We really need an LT1 sticky on clutch/flywheel options
#1
We really need an LT1 sticky on clutch/flywheel options
There does not seem to be many options for us LT1 guys. Please post if you know of any not in the list. I will try to update this first post as new additions come in so people do not have to read the entire thread.
Flywheels
1. Stock Gm (Iron)
2. Spec (Steel)
3. Ram (Aluminum)
4. Fidenza (Aluminum)
5. McLeod (Steel: #460350) and (Aluminum: #560350)
6. Centerforce (Steel: #700177)
Disc only [FYI: Disc/Spline size for LT1 is 11x1/8 x 26]
1. Mcleod single (5500rpm Standard Organic) and (7500rpm Performance Aluminum/KEVLAR #261871 (* see note).
2. Ram 300 (300=HX, 300/900=powergrip, 900=powergrip HD); Can not buy 300/900 or 900 seperately AFAIK
3. Centerforce organic performance disc
4. Spec 1, 1+, 2, 2+, 3, 3+, 4, 4+, and 5 (ordered directly from Spec)
Pressure Plates
1. Valeo LT4 pressure plate (# on cover is 382109-D0)
2. Valeo LT1 pressure plate (now discontinued)
3. Centerforce has a PP with counterweights. Unknown if sold separate.
4. Carquest made by LUK. Looks like LT4 copy.
5. Generic from China? Duralast, others?. Looks like LT4 copy.
Clutch Sets
1. Ram (OEM replacement, Powergrip HX, Powergrip, Powergrip HD)
2. Mcleod single (w/ 5500rpm standard or 7500rpm performance disc option)
3. Spec 1, 1+, 2, 2+, 3, 3+, 4, 4+, 5
4. Centerforce dual friction (comes with unique PP w/ throwout weights)
5. Hays ( w/ performance clutch disc)
6. Zoom ( w/ stock replacement clutch disc)
7. eBay Stage 3 (Strip Series 2400 Clutch Kit-6 puck disk)
8. Ram Street Dual Disk Clutch Assembly
9. Mcleod Dual Friction
10. Duralast (Autozone stock replacement)
* As per Mcleods forum website Apr29 2009- "the 261871 was a organic/kevlar style disc. This was phased out due to
constant clutch chatter. The replacement is the 261571 which is a organic/ceramic disc with a smoother engagement."
Many people make clutch sets but they pretty much use the exact same LT4 PP (except centerforce DF). The way to do it imo is to buy a clutch kit at Orelleys or AZ for $200 and throw away the OEM disc. Then buy a performance disc from the "disc only" list above. This will cost you a total of about $380 instead of $500 for basically the same level of perfromance.
Anyone what to add to this??
JD
Flywheels
1. Stock Gm (Iron)
2. Spec (Steel)
3. Ram (Aluminum)
4. Fidenza (Aluminum)
5. McLeod (Steel: #460350) and (Aluminum: #560350)
6. Centerforce (Steel: #700177)
Disc only [FYI: Disc/Spline size for LT1 is 11x1/8 x 26]
1. Mcleod single (5500rpm Standard Organic) and (7500rpm Performance Aluminum/KEVLAR #261871 (* see note).
2. Ram 300 (300=HX, 300/900=powergrip, 900=powergrip HD); Can not buy 300/900 or 900 seperately AFAIK
3. Centerforce organic performance disc
4. Spec 1, 1+, 2, 2+, 3, 3+, 4, 4+, and 5 (ordered directly from Spec)
Pressure Plates
1. Valeo LT4 pressure plate (# on cover is 382109-D0)
2. Valeo LT1 pressure plate (now discontinued)
3. Centerforce has a PP with counterweights. Unknown if sold separate.
4. Carquest made by LUK. Looks like LT4 copy.
5. Generic from China? Duralast, others?. Looks like LT4 copy.
Clutch Sets
1. Ram (OEM replacement, Powergrip HX, Powergrip, Powergrip HD)
2. Mcleod single (w/ 5500rpm standard or 7500rpm performance disc option)
3. Spec 1, 1+, 2, 2+, 3, 3+, 4, 4+, 5
4. Centerforce dual friction (comes with unique PP w/ throwout weights)
5. Hays ( w/ performance clutch disc)
6. Zoom ( w/ stock replacement clutch disc)
7. eBay Stage 3 (Strip Series 2400 Clutch Kit-6 puck disk)
8. Ram Street Dual Disk Clutch Assembly
9. Mcleod Dual Friction
10. Duralast (Autozone stock replacement)
* As per Mcleods forum website Apr29 2009- "the 261871 was a organic/kevlar style disc. This was phased out due to
constant clutch chatter. The replacement is the 261571 which is a organic/ceramic disc with a smoother engagement."
