In need of clutch:(

[Tug68]

Well I need a clutch, My car is an 87 with a g-50/50 5 speed and all bolt on`s:Exhaust, intercooler, K-27,headers, and a 1 bar spring. The shop is steering me towards a Kennedy product(aluminum with strong gripping power) Is it overkill and should I be looking at something else? LMK you experience so I can make an informed decision. Thanks Tim

[Tt surgeon]

how about just a stock 89 clutch?

[Tug68]

Chris I was thinking because of the added HP I should get something with more gripping power. Don't know?

[mark houghton]

Probably depends on the condition/age of your stock clutch. Mine was fine until I started added HP goodies, then she started to slip. I went with the Stage 1 KEP and never looked back. Great workmanship and fully rebuildable by KEP if ever needed.

[full quack]

Call Chris at Turbocraft, he has what you need at a resonable price, end of story.

Mark

[JFairman]

If your motor has stock cams and fuel head along with the mods you listed which probably give you around 350 horsepower or a little less - at the wheels I think all you need is a new clutch disc and throw out bearing.
You don't say what the mileage is on the car or the clutch or how you drive it and that would help make a better guess.

I agree that a call to Chris at Turbokraft is your best guidance. He has the most hands on experience with these cars of anyone that posts here and then you should buy the clutch parts from him.
Turbo Kraft : Home

[TurboKraft]

Thanks, J!

For the best combination of high grip (will hold 550wtq) and drivability (smooth engagement, mild pedal effort) I would use a clutch package with a high friction disc and high torque aluminum pressure plate from Sachs Race Engineering.

Yes, it's several hundred dollars more than a domestic KEP -- and those are not bad clutch plates, especially for the money -- but the pedal effort is the deal breaker to me. Having been stuck in stop-and-go traffic in hill country in a modded 930 with a KEP, and dealing with the greater pedal effort... The S.R.E. parts are worth the extra cost. If the car were mine, it's what I'd use.


Don't know if anyone else has encountered this, too, but the past several KEP clutches we've installed have had too large an O.D. where they fit into the 930 flywheel's register ring (outer lip). That register shouldn't be shaving material off the outer circumference of the aluminum pressure plate housing when you torque it down in sequence. Probably not good for the $$$ genuine flywheel, either.

[Tug68]

Thanks guys. Chris thanks for talking to me earlier. I don't track the car just spirited driving. The car has 57k miles. Thanks again Tim

[TurboKraft]

Understood. While this clutch would be completely suitable for track use, it is a high performance street clutch first. Perfectly smooth pulling away from a stop, no chatter or shudder like a solid or metallic disc, easy to modulate thanks to the combination of the pressure plate and the disc's friction surface.

[RarlyL8]

I just went through the clutch experience and documented in the Gray Ghost thread. Bought a KEP and found it to be way to harsh for daily street use. Previous to that I had a Sachs Sport clutch and find that to be perfect. I pulled out the KEP and put the stock back for now. Will definitely get another Sachs unit next time the engine comes out.

[JFairman]

Brian, was your KEP a stage one or stage two? I've never felt or driven a stage one KEP and wonder if thats what you had and didn't like.

thanks for any driving opinions you have of it.

[RarlyL8]

Stage 1 was purchased but I do wonder if it was incorrect. Seems to me they would not make such an expensive mistake if so.
When the KEP clutch went in we thought there was a huge problem as it chattered horrifically. After a couple miles it setttled down and in a few days you had to look for the chatter to feel it. My issue was how hard it was to engage. Every time I pressed the clutch it fealt like I would rip out the throttle linkage. That HAS to be hard on the linkage assembly.

[Tug68]

Wow! Thanks for the input Brian. This is why I asked the question, for some real life experiences.

[mark houghton]

Maybe I'm just one in a million, but my Stage 1 KEP with Sachs disc feels great and has since day one. No chatter, and maybe just marginally stiffer than stock - if at all. Maybe they sold me a Stage 0.5

[gsxrken]

Tim I believe we met on the thanksgiving run. Nice car.
I noticed you mentioned you have a G50 5 speed. Are the clutch and flywheel assemblies the same as the original 4 speed? Did you go hydraulic?

[9Thirty]

I have the LWFW and clutch package listed. Great clamping power and pedal feel.

Patrick Motorsports | Porsche & Mid Engine Conversions

[Tug68]

I believe the 5 speed is hydraulic Ken. Yes that was me on the Turkey Run. Thanks Tim

[TurboKraft]

When a G50 or G50/50 is shortened, the clutch is a combination of early SBH 930 and G50 components.

Neither the tall 1978-88 930 or 1987-89 G50 pressure plates fit the shortened bell housing.

The 1990-98 flywheel + clutch assembly is all too tall as well, and the 1980s flywheels do not accept the 1990s pressure plates.

[philip j]

My stage 1 clutch was not much greater pedal effort than the stock. Always had a bit of chatter, and takeoff was not that smooth. I have a email in to KEP as I have discovered this crack in the PP. I was thinking maybe too much HP? Any comments? Maybe I'll upgrade to a stage 2 if KEP will rebuild it for me. Philip

[philip j]