Clutches?

markmark · Post by **markmark** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 1:58 pm

I'm fitting a new clutch to my Manx Clone. I was thinking of fitting a stage 1 Kennedy pressure plate with a Kushlok disc. What are they like?

Tom-Kathleen · Post by **Tom-Kathleen** » Sat Feb 16, 2008 2:25 pm

The clutch pedal will be stiffer than stock, but not bad. If you have a high horse power engine, but don't have a really beefed up transaxle, it will act as a cushion to help the transaxle live longer. It is a nice compromise between a stock clutch & a race clutch. My opinion is based on street and drag race usage. Some of the off road guys may want to add thier thoughts. Tom

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 2:11 am

I have always run a Daikin "Super Disk" with a stock Daikin pressure plate in my buggys. They are a little easier on the transaxle and the tires will slip before the clutch will. I have run a 12.55 1/4 mile on this setup. The problem you run into with heavier pressure plates is the fact that the cable and the guide tube will wear prematurely.

Lee · Post by **Lee** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:03 am

"Some of the off road guys may want to add thier thoughts." I like the stock clutch for stock (or near stock) engines. I would rather have the clutch slip than to bust a CV joint if I hook the back tires in a rut or on a stairstep. I do run a better disc which is supposed to handle high heat from slipping the clutch better, but the pressure plate is stock. Higher HP engines could really use a pressure plate with greater than stock clamping force. Just remember that the driveline is only as strong as its weakest link.

fubar · Post by **fubar** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 5:57 pm

I agree with Lee. Stock good quality clutches seem to come apart less frequently too. Less expensive to upgrade than a transaxle if you end up with a slipage issue. In my glass buggy I tried a full disc (non puck) solid ( no springs) with a stock plate that I am pretty happy with. I forget the brand name. It is nice for street driving because you can slip it on hills etc without chatter.

markmark · Post by **markmark** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 2:25 am

It seems like the consensus here is that a stock pressure plate with a solid clutch disc is the best set up. I'm only running a 1641cc so I probably don't really need the extra clamping force. A friend of mine (who has a shop that builds off road racers) was the one telling me to go with the Kennedy pressure plate. The cars he builds have a lot more horse power than mine and probably need the extra clamping force.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 5:03 am

[FONT=Comic Sans MS]Kennedy clutches come from stock to extreme. you can review their products @[/FONT] http://www.kennedyeng.com. I ran a stage 1 with my 1776 with a stock IRS Tranny, but had troubles keeping the engine alive on steep climbs, almost cooked a clutch. Ask Kathleen from Lone Pine Run, now I am running a stage 2 with the bus tranny, for steep climbs. no more revving and slipping the clutch a 3 speed tranny with a granny gear. Depends on the size of the motor and the type of terrain you will drive in.

5150bossman · Post by **5150bossman** » Sun Feb 24, 2008 7:35 pm

We run a Kennedy Stage-1 set-up with our 1776 motor with no problems. Only issue was the stock thowout bearing carrier inside the tranny bell housing snapped an arm off after about 4 years of use. I have since upgraded to a HD carrier shaft.