quote:Originally posted by Dick Ruzzin:
I have to go against Dana's experience on the clutch effort with my own. When I got my car it had the original Chevrolet clutch disc and pressure plate for the 327 small block, LT-1.
The clutch was not real heavy.
It was very nicely progressive upon release.
Clutch pedal effort is, for the most part, determined by the pressure plate spring force that has to be overcome by the hydraulic linkage. If you have a pressure plate with stiff springs the pedal will be hard to push.
When I had my engine done five years ago the builders put in a racing clutch that had such stiff springs that the slave cylinder rod bent!
I could hardly drive the car. It has been changed to one that matches the engine horsepower, torque and car weight. It is much lighter and easy to drive now.
To evaluate clutch pedal force/effort you have to know the pressure plate force rating in foot pounds. Color or make of car does not matter.
Also, to repeat, Centerforce told me, over the phone, that their pressure plate mechanism does not in itself diminish required pedal force.
Dick Ruzzin
Dick Ruzzin
The stock diaphragm pressure plate was a relatively soft pedal. Changing to even the Centerforce diaphragm pressure plate increased the stiffness in the pedal. I'm sure that the holding power of the aftermarket units are better but will be at the sacrifice of pedal stiffness. If the stock Ford unit will provide adequate holding power then it will be your best option. I have found Centerforce pressure plates to usually be quite soft on the pedal but not so much on the Mangusta so it's either int the design of the custom one made for the goose or the goose's clutch system. Perhaps the clutch master or bore size would have a bearing on it?