Modified Performance Clutches

The Following Company's don't stamp out clutch covers and clutch discs, but claim to manufacturer racing clutches. How can that be? They must manufacture something, but it's not clutch discs and clutch covers. Maybe they use contract manufacturing someplace else? Maybe they import new clutches manufactured in China? Some company's manufacture clutch paddles and other parts that go with a disc or cover. They still use the original clutch hub & pressure plate and make modifications. Maybe they re-manufacture original clutches.

Performance clutches that all of these company's sell have one main thing in common; Drivability Issues - You will experience some or all of the following : Hard Clutch Pedal, Harsh Engagement, Clutch Chatter, Release Issues, Clutch Slipping and a Shorter Life in Service. Most, if not all of these company's charge you based on how strong you need the clutch to be. If you fall for this and make a purchase, good luck getting your money back or doing a return because the clutch slips! You paid for the clutch to be strong enough for your needs and if it doesn't hold up, to bad for you. To understand how these company's modify an original clutch, you first have to learn how a clutch system works.

Clutch System

After you install a stock replacement clutch on any vehicle, the torque capacity and clamp load increase gradually as you drive the vehicle. Eventually, the pressure plate reaches mid-life and the pivot points inside the diaphragm are at the maximum torque settings. As you continue to drive the vehicle after mid-life, the torque capacity and clamp load decline gradually and eventually, the pressure plate will wear out. This is how a clutch system works and it's pretty simple.

The Truth About Performance Clutches

What the so called "performance clutch manufacturers" do to modify their clutches for performance is reline the disc with a different material, maybe a carbon based lining, kevlar, ceramic buttons or even cerametallic. We contacted Valeo Transmission (largest clutch manufacturer in the world) and asked about kevlar. We were told they would never used it because it has a terrible coefficient of friction, a long break in period, so drivability suffers. The next thing the performance clutch manufacturer (re-manufacturer) does is take apart the pressure plate and manually move the pivot points to the maximim torque position. If you're thinking that's what happens when the clutch reaches mid-life, you are correct. Then they usually paint the pressure plate a different color. We've seen red, blue, green, white and yellow. Why do they paint it? We think it's to hide the real manufacturers name. If the clutch is metal color and there isn't a manufacturers name on it (LuK, Valeo, Exedy, ZF sachs, AP or Seiko), the clutch is manufactured in China or India. 

According to LuK Automotive, you can't turn an original replacement clutch into a performance clutch. When you modify an original clutch, you're changing what the clutch originsly was designed for.The results are drivability issues and a shortened life. If you've ever purchased a performance clutch, these issues should sound familar to you; hard clutch, harsh engagement, clutch chatter and all around lousy drivability. The clutch will generally last half as long as the original because the pressure plate is at mid-life the day it's installed. These clutches normally cost a lot more than the original. Performance companys selling these modified and chinese clutches make an obscene profit. That's why there are so many company's doing this. These company's do one if not all of the following: 

1. Purchase new oe genuine clutches and modify them

2. Purchase new clutches made in Chiina to their specifications

3. Purchase new clutches from China and modify them

 Performance / Racing  Clutch Company's

We've listed the most popular Performance Clutch Company's. There's probably over 500 company's out there. None of the company's  manufacture / stamp out clutch covers and clutch discs.The company's listed here are clutch rebuilders and or importors.

CENTERFORCE RACING CLUTCHES     

CLUTCHMASTERS PERFORMANCE CLUTCHES 

SPEC PERFORMANCE CLUTCHES

ACT PERFORMANCE  CLUTCHES  

SOUTHBEND RACING CLUTCHES 

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