So I have a question. I havent called the tech dept. of either products parent company, as I cant talk right now (lost my voice as a combo of talking too much and an ear infection that spread to my vocal cords) and they only have tech lines, really.
So I put a Ram HD clutch in my car (the $179 special) and let it break in for about 1k miles. the flywheel is not stock, its a Fidanza aluminum, and I ordered the replacement friction steel for it. I run the clutch nicely for about 1k miles, then gave her hell. it slips, really pissing me off. so I pulled it after not being able to talk to ram (they dont answer their tech line) and calling a local Mustang shop, I bought a replacement on their recommendation. They pretty much said that clutch is not right, you need a stronger one. I kinda agree, but hated the way the Ram drove anyways. it wasnt much better than the drag clutch I was replacing. brutal, more or less. when I pulled it, I could see that the surface of the flywheel was glazed so well I could see myself in it in places. The pressure plate was definitely torqued down correctly, as you could see where the paint was crushed off on the surfaces that touch, and I used brake cleaner to get everything super clean before install. hardly any grease on the TO bearing, the pilot bearing and splines. just a film, enough to lube, not enough to sling.
So I put a second clutch in, the one I should have ordered before all this. I also ordered up a new friction surface for the flywheel, as the Ram one was done for, more or less. Their cheap too!! I put the Centerforce Dual Friction in, again surgically clean with brake cleaner (two fellow gearheads can attest to how clean) hardly any grease on the TO bearing, the pilot bearing and splines.(used Ford TO bearing too)just a film, enough to lube, not enough to sling. I also hit the friction surface of the flywheel with 100 grit sandpaper this time to help the clutch grab better. I let it break in for 500 city miles (instructions state 450-600 in town miles) This one slips as well!!! now Im really frustrated, and half tempted to put a cheap stock flywheel in there and talk to Centerforce to see if I really need a new clutch disk (it only slipped twice) and put the POS together. I havent torn into it yet. heres my theory. the packaging of the frictions from Fidanza say they are hardened steel. I wonder if they are too hard for the clutch to "bed" into? Or maybe the aluminum flywheel doesnt let it get hot enough to properly break in? both times I have taken it out, there is not any oil contamination of the clutch whatsoever, and no hot spots either. I also dont wanna get rid of the aluminum flywheel at this point, but if it is the problem, then im okay with that.
Also, all torque specs and adjustment procedures were followed, and the clutch and flywheel have ARP bolts in them.
So I put a Ram HD clutch in my car (the $179 special) and let it break in for about 1k miles. the flywheel is not stock, its a Fidanza aluminum, and I ordered the replacement friction steel for it. I run the clutch nicely for about 1k miles, then gave her hell. it slips, really pissing me off. so I pulled it after not being able to talk to ram (they dont answer their tech line) and calling a local Mustang shop, I bought a replacement on their recommendation. They pretty much said that clutch is not right, you need a stronger one. I kinda agree, but hated the way the Ram drove anyways. it wasnt much better than the drag clutch I was replacing. brutal, more or less. when I pulled it, I could see that the surface of the flywheel was glazed so well I could see myself in it in places. The pressure plate was definitely torqued down correctly, as you could see where the paint was crushed off on the surfaces that touch, and I used brake cleaner to get everything super clean before install. hardly any grease on the TO bearing, the pilot bearing and splines. just a film, enough to lube, not enough to sling.
So I put a second clutch in, the one I should have ordered before all this. I also ordered up a new friction surface for the flywheel, as the Ram one was done for, more or less. Their cheap too!! I put the Centerforce Dual Friction in, again surgically clean with brake cleaner (two fellow gearheads can attest to how clean) hardly any grease on the TO bearing, the pilot bearing and splines.(used Ford TO bearing too)just a film, enough to lube, not enough to sling. I also hit the friction surface of the flywheel with 100 grit sandpaper this time to help the clutch grab better. I let it break in for 500 city miles (instructions state 450-600 in town miles) This one slips as well!!! now Im really frustrated, and half tempted to put a cheap stock flywheel in there and talk to Centerforce to see if I really need a new clutch disk (it only slipped twice) and put the POS together. I havent torn into it yet. heres my theory. the packaging of the frictions from Fidanza say they are hardened steel. I wonder if they are too hard for the clutch to "bed" into? Or maybe the aluminum flywheel doesnt let it get hot enough to properly break in? both times I have taken it out, there is not any oil contamination of the clutch whatsoever, and no hot spots either. I also dont wanna get rid of the aluminum flywheel at this point, but if it is the problem, then im okay with that.
Also, all torque specs and adjustment procedures were followed, and the clutch and flywheel have ARP bolts in them.
... or i can come drop it off or something. lol.
