Okay, everyone who launches is worried about burning up their clutch right?? So to eliminate the worry they go out and buy a upgraded one like an exedy, etc. I was just wondering if the upgraded clutch is worth the extra strain on the drivetrain?? Now that the clutch wont slip and burn, all the power goes straight to the tranny/tcase doesn't it? Would that mean that it would cause more harm to those parts than regular?? It's just me, but I think I'd rather have to buy a few clutches than a new tranny, anyone correct me if im wrong though. P.S. How much is labor on a clutch anyway??

 

you pretty much have it right.

 

good question wondering this myself

 

I currently run the exedy twin hd. The difference is really night and day from the stock clutch and totally worth the $1600. With that said, you do have to be a little more cautious in launching the car because of the added shock to the drive train.

As for the cost of the clutch installation, I did mine myself. However, I can tell you it will be at least $500 to have someone else do it because of the incredible labor involved.

All total, per install, you are looking at ~$800 for the clutch, $60 new throw-out bearing, ~$40 for drivetrain fluids, $500 for labor. Total of about $1400. If you go through two clutches, you have already bought a new TC, which is normally the first to go of the drivetrain with a stouter clutch...

 

Hence the double edged sword of AWD. Great in theory, but for the real drag racer you will always be breaking one or the other.

 

Launching is too hard on the car in my opinion to be done all the time. I feel fortunate to have 25k miles on my stock clutch and still holding. Still, I have money saved for a new clutch just in case. I will go with something mild to ensure longer tc life etc. I don't drive my car hard.

 

Lauching = drive train damage somewhere down the line.

If you think that buying multiple clutches will solve your problem then you realisticly going to be paying for the clutch and a minimum (for a good shop) to install on $800 just for labor each time.

Do yourself a favor and buy the exedy and learn how to launch and cause it to slip you will be fine. Its not like the exedy or any upgraded clutch for that matter just grabs it and sends 100% shock through the drive train, the pill is in there for a reason.

 

Ok, so what is being said is that it's better to run something like a stage 1 or 2 clutch that will still split the shock between the drivetrain and the clutch, rather than running OEM that will let the clutch take most of the abuse right?? What would be a proper clutch to upgrade to once mine is gone? I'm at about 340whp (mustang) should i go with a exedy stage 1 organic clutch or a stage 2 cerametallic clutch??

 

Preload your tranny on the launch is the key to longer lasting drive train parts.

 

What do you mean preload my tranny??

 

ie: dont dump the clutch

preload tranny means slip the clutch when launching.

 

It seems like the stock transmission is pretty stout. Correct me if I'm wrong but I think there's members here with 500+ AWHP running on the stock drive train with good clutches. If you launch it right I think the stock drivetrain has what it takes to take the additional torque.

 

Could holding the e-brake and slipping the clutch just a little to preload the drivetrain be an ok idea?

 

I was kind of wondering about the e-brake launch too. I read up about it somewhere earlier today..