Clutch, stage 1 stage 2 stage 3 oh my!
I just recently saw a SI spin wheels in every gear N/A. And he had a racing clutch. I'm looking at clutchmasters clutches, but there are like 3-4 stages you can get. As well as a flywheel.
Can someone tell me what the differences are between all these stages as well as what the flywheel is used for, and if its needed?
ta
-nico
Can someone tell me what the differences are between all these stages as well as what the flywheel is used for, and if its needed?
ta
-nico
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Vehicle: 2008 Toyota Prius 2006 Suzuki SV650S
The lighter flywheel is for decreased rotational mass in the rotating assembly. (see signature).
Basically, the lighter the spinning/moving parts are in your engine, the easier it can rev, and the faster it can rev, which means more power.(well, to get technical again, less power LOST due to spinning a heavy flywheel).
It's the same theory behind smaller, lighter wheels when drag racing, only applied to your engine. It makes the most difference in the lower gears, and the least difference in the higher gears.
One chart I saw showed that a 6lb reduction in flywheel weight was equivilant to 210lbs off the car in 1st gear, 125 off in second, 63 in third, 27 in 4th, and about 15 of in fifth. While this chart is not 100% accurate to our cars, and the weight reduction in rotating mass does not quite add up this neatly, you get the idea.
The stage 1 clutch is just an stock clutch with longer wear ability
The Stage 2 is for N/A power, and smaller nitrous shots (under 75) and people who want a "grabbier" clutch
Stage 3 is for Minor Turbo, Supercharged or Major Nitrous applications
Stage 4 is for Moderate/serious turbo's and Supercharged/serious nitrous
Stage 5 is for those insane people like Red
In addition to clutchmasters, HVE, RPW and HDK also sell clutches. There was just a thread on this that Zorro started, where the topic was covered in depth, try a search for the last 10 days and you will certianly find it.
Basically, the lighter the spinning/moving parts are in your engine, the easier it can rev, and the faster it can rev, which means more power.(well, to get technical again, less power LOST due to spinning a heavy flywheel).
It's the same theory behind smaller, lighter wheels when drag racing, only applied to your engine. It makes the most difference in the lower gears, and the least difference in the higher gears.
One chart I saw showed that a 6lb reduction in flywheel weight was equivilant to 210lbs off the car in 1st gear, 125 off in second, 63 in third, 27 in 4th, and about 15 of in fifth. While this chart is not 100% accurate to our cars, and the weight reduction in rotating mass does not quite add up this neatly, you get the idea.
The stage 1 clutch is just an stock clutch with longer wear ability
The Stage 2 is for N/A power, and smaller nitrous shots (under 75) and people who want a "grabbier" clutch
Stage 3 is for Minor Turbo, Supercharged or Major Nitrous applications
Stage 4 is for Moderate/serious turbo's and Supercharged/serious nitrous
Stage 5 is for those insane people like Red
In addition to clutchmasters, HVE, RPW and HDK also sell clutches. There was just a thread on this that Zorro started, where the topic was covered in depth, try a search for the last 10 days and you will certianly find it.


