Zerocyde

So my car is an '88 base Camaro that came with the LO3 tbi 305 and T5 (apparently WC based off of the numbers).

Two years ago I swapped in a freshly built 355. Basically stock shortblock with nice aluminium heads, Thumpr cam, Edelbrock rpm air gap intake, and 650 Holley double pumper.

It's got craploads of power now and as of the last few months I can feel the clutch slipping when I gun it in third. I'm now ready to upgrade the clutch, and want one that is strong enough to handle the extra power and my lead foot.

First off, any direct recommendations would be awesome, but aside from that, I need to know HOW to choose the right clutch. What about "input spline quantity" and "input shaft diameter"? Are these Chevy specific things? Are they specific to my tranny? Are the numbers common among our cars or do I need to get under there and find out? Does it matter that I used my old bell-housing from the 305?

Any help would be awesome!

dabomb6608

iTrader: (3)

Not sure where to direct you for what to get in terms of what your looking for, but the sizes are 1 1/8 in. Diameter Shaft, 26-Spline, 10.4 in. Diameter Disc. When I look I just go to summit and put in my car year/make/model and it finds the correct size clutchs.

SLEEPER 86

Not sure about todays aftermarket, but I put together a very expensive long style clutch for a similar setup years ago. It lasted 3 months. I replaced it with an OEM diaphragm style setup and it lasted as long as I owned the car (5 years, and I thrashed it).
Don't sell the factory stuff short when it comes to clutches!

plum92_camaro

My 92 camaro has a L03, T5wc, 3.42posi drivetrain and when I put on some BFG drag radials the stock clutch (which was in excelent condition) would slip and smoke horribly when i'd try to launch it. I upgraded to a Centerforce dual friction clutch. no more problems and loving the 60' times! Not sure I'd try it with a powerful 355 in front of the T5 though.

Zerocyde

Jegs showed me 10.5 in. diameter discs as also being compatible. Is this true?

Jupiter

iTrader: (1)

Keep in mind that a glazed flywheel will cause slippage as well so make sure to clean that flywheel up. Maybe have it resurfaced and balanced if needed.

I say this as i am reminded when i let my two boys learn to drive the car, they glazed the flywheel up pretty quickly while learning the clutch. When i took it apart the flywheel was WELL glazed and the clutch disk still had plenty of meat on it.

subroc

iTrader: (2)

If your wondering about what brands to look for thats going to be a tough one because everyone has their opinions as to what is a good brand of aftermarket clutch and what is not. I only have first hand experience with RAM clutches and i can say that my RAM is holding up awesome behind my high compression 355. It grips real hard and has not slipped once.

Zerocyde

What do you guys think of these two?

Centerforce

McLeod

plum92_camaro

My centerforce dual friction withstands redline launches on drag radials. As i said my stock clutch COULD NOT handle the drag radials at all. I have no knowledge or experience with McLeod. I've had spec clutches recommended to me.

abray1

I bought a Fidanza flywheel and the stock valeo clutch in my ZR-1 and it holds 430 RWH.

anesthes

iTrader: (12)

How many mid 10 second passes do you think I'd go on a OEM clutch??


Zerocyde: A veleo sourced pressure plate, and a new disc with ceramic facing on one side.

I'm using an SFI approved flywheel, since I like my feet (we've been together for a long time) and an explosion proof bell housing. I'm running a 168 tooth flywheel which is easier to crank over.

-- Joe

abray1

Lingenfelter reccomended and installed a Fidanza Flywheel and a stock valeo clutch for the 415 ZR-1s and they make over 600RWHP and hold the record (or used to) for 0-150-0 23 seconds I think. A viper was second. This was in the late 90s when I was finishing my car. I still have the same clutch set-up in my ZR-1

86Z

iTrader: (4)

Centerforce dual friction, drag radials out back 380/420 rwhp/tq smooth as butter no slipping...

Dyno Don

iTrader: (7)

This is what I use in my car with 500 FWHP 6000 RPM launches.
Pressure plate
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mcl-360709
Disc
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mcl-260571

Most Kits have a 10.4 disc
This setup uses a 10.950 disc (almost 11") but bolts on a 10.5 bolt pattern.
It uses special bolts included with pressure plate.
That's 1/2" larger area (in diameter than stock).

You won't find it as a kit.