Need a good mechanic in Vegas area for clutch work
 

I live in Hawaii and my car is with my "trusted" brother-in-law in Las Vegas. He took it out for a cruise yesterday and said the clutch just started slipping. The king cobra only has about 1600 mile on it. I can't tell you the details of how it happened, I just have a pretty good feeling of what needs to be done. I need a good mechanic to R/R the clutch and pressure plate. I'm hoping the flywheel is in good shape.

Engine is a SB Winsor. Tranny it s a T-56. What would be a better clutch to go to? Is dual clutch plates "kinda" better or "way" better? Why?

I'll start with this...

Before you get concerned about replacing the clutch, have someone check to make sure it's adjusted correctly.

Once that's verified (along with checking to make sure nothing is leaking to get the clutch disc wet), then I can make this recommendation:

If you have over 600hp, then a twin disc would be a good move. Otherwise, the street manners of a clutch meant to hold 600hp on the street are not all that good.

If you're around 500-550hp, then I have several combinations that will work just fine and will be perfectly streetable.

When dealing with clutches, you have two variables: pressure plate clamping force and clutch friction material. When you have less of one, you need to make it up with more of the other. A low clamping force pressure plate will have a very easy clutch pedal, but you would need a sticky disc to help take up the lack of plate pressure. Conversely, a high clamping force pressure plate will be hard on your leg, but you don't need a sticky disc.

Clutch discs can be made of different materials. The most simplest material is just an organic material. From there it goes to different combinations of organic material, bronze/aluminum, Kevlar, sintered iron, etc., etc. Organic discs give the best street manners; no chatter, etc. As you progress in friction material, the more risk there is for chatter, instant engagement, etc.

What a twin disc does is multiplies the friction coefficient by adding another clutch disc. The McLeod RST kits are rated for 800hp, but they have a relatively easy clutch pedal and organic discs. It's the best scenario for a high horsepower car. No hard pedal to push, no chatter.

Blykins thanks for the info. I had good luck with the feeling of the King Cobra clutch. I asked if there was any fluid under the tranny and he didn't notice any. The car had been sitting for a couple of months, but started right up.

I just want to find a trusted mechanic to give it a once over.

Good Shop
 

I've heard very good things of this shop. Not sure they do clutch work , if not I'm sure they can refer you to a competant shop.

http://csxinfo.net/tomsmotorsports/

You just said the magic words...

A King Cobra clutch won't hold up to the power of a 427 SBF. I would assume you're in the 550hp range....the King Cobra clutch is used almost for a stock replacement on a 302 Mustang. They're rated for 400hp in their best form.

After you mentioned that, I am certain it's not an adjustment or leak issue.

If the shop does not have competitive pricing on parts, let me know. I can drop ship straight to them for installation.

Let me know if I can help. You will need a clutch kit that will work with the power and driveability of the car.

Tom Barnard (702) 651-0708 Works on replica and real cobras. Honest as they come. He can recommend a good replacement unit if needed

Got it. I'm calling Tom.

Brent your right I'm pushing 600 to the tranny (not sure what is coming out). What would you suggest? I'm not really worried about clutch weight (read: the harder it is for my wife to drive the greater the chance I will still have in keeping her from ever driving it!) I have a hydraulic setup and I would discribe the King Cobra as an easy push.

I would offer two options, depending on what you're able to put up with...

If you want a King Cobra like pedal pressure along with 800hp capability, the McLeod RST twin disc would be the best bet. They are $720 (including a new throw out bearing that does not come with the McLeod kit) from me. I would have to know the rest of your setup to see if you can reuse your existing clutch fork. This kit uses organic discs and it would have the driving characteristics of the clutch that you have now, just with a lot more capability.

The other option is a McLeod pressure plate and 800 series clutch disc. This combo would be rated for 600hp. The pedal pressure would be similar to the King Cobra pedal pressure, but the disc is a lot stickier and features a Kevlar material. It's $415 and comes with the pressure plate, disc, and throw out bearing.

RAM has a clutch kit that would probably work as well, but it uses a sintered iron disc and I'm just not a fan of those for a street car. They're a little hard on the flywheels. I'd rather see you stay with a disc that has bronze, aluminum, or Kevlar on it.

If you get a shop's recommendation for a clutch, don't let them advise using a diaphragm pressure plate with a single organic disc, or the use of a Centerforce setup.

Blykins, my brother in law is just geting around to fixing the clutch. His plan is to take it to Tom. I am still trying to figure out which clutch I want to go with.
It is for a 600hp/600tq FSB motor with a steel RAM flywheel, from reading your other post I think the king cobra was not enough, I leaning toward a Mcleod RST is that still a good option?

It sure would be.

At 600hp, you don't have many options and the RAM Powergrip and Powergrip HD start to come into play, even with the aggressive discs. They are about half the price of a RST twin disc.

Tom was driving the wining Cobra at the "Shelby" race at the recent SAAC convention at Sears Point (refuse to call it Infinion). He certainly had the chassis dialed in.

What is the life of the RST and RAMs? Does the RST work with a standard fork/TO bearing? I think mine is the standard one for a T-56.