Spetz

From reading around, it seems it's fairly common for people who upgrade engines to upgrade the clutch system at the same time

I didn't do that when I put a 15CVR intoy car and it seems to run fine

Is this an issue?


Also, I was thinking is it possible to put a higher tension spring so the clutch engages at a higher rpm for a better launch or is this going to be bad for driving?

ferrarimk13

that is not an issue at all, but its just preference, some guys dont like having an old clutch on a new engine, since theres a bunch of better ones out there. you can put a harder spring, but itll just need a higher rev to get going, but the punch is excellent

Spetz

I could imagine getting off the line would be much better

What happens if my clutch spring is more like a rubber band than a spring?

ferrarimk13

then it would suck, lol and wouldnt engage

Spetz

eh,
Well no on my car the clutch is 2 shoe and is held by a thick rubber band type thing instead of a spring around it

Pillbots

Never heard of that before. Surely as the engine heats up the rubber would become softer so it would engage too soon... But you would only really need to uprate the clutch either if it was slipping from too much power or personal preferance...

ferrarimk13

get aluminum clutch shoes, thats a good upgrade, and theres more traction/

GYNAIKAS

Aluminum clutch shoes? I'd never buy ANY aluminum upgrade for my car...get triple racing clutch shoes with the proper lightweight flywheel...that would be my choice!

ferrarimk13

wait, so u would rather have plastic clutch shoes that can melt at high usage? racing clutch shoes are aluminum btw, not plastic. I have the lightweight flywheel, and i cant tell the difference, ut it looks good! lol

GYNAIKAS

Well racing clutch shoes are not plastic they are made from ritine and they are supposed to wear off (very slowly) in order to achieve maximum traction between the shoes and the bell. Aluminum ones will never wear off, i agree, but ritine shoes are used even at centax type clutches (My sirio on my ex RRR had). Since I havent tried the aluminum ones I can't say if they're good or bad and I trust your opinion.

ferrarimk13

yeah, i used my plastic stock ones for a bit in my buggy, and it melted slightly, and didnt engage over 1/4 throttle. u dont notice the difference between the shoes, until they go, lol

Suprachrgd82

Here's a few clutch upgrade ideas:

2 shoe to 3 shoe: gives greater "bite", so the clutch will stay engaged under heavy loads, and grab hard when it engages

stiffer springs: increases the RPM at which it will engage. Good for harder launches, and smaller engines with high RPM peak power

lighter bell: spools up quicker, and slightly increases max RPM

lighter flywheel: spools up quicker, but launches softer

push-type clutch: offers full adjustability, and excellent "bite". downside is that it is physically longer and requires new motor mounts, and may not fit in all cars

alum & composite shoes: most ars come with plastic. These offer better "bite" and longer life. Composite will not leave deposits on your bell, and will not change coefficient of friction with high temperatures

GYNAIKAS

Well Suprachrgd82 said everything. You have all the answers.

ferrarimk13

very good suprachrgd82. To lighten up a clutch bell, can you drill holes through it?

Suprachrgd82

It may throw the balance way off and give you unwanted vibration. Chech with MIP first, but you absolutely must, drill holes ONLY if you can statically, and dynamically balance it when you are finished.

ferrarimk13

yup, not gonna do that, lol, MIP makes lightened clutch bells?

GYNAIKAS

If you attempt to drill holes they wont be exactly symetric even if you are as precise as any human can't be,so chasis will suffer from heavy vibrations at high rpm.