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What race clutch do you use.


Gfaules

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For years I have used puck clutches in all of my pro sedans and they simply CAN NOT be blown up. (I know there are exceptions to the rules.) But with thousands of hours in cars that win, they have ultimately been bullet proof. Speaking of Bullet proof... I am building a 65 Mustang to go run the La Carrera Panamericana in Mexico with and the engine will be around 500 hp so I am doing some research to see what you guys are using. I spoke to the tech department at McLeod and they have me convinced to buy an aluminum flywheel and a specific clutch package. I must say I was surprised to learn how expensive a clutch is these days. For the flywheel, clutch and pressure plate it will be roughly around $1500. so lets hear what you guys use.

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Quarter Master Extreme-V 8.5" clutch and aluminum flywheel. It's got a lot of races on it and I've only had to replace the throwout bearing in three years.

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Todd & Mark,

 

Do you know how the price compares to the Mcloed and what kind of HP are you running?

 

The QM clutch is able to handle around 600 hp. I'm not sure on the price as of lately because I haven't had to buy one. I'd check with Dave Wheeler at http://www.advance_motorsports.com (I think) on the price for it. I'm fairly sure it is cheaper than the Mcleod though.

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Mark - how is the engagement on the 8.5" clutch? What would you compare it to? I've run the 7.25" and it's basically an on/off switch. Not recommended for driving cars on and off the trailer.

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Todd & Mark,

 

Do you know how the price compares to the Mcloed and what kind of HP are you running?

 

The QM clutch is able to handle around 600 hp. I'm not sure on the price as of lately because I haven't had to buy one. I'd check with Dave Wheeler at http://www.advance_motorsports.com (I think) on the price for it. I'm fairly sure it is cheaper than the Mcleod though.

 

Thanks Marc. I would like to give them a call but I can't seem to get the web address you posted to work. Are these clutches multiple plate type clutches and are they as simple as any other clutch and in a worst case scenario can I simply replace it with any stock clutch if I was out of town?

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Mark - how is the engagement on the 8.5" clutch? What would you compare it to? I've run the 7.25" and it's basically an on/off switch. Not recommended for driving cars on and off the trailer.

Mark, I use the same 8.5 "extreme V" clutch but in a twin disc version and have been very please with the ratio of drivability vs. lightweight. As for driving the car on the trailer, it will tolerate some slippage but once the clutch gets hot it becomes less manageable. The biggest benefit I see using the 8.5 is the fact that you don't need a hyd. clutch. The stock 5.0 cable system (w/ an aluminum quadrant) will work fine and pedal pressure isn't excessive.

Note: If anyone does install a twin disc version be sure to check the clearance between the housing the throw out bearing rides on and the outside disc. Mine had about a .125" interference resulting in insufficient clutch disengagement.

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Todd & Mark,

 

Do you know how the price compares to the Mcloed and what kind of HP are you running?

 

The QM clutch is able to handle around 600 hp. I'm not sure on the price as of lately because I haven't had to buy one. I'd check with Dave Wheeler at http://www.advance_motorsports.com (I think) on the price for it. I'm fairly sure it is cheaper than the Mcleod though.

 

Thanks Marc. I would like to give them a call but I can't seem to get the web address you posted to work. Are these clutches multiple plate type clutches and are they as simple as any other clutch and in a worst case scenario can I simply replace it with any stock clutch if I was out of town?

 

Sorry on the link. Try this. http://www.advanced-autosports.com/HomePage.htm

The 8.5 is much more "slippable". I have been driving the car on to the trailer for years without any troubles. It's a single disk puck design using a sintered iron material (sp?) I use a stock clutch cable and only have to shorten the travel a bit by using a stop on the pedal to avoid over extending it. They are pretty simple, but don't expect to find a replacement at your local Autozone. I keep a spare disk and a throwout bearing (of course a clutch cable like all other Mustang owners do) in the trailer. I have yet to replace any parts on the flywheel, or the pressure plate.

