Track Day Clutch
#1
Evolved Member
Thread Starter
Track Day Clutch
I'm putting a stop to competitive auto x'ing and changing my focus towards HPDE's and local track days(Road Atlanta is 15min from the house!!). My car dyno'd at 346hp and 331 ft/lbs last year. I went overkill and bought an Exedy Twin HD so I could have fun and launch the car at autox events. Well... Spirited daily driving and 30ish hard launches my clutch is now slipping. I first noticed it slipping about 1-2 months ago and its progressively has become worse. I started reading about rebuilding the Exedy and found people talking about "abused" examples are not worth attempting a rebuild. By my standard I assume my clutch has been "abused" properly, not like a jackass. Question is... Is it worth rebuilding for my next step towards track time? Or should I go with a light weight flywheel and a single disk clutch for my next endeavor of road course racing? I feel the exedy is overkill if I'm not launching it, and I feel I could cut some rotational mass by eliminating the twin in exchange for a single. If that is the route I should take then my next question is. What single disk clutches do all the track warrior guys run, who have similar power levels?
Thanks in advance!
CB
Thanks in advance!
CB
#2
Evolved Member
iTrader: (19)
I'm putting a stop to competitive auto x'ing and changing my focus towards HPDE's and local track days(Road Atlanta is 15min from the house!!). My car dyno'd at 346hp and 331 ft/lbs last year. I went overkill and bought an Exedy Twin HD so I could have fun and launch the car at autox events. Well... Spirited daily driving and 30ish hard launches my clutch is now slipping. I first noticed it slipping about 1-2 months ago and its progressively has become worse. I started reading about rebuilding the Exedy and found people talking about "abused" examples are not worth attempting a rebuild. By my standard I assume my clutch has been "abused" properly, not like a jackass. Question is... Is it worth rebuilding for my next step towards track time? Or should I go with a light weight flywheel and a single disk clutch for my next endeavor of road course racing? I feel the exedy is overkill if I'm not launching it, and I feel I could cut some rotational mass by eliminating the twin in exchange for a single. If that is the route I should take then my next question is. What single disk clutches do all the track warrior guys run, who have similar power levels?
Thanks in advance!
CB
Thanks in advance!
CB
Im in a similar situation. The popular choice of an exedy HD twin disk seems like a bit overkill. With my new setup Ill be at your hp levels, maybe a bit more. Since I wont be launching the car or doing much drag racing I was thinking of just a heavier duty clutch like an fx400. I figure if they are rated for upwards of 400 ft lbs that should be more than enough for me, like I said, no launching the car.
Maybe times have changed or awd requires different demands but I remember back in my mr2 days, all the ITA racers were putting in stock clutches over aftermarket cause they wouldnt throw the balance off with harsh engagements of some of the more aggressive 4 puck clutches. The stock allowed some slip which kept the car balanced, or so was the theory.
I really dont feel at my power levels I need a $2k clutch, even though it seems to be the norm on this forum. Any folks on here that track their evo have any input on this Id love to hear it.
#3
Evolved Member
Thread Starter
Im in a similar situation. The popular choice of an exedy HD twin disk seems like a bit overkill. With my new setup Ill be at your hp levels, maybe a bit more. Since I wont be launching the car or doing much drag racing I was thinking of just a heavier duty clutch like an fx400. I figure if they are rated for upwards of 400 ft lbs that should be more than enough for me, like I said, no launching the car.
Maybe times have changed or awd requires different demands but I remember back in my mr2 days, all the ITA racers were putting in stock clutches over aftermarket cause they wouldnt throw the balance off with harsh engagements of some of the more aggressive 4 puck clutches. The stock allowed some slip which kept the car balanced, or so was the theory.
I really dont feel at my power levels I need a $2k clutch, even though it seems to be the norm on this forum. Any folks on here that track their evo have any input on this Id love to hear it.
Maybe times have changed or awd requires different demands but I remember back in my mr2 days, all the ITA racers were putting in stock clutches over aftermarket cause they wouldnt throw the balance off with harsh engagements of some of the more aggressive 4 puck clutches. The stock allowed some slip which kept the car balanced, or so was the theory.
I really dont feel at my power levels I need a $2k clutch, even though it seems to be the norm on this forum. Any folks on here that track their evo have any input on this Id love to hear it.
#7
Evolved Member
iTrader: (55)
depends on what your future power mods are going to be. if you are going to stay below 400 whp, then stock is perfectly fine if you don't launch. you're not hard on the clutch at the track. you don't launch or power shift, and you heel/toe for smooth clutch engagement.
when i purchased my RS, it had about 340 whp and tracked for one season on stock clutch. i pulled the motor out to do some work and decide to replace the clutch and it looked new. i replaced it with an Exedy OEM replacement and did about 25 track days last year. i plan to up the power to about 360 whp and stay on the same clutch. oh, and i did launch my car 3 times at a drag strip and 2 times at autox on the current clutch.
and you would probably get more feed back in the motorsport sections
when i purchased my RS, it had about 340 whp and tracked for one season on stock clutch. i pulled the motor out to do some work and decide to replace the clutch and it looked new. i replaced it with an Exedy OEM replacement and did about 25 track days last year. i plan to up the power to about 360 whp and stay on the same clutch. oh, and i did launch my car 3 times at a drag strip and 2 times at autox on the current clutch.
and you would probably get more feed back in the motorsport sections
Last edited by honda-guy; Feb 5, 2012 at 07:51 AM.
