| If
you are reading this, you might be in the market for a new clutch,
and if so, you may have discovered there are many options. This
segment was put together to help you choose the right one.
There are many things to consider. First, it is important
that you learn a little something about a clutch. What it
is, what it does and why one clutch might be considered "better"
than another.
When
people ask us for advice, we often hear the phrase "I
just want the best clutch you have". Most customers believe
that if one clutch has a higher power rating than another,
that it somehow means it is better. That is not necessarily
the case.
There
are several reasons you might need to upgrade your clutch.
You have increased the horsepower and torque of the engine,
you may exceed the recommended towing capacity or the truck,
or a combination of both. There is also the group of people
who build up their trucks for competitions like sled pulling
or drag racing.
So
when you have people who just drive their trucks, people who
work with their trucks and people who play with their trucks,
you come to realize that they may all need different types
of clutches. So the question is not "which is your best
clutch?" it becomes "which clutch is best for my
application?".
So
do this. First figure out how much power you truck has. This
may not be as easy as it sounds, because, unless you have
had your truck on a dynamometer, there will be some guess
work involved., It is important to get as close as you can.
Many people don't realize that you can over-clutch a system.
A clutch designed to hold 550 hp may not act right in a truck
that only puts out 350 hp to the rear wheels. We often hear
people say that they "might" add more power in the
future. Realize that if you choose a clutch based on that,
and you don't upgrade later, you might end up with parts you're
not happy with.
Next.
Decide what you want to do with your truck. Is it just a daily
mode of transportation? Do you do any towing with it, if so,
to what degree? Do you want to compete with it, if so how
often? What size is your truck? Is it 2 or 4 wheel drive?
Be specific. These are all important factors.
Here
are some general rules:
-
The
hp rating of the clutch should match or slightly exceed
the estimated hp of the truck
-
Any
truck used for competition sled-pulling should use an
SFI approved multi-disc clutch.
-
Trucks
that regularly tow 15,000 lbs or more should use a double
disc clutch designed for the street, regardless of the
hp level.
-
Trucks
that are above the 450 RWHP which are used primarily for
towing should use a street double disc. A full metallic
single disc clutch is likely to engage too aggressively,
especially on 2WD trucks.
-
High
torque clutches often incorporate metallic linings which
may cause an aggressive engagement. This may be even more
apparent when towing.
-
Performance
or high torque clutches may feel, drive or sound different
than the factory system.
Remember, when vehicles are modified beyond their factory
specifications or used above the factory limitations, to the
point where a performance clutch is necessary, things are
going to feel different. By choosing the right clutch for
your application, you can minimize these effects. However,
some of the differences in how a clutch feels or sounds may
be necessary to make the clutch hold and last.
Here
are some unreasonable requests:
-
My
truck puts 800 hp to the ground and I drive it every day
and I want a clutch that doesn't push hard.
-
My
truck only has 400 hp, so I just need a single disc clutch,
but I want to sled pull once in a while.
-
I
pull 20,000 lbs every day but I can't afford a double
disc clutch. How many miles do you think I can get out
of a single disc clutch?
-
This
is the last clutch I ever want to put in my truck.
You need to realize that each clutch has limitations and that
clutches that are built to hold extreme horsepower may not
be the easiest clutch to drive on the street every day. So,
as I said before, you need to decide what you want to do with
your truck and understand that you are responsible for some
of the consequences of trying to do too much.
When
you are buying a clutch, keep on thing in mind. No clutch
is indestructible. No matter who made it or what it is rated
for, you can destroy it in a hurry if you don't use it properly.
So if you are careful when choosing it and reasonable when
using it, you can get the most out of your clutch. |
