Clutch HP limits

[DaveG99]

How much hp can the stock clutch take?

 

[me32]

Good question. I would like to know too

 

[DaveG99]

The reason I ask is because I had a 97 eclipse GS that I added a turbo kit to. I burned out the stock clutch in 1 day. Im sure the stock clutch on this car is pretty stout though.

 

[duramaxin14]

To my understanding the stock clutch has been to 425who and it's still going strong I maybe wrong though

 

[Hijinx]

Horsepower is the result of torque over time (rpm). The torque is what kills the clutch. With that said, Dead Hook Motorsports was the car making 425whp. He was launching at over 4krpm and the clutch was taking it well. Another DHM car was making about 360whp (@fearthesnail) and he holds the FiST 1/4 record and his clutch is holding up fine. While my car was making around 300whp, I was launching at 4krpm and now the car is making even more power than that. My clutch is fine. Our clutch is supposedly made by a reliable racing company, I can't remember the name off the top of my head right now. But they are definitely stout.

 

[DaveG99]

Horsepower is the result of torque over time (rpm). The torque is what kills the clutch. With that said, Dead Hook Motorsports was the car making 425whp. He was launching at over 4krpm and the clutch was taking it well. Another DHM car was making about 360whp (@fearthesnail) and he holds the FiST 1/4 record and his clutch is holding up fine. While my car was making around 300whp, I was launching at 4krpm and now the car is making even more power than that. My clutch is fine. Our clutch is supposedly made by a reliable racing company, I can't remember the name off the top of my head right now. But they are definitely stout.

Thats good to know.

 

[RAAMaudio]

I have a brand new Spec clutch and aluminum flywheel I have not yet installed that I am not sure I want to at times as the stock clutch is so good I am more interested in the flywheel than the clutch.

 

[wspec]

I have a brand new Spec clutch and aluminum flywheel I have not yet installed that I am not sure I want to at times as the stock clutch is so good I am more interested in the flywheel than the clutch.

If you are just thinking about flywheel, I have been thinking about going this route as well. Since the stock clutch seems to be enough for me, http://www.pumaspeed.com/product-Fiesta-ST180-Lightweight-Racing-Flywheel---Single-Mass_16637.jsp

It's a touch heavier than the spec but you get to keep the stock clutch

 

[RAAMaudio]

Thanks, looks like a good solution and not a bad price either.

I am doing some research as only had two turbo cars before, one had an aluminum flywheel and one was stock as nothing available but totally different cars, response, etc......

From what I have seen, a bit of load like going up a hill spools up the turbo faster so I am wondering how much a lightweight flywheel might slow the spool which is opposite of what I am after.

Of course I am concerned with a dual mass flywheel coming apart eventually.....

 

[wspec]

Thanks, looks like a good solution and not a bad price either.

I am doing some research as only had two turbo cars before, one had an aluminum flywheel and one was stock as nothing available but totally different cars, response, etc......

From what I have seen, a bit of load like going up a hill spools up the turbo faster so I am wondering how much a lightweight flywheel might slow the spool which is opposite of what I am after.

Of course I am concerned with a dual mass flywheel coming apart eventually.....

That is true about increased loading spooling up the turbo faster, but you can think of that as more of a consolation prize more than a benefit. Going up a hill makes your turbo spool faster, also adding 500lbs in the boot will make it spool faster as well, ... but neither of which actually improves overall performance.

 

[RAAMaudio]

I know, just wishful thinking I guess as I have a limited amount of time, have to buy a few tools, etc to swap it out as no longer have a shop so using my daughters poorly lite garage....buying tools I have in storage already kind of sucks.....having serious knee issues for months on end does as well.

 

[jfdana]

When I was having my Quaife installed (after a dyno tune) I looked into a new clutch. I talked with EdgeAutosport and, to their credit, after asking about HP and, more importantly TQ, they recommended staying with the stock clutch.

It has worked well ever since and I have no worries.