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Dual Friction Clutch?

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Old 01-24-2003, 05:16 PM
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Car: 1998 Ram Air Trans am
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Dual Friction Clutch?

I need to replace my clutch this spring on my 87 GTA its got a 305, I was thinking of getting a dual friction clutch and putting in an aluminum flywheel when i put it in. I was just wondering if anyone had any experience with them and if they are actually better than a stock one from GM. Any suggestions are appreciated
Old 01-24-2003, 10:02 PM
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I believe they used them in the ZF equipped Vette's. They were only used though to reduce the noise output on the transmission. If they were a better idea my guess would be that they would have used it in other models too...
Old 01-24-2003, 10:19 PM
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I have the Centerforce Dual Friction clutch in my car. This is the second one of them that I've had. I really like them. It's the smoothest, easiest to drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic that I've ever had; but it hooks up solid like a piece of metal when I want to stand on the gas. I've had B-W, Ram, McLeod, Hays, and some others, all of which were excellent products that have given me good service and long life; but I highly recommned the CF DF.

Whatever you do, resist the temptation to go with the "low bid". If you buy the cheeepest thing you can find, you end up with....... the cheeeeepest thing you can find. Imagine that.
Old 01-24-2003, 10:54 PM
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Another vote for the Centerforce DF..best one I have had to date..among Hays,McCleod,Ram,Brute Force,Hays..you name it.Same experiences with the DF as RB..I also recommend it.Just make sure you follow the 500 mile break in recommendation from Centerforce..people that don't are usually the ones that give this clutch the bad rap.
Old 01-25-2003, 12:22 AM
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Car: 1998 Ram Air Trans am
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I heard that the centerforce clutches are real soft. I like a stiffer clutch but i want something that will hold as good as the centerforce and suggestions i heard mcleod is pretty good. I know a centerforce is like $279 how much does a mcleod go for?
Old 01-25-2003, 08:28 AM
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If you want a good clutch, buy a McLeod. They are a little firmer than a centerforce, they grab better and don't slip. I've had lots of bad luck with centerforce. We had a car come into the shop last month that had gone through 3 centerforce clutches. We sold him a McLeod and he's had no problems since. I can get you one for less than you'll pay for a Centerforce. If you're interested, let me know.
Old 01-25-2003, 01:22 PM
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3 centerforce's huh? did he break them in correctly? I doubt it. People with performance cars can't resist nailling it on a new clutch.

McLeod's clutch comperable to a centerforce is about 500.00, did you sell him that? or the 160.00 valeo setup they sell?

I never tried the centerforce, perhaps one day I'd like to. I went with a Ram 6 padal clutch, and a 1500lb plate. It chatters like a bastid when you slip it, so its not very good in traffic..

Kevin runs 12's on his centerfoce, and loves it. so.

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Old 01-25-2003, 03:12 PM
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Im problably not going to get one until spring like around april cause i need to save for the flywheel im still a student dont make a whole lot of cash. How much does a mcCleod usually go for and how much can you get it for Nastybird
Old 01-25-2003, 06:09 PM
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Just stating my opinions based on what I see on a daily basis, anesthes.

gtaguy, I'll send you a PM with some prices on Monday.
Old 01-26-2003, 12:17 AM
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Car: '91 Camaro RS
Engine: F1R Procharged 383
Transmission: Tremec 600
Axle/Gears: moser 12 bolt, 4.11's 33 spline axl
My centerforce has given me nothing but what i asked of it so far....i took the time and broke it in right on a brand new ram billet flywheel, and then i started hammering on it....it has about 15 passes on it from last season, it grabs like a **** and its as tame as a kitten in traffic. Nice pedal pressure really, not to hard not to soft.....but with a hydraulic clutch your not really gonna have the kinda clutch feel you get with a 'stang anyways.

Its strange cause almost everyone that has had a centerforce dual friction 2 (theres a difference between that and the regular dual friction) loves them. and there are a few people that claim they are junk....as with just about every part there is though. If your gonna drive the car on the street and see some strip duty i highly recommend the centerforce
Old 01-26-2003, 09:45 AM
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You're not going to get the feel of a 'stang clutch? How is a stang clutch supposed to feel?
Old 01-26-2003, 10:52 AM
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The stangs use a cable assembly. We've installed high lbs pressure plates on mustangs and had the owner really upset over pedal effort.

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Old 01-26-2003, 11:24 AM
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Car: '91 Camaro RS
Engine: F1R Procharged 383
Transmission: Tremec 600
Axle/Gears: moser 12 bolt, 4.11's 33 spline axl
like anesthe said, a mustang clutch has greater "feel" because they are not hydraulic, the clutch fork is actuated by a cable that is attached to a clutch quadrant. there is a direct mechanical link between the pedal and the clutch itself.

unfortunately this is usually also accompanied by leg breaking pedal pressure on aftermarket clutches. a good friend of mine has a pretty well built stang....and driving it in traffic requires quite a bit of leg strength.

Last edited by 383backinblack; 01-27-2003 at 08:59 AM.
Old 01-27-2003, 12:13 AM
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CF DF the way to go, highly refined, smooth, linear, light pedal, and holds like it has glue on it. I've tried some others especially when i was short on cash, i was always sorry.
Old 01-27-2003, 09:48 AM
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Car: 1982 Z28
Engine: 355
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 12 Bolt
Centerforce DF and mechanical clutch linkage..and pedal pressure is less than stock replacement clutch I had in with old 350.If a Centerforce DF is too much pressure with a cable or mechanical linkage...get an automatic.Perfect pressure in stop and go 60 mile drive to and from work when I drive it there..but just right when stood on if I get aggresive.Like a few others have said..the bad rap on the Centerforces come from owners who don't break them in for the 500 miles and expect them to last thru the first burnout or launch.Usually the same guys who wipe out cams in fresh motors cause they had no time to break it in before the beat on the car.
Old 01-27-2003, 11:49 AM
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I have a cf dual friction in my vette the one thing to make sure you do is get the geometry right when intalling. I did not and have had some problems with getting it adjusted properly. You may need an adj pivot ball/stud to get it properly aligned. I am swapping in a t-5 and will follow the directions this time.
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