Trending Topics
#8
Evolved Member
iTrader: (24)
I went with the CM FX200 and ACT Streetlite flywheel. My car is used mainly for track days and autox, but I don't launch it at all. So far I'm happy with it, I'll be doing my first trackday with this set-up in the coming weeks. One thing I can say is it takes some adjustment getting used to the way the motor revs with the flywheel when heel-n-toe downshifting.
You really could go either way, rebuild your twin, or sell it and try something else... Up to you.
You really could go either way, rebuild your twin, or sell it and try something else... Up to you.
#9
Evolved Member
iTrader: (19)
Im currently tearing down my engine. Once I get the tc and transmission out I will inspect my 64k mile oem clutch. Here is one I have been considering.
http://www.maperformance.com/exedy-o...-ix-05803.html the HD version is rated at 402 ft lbs of tq. Should be plenty for me at this point.
http://www.maperformance.com/clutchm...o-viii-ix.html here is a clutch masters fx400 puck style. Im not sure why the fx200 is much more than the fx400 on their website? One thing I dont like is CM doesnt put a tq rating on their different clutches, thats why Im leaning towards Exedy.
Would a puck style disc be better for road racing? Sprung vs unsprung?? The sprung styles are easier on the drivetrain but I have heard of the springs popping out and I have been told by some folks that I should go with an unsprung solid disc as there is nothing to pop out and shifts are faster.
The car will be used for road racing and no dd.
http://www.maperformance.com/exedy-o...-ix-05803.html the HD version is rated at 402 ft lbs of tq. Should be plenty for me at this point.
http://www.maperformance.com/clutchm...o-viii-ix.html here is a clutch masters fx400 puck style. Im not sure why the fx200 is much more than the fx400 on their website? One thing I dont like is CM doesnt put a tq rating on their different clutches, thats why Im leaning towards Exedy.
Would a puck style disc be better for road racing? Sprung vs unsprung?? The sprung styles are easier on the drivetrain but I have heard of the springs popping out and I have been told by some folks that I should go with an unsprung solid disc as there is nothing to pop out and shifts are faster.
The car will be used for road racing and no dd.
#10
Evolved Member
Thread Starter
depends on what your future power mods are going to be. if you are going to stay below 400 whp, then stock is perfectly fine if you don't launch. you're not hard on the clutch at the track. you don't launch or power shift, and you heel/toe for smooth clutch engagement.
when i purchased my RS, it had about 340 whp and tracked for one season on stock clutch. i pulled the motor out to do some work and decide to replace the clutch and it looked new. i replaced it with an Exedy OEM replacement and did about 25 track days last year. i plan to up the power to about 360 whp and stay on the same clutch. oh, and i did launch my car 3 times at a drag strip and 2 times at autox on the current clutch.
and you would probably get more feed back in the motorsport sections
when i purchased my RS, it had about 340 whp and tracked for one season on stock clutch. i pulled the motor out to do some work and decide to replace the clutch and it looked new. i replaced it with an Exedy OEM replacement and did about 25 track days last year. i plan to up the power to about 360 whp and stay on the same clutch. oh, and i did launch my car 3 times at a drag strip and 2 times at autox on the current clutch.
and you would probably get more feed back in the motorsport sections
I thought about posting in the motorsport section. Should I open a thread there with a link?
I'm leaning more and more towards OEM style clutches. I'm most likely going to hang onto the Exedy and rebuild it for when I get the hunger for more power {thumb up}
Thanks for the input.
#11
Evolved Member
Thread Starter
I went with the CM FX200 and ACT Streetlite flywheel. My car is used mainly for track days and autox, but I don't launch it at all. So far I'm happy with it, I'll be doing my first trackday with this set-up in the coming weeks. One thing I can say is it takes some adjustment getting used to the way the motor revs with the flywheel when heel-n-toe downshifting.
You really could go either way, rebuild your twin, or sell it and try something else... Up to you.
You really could go either way, rebuild your twin, or sell it and try something else... Up to you.
How is the CM FX200 feel?
thanks
#15
Evolved Member
iTrader: (20)
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Big city, Bright lights
Posts: 2,389
Likes: 0
Received 11 Likes
on
10 Posts
i have had my eye on the carbonetic carbon blade clutch. Curt Brown has run it to 600whp (forget the torque numbers) and he said its the best clutch hes ever had in an evo.