ziggy89

getting ready to swap in my 383 stroker and t56(lt1d style) into one of my cars. have everything pretty much lined out except for the clutch. motor makes around 475 at the crank so going to need more than a stock clutch. this is going in a warm weather daily driver. that being said I don't mind some extra pedal feel but don't want to feel like its leg day at the gym every day. ive been doing some research and think ive narrowed it down to the ram power grip or a spec stage 2. Ive also heard the lt4 corvette clutch might work. so does anybody have any recommendations or first had experience.

naf

iTrader: (7)

the stock style 'valeo' pressure plates can have balance issues and many of the upgraded clutches this use PP. The pp should be neutral balanced and balance holes drilled in the side should be evident. Even if the holes are there, it may not be properly balanced, my experience with one. Or the holes may not be there and it is not balanced, my experience with another. Several threads on LS1 dot com about this issue and there was a TSB.

I wound up with a Sachs c/pp that I'm happy with but my motor is under 400 HP. If you spend the $ you may want to have a shop spin your flywheel/pp assembly before install for the peace of mind. Find a shop that knows what they're doing. A shop local to me spun mine attached to a balanced 1pc RMS crank- crank and flywheel alone were perfect, add PP and not. Charged me $20 just to test. Was an engine shop, not a clutch shop so he wasn't comfortable balancing but he pinpointed the issue.

Before you buy you can also talk to the manufacturer's tech line. Make sure they guarantee the balance of the PP and not that they receive it from another supplier and it 'should' be balanced. Told to me by one tech line.

Lakerman62

iTrader: (3)

my 95 has McLeod street clutch rated for 400 (my car is less), so not much help to ya. It has held up nice when my car is daily driven/some spirited driving. It appeared to be well made product, though

TORN

iTrader: (17)

1 piece or 2 piece rear seal on the motor?

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

I'm running a Ram Powergrip HD on my 383. Probably have about 400 HP. I didn't need the HD, but got my wires crossed and ordered and installed it. As they say in their literature, it's intended for 3.73 or higher. With my old 3.27 I had lots of chatter. I spoke with them and they were extremely helpful and willing to rebuild it for my needs at a much cheaper price than a new clutch kit. .....ended up with 3.42's and they work MUCH better, so I'm keeping it.

Overall great clutch and great customer service, in the event you can't order properly!!! DOH!

ziggy89

Its a one piece

ziggy89

Good to know about customer service from ram. I'm leaning more and more in that direction. Gears shouldn't be a problem it's 3.23 now but when I get a new rear end for the other car that 9" with 4.11s is going in.

Abubaca

iTrader: (3)

....it's the HD clutch that requires the deeper gear ratio. It's good to 650hp and can be a bit grabby....hence the chatter I was feeling. ...the non HD powergrip doesn't have those issues. I think it's good up to 550hp. Give them a buzz and just tell 'em what you're doing. They'll be happy to help.

QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

Ram has a little write up about clutches that will be of interest to you.

https://ramclutches.com/clutch-university-chapter-1

The deceleration issue is no joke. My friend had a Monster clutch explode at 85 mph during a track day due to straps failing in decel. Clutch and flywheel came through the floor; ruined the engine block and crankshaft; destroyed the transmission; and ripped through the exhaust and brake lines.

Personally, I have a strapless, dual disc clutch. Dual disc lightens the pedal effort, reduces rotational inertia, and enables use of less aggressive pad materials so you can slip the clutch in street driving. I also use a steel Quicktime housing with an engine block shield. Not only does it protect my body, but it protects my expensive engine. This is the shizzle you need to think about when you up your game the way you are.

I have a friend that just installed one of those RPS carbon clutches. The flywheel insert is carbon too. The thing can't overheat, doesn't need any break in period, and is smooth as butter. Wish I had one of those but I can't fathom spending $3K on a clutch. Just a personal choice.

ziggy89

that is a good wright up. lots of useful info there.
i guess i hadnt really considered all those things there. i never considered it stepping up my game its basically a spare motor going in a street car. the bell housing would be nice but again street car. im going to drive the car thats about it. maybe hit an auto cross up once a year and the other car is the drag car so i doubt ill be strapping radials to it any time soon.