And for any cynics out there, yes my car is in their catalog, but honestly the clutch and transmission in my car have been the only "bullet proof" piece I have on it. The flywheel and clutch are the original prototype that we used to test many many years ago. I used to replace the clutch disk twice a year with the stock Cobra ones. I always separated the clutch disk material from the plate.

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Todd & Mark,

 

Do you know how the price compares to the Mcloed and what kind of HP are you running?

 

The QM clutch is able to handle around 600 hp. I'm not sure on the price as of lately because I haven't had to buy one. I'd check with Dave Wheeler at http://www.advance_motorsports.com (I think) on the price for it. I'm fairly sure it is cheaper than the Mcleod though.

 

Thanks Marc. I would like to give them a call but I can't seem to get the web address you posted to work. Are these clutches multiple plate type clutches and are they as simple as any other clutch and in a worst case scenario can I simply replace it with any stock clutch if I was out of town?

 

Sorry on the link. Try this. http://www.advanced-autosports.com/HomePage.htm

The 8.5 is much more "slippable". I have been driving the car on to the trailer for years without any troubles. It's a single disk puck design using a sintered iron material (sp?) I use a stock clutch cable and only have to shorten the travel a bit by using a stop on the pedal to avoid over extending it. They are pretty simple, but don't expect to find a replacement at your local Autozone. I keep a spare disk and a throwout bearing (of course a clutch cable like all other Mustang owners do) in the trailer. I have yet to replace any parts on the flywheel, or the pressure plate.

And for any cynics out there, yes my car is in their catalog, but honestly the clutch and transmission in my car have been the only "bullet proof" piece I have on it. The flywheel and clutch are the original prototype that we used to test many many years ago. I used to replace the clutch disk twice a year with the stock Cobra ones. I always separated the clutch disk material from the plate.

 

Mark, Yes that link works so I'll take a look at it and give them a call. Thanks again.

 

I am building an old school Mustang. A 1965 GT350 (clone) since I can not run my 1968 GT500 (real) in the race in Mexico because 1965 if the newest that can run. Besides, my 68 is too cherry to chop up and install the 10 point cage that I had done and more. The rules also do not allow me to use the late model 5 speeds so I am running a top loader. I have also opted to use mechanical clutch linkage instead of hydraulic or cable simply because it's almost indestructible. I was wondering about Cobra clutches simply because I see a lot of them advertised but you have already answered that question.

 

Today I installed an entire new wiring harness from headlight all the way to taillight and everything in between. It came out cherry. Of course I haven't installed the battery yet. LOL.

 

My little car isn't as big engined as most of you guys but it is going to be fast and a slot car.

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Sounds interesting. Good luck with the build and keep us updated!

 

Mark,

 

I have a blog if anyone is interested in a daily (almost) diary of sorts. The entire build as well as the race thru Mexico is being documented and filmed in stop motion. It's more than likely going to be aired on the Speed Channel.

 

http://lacarrera2007.blogspot.com/

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Your car sounds similar to the one Frank Currie built a few years ago for that race. I never kept up with how they did in the race. Sounds like a crazy event from what I've heard.

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Your car sounds similar to the one Frank Currie built a few years ago for that race. I never kept up with how they did in the race. Sounds like a crazy event from what I've heard.

 

Very similar in many ways. The car you are reffering too met with some unfortunate circumstances. He was on the main highway with lots of spectators and hit some oil laid down by the car in front of him. Then he spun out of control and went into the spectators who had no protection. When the car finally came to rest it had crushed a nurse into an ambulance and as a result she lost both her legs.

 

In Mexico everyone is required to have Mexican insurance as well as your American insurance and they take these accidents very serious even though they are the ones who sanction this race. Things happen at a much slower pace there than here and the investigation took over 6 months before they finally released his car back to him. Now there is a charity that has been set up to raise money to support the nurse.

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