What is performance clutch?
Generally speaking, performance clutch has heavier springs that can enable clutch has more clamping force, which means more torque could be delivered without slipping and clutch is much more possible to grab under shifting aggressively or clutch dumping.
In addition, they are always made of various materials which would lead to different features for clutch. For instance, organic compounds are usually selected for production cars, which are helpful and useful for smooth engagement and long service life, but not competent at high temperatures. By stark comparison, carbons and ceramics can only provide medium smoothness, but can work much better at high temperatures.
What’s more, performance clutch usually has unique design with gaps between clutch disc blocks. As a result of less surface area, pressure on clutch material would be higher, and some particular materials would provide more grip at certain pressures. The force delivered by diaphragm spring would be the same, however the pressure on clutch disc would be higher. In some certain circumstances, these could be helpful and useful, which means with engines that have more horsepower, the clutch discs used are full circles with small cutouts for expanding heat.
In terms of more horsepower, sintered iron clutch disc should be mentioned. This kind of disc can work under considerably high temperatures compared with other materials, in the meanwhile, can deal with dramatically high clamping forces. Apparently, drivability has to be eliminated, since it is more like a switch, rather than a clutch pedal with modulation.
Why do you need it?
Perform under high temperatures
Performance clutch is vital when power or temperatures in the clutch system exceed the levels at which the common clutch disc can work. If working excessively, clutch could not sustain the heat. And clutch would commence to fail to grab, which would lead to getting warmer and warmer. With disc temperature increases, it works less and less till failed finally. If there is a hard time grabbing between shifts, even when at working temperatures, the clamping force could not be high enough for high horsepower.
Launch control
For drag race, clutch should be able to grab well during launch. If slipping is too much, the driver needs heavier clamping force. However if some certain slip is needed during launch, selecting a material that can deal with heat proves to be vital.
Econobox is fine
Upgrading clutch means you could deliver more horsepower and run clutch for longer durations, but it might make engagement poor. One advantage of organic materials is engagement is smooth which enable you control clutch pedal better and enable daily driving more manageable. Even under heavy use, organic compounds and common clutches could deal with track condition with tips as well. If clutch grabs fine, engagement is smooth, it doesn’t slip and more important thing is performance can be consistent with repetitive use.
Would like to own performance clutch? Feel free to contact us, we ZNDmotor are always here to assist !!!