of upgrading your clutch?
Reducing the mass of the clutch assembly reduces the mass that the engine has to accelerate, along with the overall mass of the car. Reducing the overall diameter of the clutch reduces the leverage that its mass has, reducing the force the engine needs to use to accelerate it.
What's better Stage 1 or Stage 3 clutch?
A stage 1 clutch usually uses Kevlar with organic compounds mixed in whilst stage 2 goes pure Kevlar. Stage 3 has a carbon semi-metallic six-puck disc while in stage 4, the hub also solidifies into a riveted one. Stage 5 is all about pure metallic discs and is perfect for extreme performance cars.
What will a Stage 2 clutch do?
The Stage 2 clutch, featuring a segmented or full-faced pure Kevlar disc with steel backing and offers slightly longer life and higher torque capacity than the Stage 1.
Is a Stage 3 clutch hard to drive?
It will be harder to control the slip of the clutch on engagement, making driving on hills and in poor weather much more difficult. You will transmit more shock to the drivetrain, wearing out engine mounts and CVs faster. You will *NOT* go any faster than with the stock clutch.
What is a Stage 4 clutch?
Description. Stage 4 Sprung – Strip Series 1620 Clutch Kit. This assembly, available with a six puck sprung plate is good for penetrating engagement with higher horsepower applications. This disc complimented by a performance pressure plate provides up to 250% increase in torque capacity.
Do I need a stage 2 clutch?
4:4114:21How to choose a clutch. Stock vs Stage 1 vs Stage 2, vs ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe the clutch to the flywheel harder which will result in a higher torque number so if you'reMoreThe the clutch to the flywheel harder which will result in a higher torque number so if you're modifying your car with a little bit more power gain it's always recommended to go with stage two clutch.
What does lightweight flywheel do?
Since flywheels are solid, unsprung components of a vehicle's driveline, a lightweight flywheel will decrease parasitic loss at a constant rate, improving a vehicle's horsepower and torque output (measured after the flywheel) throughout it's entire rev range.
Why is it important to replace a clutch?
When it comes to car maintenance, there's something satisfying about making repairs to keep your automobile functioning properly and extend the life of your vehicle. Sure, you may wait several months before seeing the dentist regarding a sore tooth.
Why is it important to have a clutch on a Mustang?
Because clutches only last so long, it’s important to recognize the signs and symptoms of potential problems caused by a damaged or worn clutch. The harder a car is driven or the more power an engine produces, the faster the clutch will wear out.
How does a clutch work?
The clutch transfers engine power by engaging and disengaging the pressure plate. With the use of both the flywheel and the clutch disc, rotation begins to occur. In short, the pressure plate rotates when the flywheel rotates.
Why does my clutch keep shifting?
Gear shifting problems can occur after a new clutch is installed and is usually due to a leaky hydraulic release bearing, damaged clutch fork, incorrect cable adjustment or worn pilot bearing. As you can see, there are many ways a bad clutch can cause problems for your car.
What is a stage 0 clutch?
The Stage 0/Factory Replacement clutch is an excellent choice if you're looking for a slight upgrade for your original equipment. It's perfect for daily drivers who see very minimal track days. This clutch typically features organic material, steel backing and a high clamp pressure plate. Choose this option for relaxed driveability and your average, comfortable stock pedal effort.
How does a release bearing work?
To better understand the clutch and how it works, it’s essential that you know all about each part. Bolted to the flywheel, the cover plate, along with the pressure plate, applies pressure on the drive plate. Pressure is applied through the diaphragm spring attached to the cover plate.
Does a clutch wear out on a Mustang?
The harder a car is driven or the more power an engine produces, the faster the clutch will wear out. If you’re interested in adding performance modifications to your Ford Mustang, remember that to be able to deliver extra power effectively, a new clutch will almost always need to be installed.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
In a racing powerglide transmission, the high gear drum is an important area to consider when doing high performance upgrades. In OEM applications, the high gear drum is stacked with 4 to 5 friction and steel clutches. Our quick tip guide details the method for cleaning up the OEM drum and preparing it for a racing setup.
When should you upgrade to eight (8) or ten (10) clutches in your powerglide transmission?
In a racing powerglide transmission, the high gear drum is an important area to consider when doing high performance upgrades. In OEM applications, the high gear drum is stacked with 4 to 5 friction and steel clutches. Our quick tip guide details the method for cleaning up the OEM drum and preparing it for a racing setup.
