Stock clutch disk good for what horsepower?

[Walt Fricke]

I am running a long stroke 2.8 (not, alas, the 2.8 real heads). I have an RSR flywheel and pressure plate. I have been using the stock clutch disk.

I have had two of these disks fail within the last year by shedding the disk facing. One, no doubt, as a result of using it too long so a rivet failed, then more, etc. The last one (last weekend) had too much meat left for that, but some of the facing came off, leading to a "can't release properly" situation. I guessed clutch, but I needn't have guessed, as there were bits of disk facing up on the top of the engine. Otherwise all seemed fine.

Which leads me to the question. Is maybe 270 flywheel HP too much for the stock disk?

Alternatively, if my slow to be assembled 2.8 short stroke can put out 300 flywheel HP (the engine program I am using says it will put out 330, but I'll believe that when I see it), will I need something stronger in the disk department?

The clamping force of the RSR pressure plate should be up to the task - the RSR was 304 hp advertised.

[Tippy]

I will get flamed for this but I have a Kevlar disk that has held WOT launches in 2nd gear on a G-50.

My car makes 427 to the wheels with the KEC Stg II PP though.

[cstreit]

Rivet failure is often due to standing starts and hopping curbs in the newer cars... Aftermarket Kevlar clutches don't cost much more and are certainly cheaper than installing 2-3 stock ones!

[Tippy]

IIRC, my Kevlar disk was $250 from clutch.net.

[cstreit]

Sounds about right. That's the one I used... Worked very well and could still slip it to get into the trailer.