Many people make clutch sets but they pretty much use the exact same LT4 PP (except centerforce DF). The way to do it imo is to buy a clutch kit at Orelleys or AZ for $200 and throw away the OEM disc. Then buy a performance disc from the "disc only" list above. This will cost you a total of about $380 instead of $500 for basically the same level of perfromance.
Anyone what to add to this??
JD
Last edited by PoorMan; 06-30-2009 at 12:52 PM. Reason: New additions
#9
I think the one in my car that just went out is the Autozone one, with a lifetime warranty. If I can swap it back in for a new assembly, and just buy a disc, that would be great.
#12
The Autozone clutch is the same LT4 pressure plate you can get from GM for a lot less. The Autozone disk is a very similar OEM organic disk you can get from GM for a lot less but is best for bone stock applicatios. The pressure plate is the exact same pressure plate as Spec, Centerforce excluding the weights, SLP excluding the holes and even Mcleod, zoom etc. In fact Spec just paints them blue, throws a sticker on them and jacks them $200+. The best thing about the Autozone clutch is the lifetime warranty. Guess what, the Autozone TOB is the same too.
There are only 2 pressure plates in existence for LTx cars. The LT1 plate fingers are ribbed and the LT4 fingers are flat, they even share the exact same casting number on the surface of the PP. I am personally not convinced that the LT4 plate is stronger, I have a LT1 plate that has 10#+ more pressure than my SLP plate. You can even have your stock pp resurfaced as a cheaper alternative.
All aftermarket clutches have the exact same LT4 pressure plate right down to the casting number period, they are all made by Valeo or a Chinese knocker. I once saw the chinese knock-off, it had no Valeo logos at all, it came from Advance Auto Parts and even looked better than the valeo. Most of the current Valeo PP's have rough finish and flashing that makes them look bad, bt this is only cosmetic.
There is absolutely nothing anyone can do to beef-up or strengthen these pull type pressure plates, they are what they are. The key to stronger clutches lies in the disk, the aftermarkets makes their own custom disks out of organic, ceramic, Kevlar etc. I had a local clutch maker make me a dual friction composite asbestos/Kevlar disk for my ride, it grabbed good and engaged buttery smooth when I was making 300 RWHP. Now I am much closer to 400 RWHP and I get a bit of slipping when I beat on it.
There are only 2 pressure plates in existence for LTx cars. The LT1 plate fingers are ribbed and the LT4 fingers are flat, they even share the exact same casting number on the surface of the PP. I am personally not convinced that the LT4 plate is stronger, I have a LT1 plate that has 10#+ more pressure than my SLP plate. You can even have your stock pp resurfaced as a cheaper alternative.
All aftermarket clutches have the exact same LT4 pressure plate right down to the casting number period, they are all made by Valeo or a Chinese knocker. I once saw the chinese knock-off, it had no Valeo logos at all, it came from Advance Auto Parts and even looked better than the valeo. Most of the current Valeo PP's have rough finish and flashing that makes them look bad, bt this is only cosmetic.
There is absolutely nothing anyone can do to beef-up or strengthen these pull type pressure plates, they are what they are. The key to stronger clutches lies in the disk, the aftermarkets makes their own custom disks out of organic, ceramic, Kevlar etc. I had a local clutch maker make me a dual friction composite asbestos/Kevlar disk for my ride, it grabbed good and engaged buttery smooth when I was making 300 RWHP. Now I am much closer to 400 RWHP and I get a bit of slipping when I beat on it.
Last edited by wrd1972; 09-17-2007 at 03:23 PM.
#14
#15
The Hays is a clutch kit that is supposed to be a street/strip clutch, but I've never run one before. The Zoom is a stock replacement organic clutch disc and is a kit as well. Anything with MU is an OEM replacement, HP is their high performance series and use a Kevlar clutch.