Clutch: changing, balance and characteristics

Competition engines and ancillaries - general discussion
Post Reply
cantfindausername
Posts: 306
Joined: July 19th, 2006, 6:07 pm
Location: Crawley, West Sussex
Contact:

Clutch: changing, balance and characteristics

Post by cantfindausername »

Just something I've been considering lately.

I had the whole rotating assembly balanced as part of my engine build, however, I'm considering changing the clutch. Its very aggressive and I might be doing more road driving that I had initially spec'd for, being that its a race clutch. A few options I've been looking at are:

1. Just put up with the aggressive nature of the clutch.
2. See if I can get less aggressive friction plates.
3. Swap the entire clutch/flywheel assembly out.

What would you do in this situation??

Thanks,
Ant
Guy Croft
Site Admin
Posts: 5039
Joined: June 18th, 2006, 9:31 am
Location: Bedford, UK
Contact:

Re: switching from 1 balanced component to another

Post by Guy Croft »

Need to know the type of clutch,

G
cantfindausername
Posts: 306
Joined: July 19th, 2006, 6:07 pm
Location: Crawley, West Sussex
Contact:

Re: switching from 1 balanced component to another

Post by cantfindausername »

The one that I'm considering taking out is the one that I sent up to you Guy, and you checked it all out for me.

The clutch came with flywheel and all other fittings needed, so I would need to change out the flywheel and clutch if I go this route at a minimum. Its a great clutch for what its meant for, but I don't think I'll be as dedicated to drag racing as I once thought I might be.

I might just be having bad memories of it though, after all, its been 51 weeks since I drove the car, so thought I'd ask the question while it was on my mind.
Guy Croft
Site Admin
Posts: 5039
Joined: June 18th, 2006, 9:31 am
Location: Bedford, UK
Contact:

Re: switching from 1 balanced component to another

Post by Guy Croft »

OK, sure, this one.

Unless you can get a sprung paddle clutch of the requisite torque capacity - in which case FW will need complete machining and whole crank,fw, clutch assy re-balanced (and anyway paddle clutch are also pretty harsh) you're stuck with it.

GC
Attachments
Tilton twinplate drive engaged.jpg
Tilton twinplate drive engaged.jpg (107.66 KiB) Viewed 10268 times
cantfindausername
Posts: 306
Joined: July 19th, 2006, 6:07 pm
Location: Crawley, West Sussex
Contact:

Re: switching from 1 balanced component to another

Post by cantfindausername »

Yes Guy... thats the one alright.

Do you think that getting some less "grabby" friction plates would be the most feasible way around it?

Ant
Guy Croft
Site Admin
Posts: 5039
Joined: June 18th, 2006, 9:31 am
Location: Bedford, UK
Contact:

Re: switching from 1 balanced component to another

Post by Guy Croft »

You won't get any, all single/twin/triple plate 7.25 (and smaller) are like that,

GC
cantfindausername
Posts: 306
Joined: July 19th, 2006, 6:07 pm
Location: Crawley, West Sussex
Contact:

Re: switching from 1 balanced component to another

Post by cantfindausername »

Oh right. I thought it was the friction meterial (ceremetallic) that dictated the verocity of the bite?
Guy Croft
Site Admin
Posts: 5039
Joined: June 18th, 2006, 9:31 am
Location: Bedford, UK
Contact:

Re: switching from 1 balanced component to another

Post by Guy Croft »

Yes, but all single/multiplate clutches like that all use sintered or cerametallic facings and the have more-or-less identical frictional (and, importantly - wear) characteristics. Indeed paddle clutches do too.

Given that the facings have the same frictional (mu) value the capacity depends principally on the clamp load from the cover and the frictional diameter. These type facings are very hard and 'snatchy', and so they don't slip much compared with the organic facings used on conventional style clutches. Indeed if you slip them they burn out quite quickly, they are a 'drop and go' race design. Moreover your clutch has no torsion springs to absorb the shock load as the system engages.

My view is that you may have to go with it and get used to it. The GpB Ford Escort RS200 with Hart 16v turbo mounted in the back ran a triple plate so you're in good company.


GC
cantfindausername
Posts: 306
Joined: July 19th, 2006, 6:07 pm
Location: Crawley, West Sussex
Contact:

Re: switching from 1 balanced component to another

Post by cantfindausername »

Thanks Guy. That definately cleared up a lot of the differences between the clutch types.

thank you,
Ant
pastaroni34
Posts: 58
Joined: June 26th, 2006, 10:53 am
Location: Texas, USA
Contact:

Re: switching from 1 balanced component to another

Post by pastaroni34 »

If you want a Tilton that will allow for some slip you buy a carbon/carbon clutch. They are very good at what they do, just outside most folks' budget.
Other than that, its like Guy said!
-Jason Miller
Miller's Mule Machine and Design Inc.
Houston, Texas - USA
cantfindausername
Posts: 306
Joined: July 19th, 2006, 6:07 pm
Location: Crawley, West Sussex
Contact:

Re: switching from 1 balanced component to another

Post by cantfindausername »

So carbon is more "slipable" than the ceramettalic plates?
cantfindausername
Posts: 306
Joined: July 19th, 2006, 6:07 pm
Location: Crawley, West Sussex
Contact:

Re: switching from 1 balanced component to another

Post by cantfindausername »

Just had a look at Tiltons site, and it doesn't look like they do them for the 7.5" rally clutch.
Guy Croft
Site Admin
Posts: 5039
Joined: June 18th, 2006, 9:31 am
Location: Bedford, UK
Contact:

Re: switching from 1 balanced component to another

Post by Guy Croft »

Ant,

all clutches burn & thus lose material if you slip them deliberately, the thinner the friction layer the shorter the life....

G
cantfindausername
Posts: 306
Joined: July 19th, 2006, 6:07 pm
Location: Crawley, West Sussex
Contact:

Re: switching from 1 balanced component to another

Post by cantfindausername »

surely there would be a difference in wear rates though?

I'm pretty sure I've exhausted all options of changing components on the specific clutch I have fitted. As such, if I want to change clutch I'll have to do flywheel as well, and also get a new bell housing and slave cylinder too.

Best I get used to this one me thinks!
Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 33 guests