Clutch options track street

[Tamvette]

While my oem clutch is still holding up at 16.5K miles with many track days on it, I would like to get ready for the inevitable. What would you guys recommend?

The car will continue to see some street miles and about 8-12 track days a year. (No drag racing) Engine is stock except mounts along with tranny/diff mounts.

[Steve M]

Stick with OEM.

[TheMadMachinist]

I wouldn't think track time would be that hard on a clutch.

Or am I missing something?

[Lawineer]

I wouldn't think track time would be that hard on a clutch.

Or am I missing something?

Lots of constant shifting at high RPM and a lot of shifts, even with a good driver, will not be well rev-matched, especially down shifts. road racing is harder on syncros than clutch, but yeah, it is a lot harder than normal driving.

I've always wondered if hard braking on slicks, specially with this level of aero, is hard on clutches and drivetrain. It's basically the same thing as acceleration from the engine- just in the opposite direction, and a lot more force. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if a viper on slicks with aero could sustain 2G braking. It's never going to sustain 2G's of acceleration- especially since none of it is from a dog.

[SRT_BluByU]

OE Agreed - Woof!

48795

[13COBRA]

I installed a BBG Triple Disc clutch in my G4 ACR for road racing, and absolutely loved it. The chatter was loud...but it gripped amazing and never had an issue with it.

https://bbgspeed.com/product/bbg-pro-series-viper-g5-g4-billet-fi-triple-disc-clutch-kit/

[Arizona Vipers]

You'll be fine with the factory clutch. If you are wanting to get hardcore on track and start lightening things up, the Nth Moto Carbon clutch weighs 17 lbs less, which his HUGE. It's expensive, but bulletproof.
I've been running one for years behind a monster motor, zero issues.

[1.8t]

Nth Moto Triple carbon is the final solution for damn near anything.

[Aevus]

Just installed that on my gen 3:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayLHjHM-A4U

So far so good, basically as smooth as the stock one, and good up to 750lbs of torque

Nth moto clutch probably excellent but, damn 4,000$!

[Tamvette]

You'll be fine with the factory clutch. If you are wanting to get hardcore on track and start lightening things up, the Nth Moto Carbon clutch weighs 17 lbs less, which his HUGE. It's expensive, but bulletproof.
I've been running one for years behind a monster motor, zero issues.

Depends on your definition of "hardcore" :) I did everything I would like to change with the car and serious about lap times at stock power level and have no intention of power increase or sequential transmission with this car. (https://driveviper.com/forums/threads/27260-Finally-weighed-the-Viper)

Nth Moto clutch seems like a great weight reduction but I am hesitant about increased stress on transmission and drivability on street as I still drive it on street.

[Aevus]

While my oem clutch is still holding up at 16.5K miles with many track days on it, I would like to get ready for the inevitable. What would you guys recommend?

The car will continue to see some street miles and about 8-12 track days a year. (No drag racing) Engine is stock except mounts along with tranny/diff mounts.

By the way, my OEM clutch was only slightly slipping on hard acceleration (at least what I felt) and no bad smell whatsover to give me a hint the clutch was actually shot. Took a dyno run to see something was wrong. Lost about 60-70whp/tq because of the worn OEM clutch unable to sustain peaks...

Just keep in mind that a worn clutch will make you lose power to the wheels. And you might not notice it.

[Tamvette]

By the way, my OEM clutch was only slightly slipping on hard acceleration (at least what I felt) and no bad smell whatsover to give me a hint the clutch was actually shot. Took a dyno run to see something was wrong. Lost about 60-70whp/tq because of the worn OEM clutch unable to sustain peaks...

Just keep in mind that a worn clutch will make you lose power to the wheels. And you might not notice it.

I did notice decreased top speed at my last track day accompanied with a slight slip feel 4th to 5th shift. It was 96 F and everything was very hot so I wasn't sure if it was the clutch slipping or engine pulling timing due to temps but it could be a similar scenario to what you experienced

[Aevus]

I did notice decreased top speed at my last track day accompanied with a slight slip feel 4th to 5th shift.

The ONLY reason I felt the slip is because I have very grippy tires (Kuhmo ACR 355's)... also Wavetrac diff, 3.73 gears, poly mounts, etc.. All the things that will put stress on a clutch.

Wouldnt be surprised that a worn clutch and/or bad tires would actually limit a Viper to 300-400whp/tq peaks (actual traction)

[Aevus]

For those reasons, I think having an ''overbuilt'' clutch is better than having something ''okay'' that flirts with the limits...

[Steve M]

I did notice decreased top speed at my last track day accompanied with a slight slip feel 4th to 5th shift. It was 96 F and everything was very hot so I wasn't sure if it was the clutch slipping or engine pulling timing due to temps but it could be a similar scenario to what you experienced

Blame the heat (and the PCM subsequently pulling timing).

When the OEM clutch in my Gen 4 started to slip, you could easily smell it, and it lingered for quite some time. I lost about 1-2 MPH in the 1/4 mile as well.

I've had the OEM Gen 4, Nth Moto, and now a McLeod RST in my '08. While the Nth Moto (RPS) triple carbon was still good, it wasn't without its faults. For the price of admission, I'd never recommend it to anyone that wasn't really, really into racing. Even then, you'd have to make a better case than yours for me to recommend it. Race car parts on the street don't always go well together.

[Tamvette]

The ONLY reason I felt the slip is because I have very grippy tires (Kuhmo ACR 355's)... also Wavetrac diff, 3.73 gears, poly mounts, etc.. All the things that will put stress on a clutch.

Wouldnt be surprised that a worn clutch and/or bad tires would actually limit a Viper to 300-400whp/tq peaks (actual traction)

I run Hoosier r7 or a7s and solid mounts everywhere hence I assumed clutch will fail at some point but seems like it might already be happening. I do like the idea of a stronger clutch without drivability issues or increased stress to transmission

[Jack B]

I installed a BBG Triple Disc clutch in my G4 ACR for road racing, and absolutely loved it. The chatter was loud...but it gripped amazing and never had an issue with it.

https://bbgspeed.com/product/bbg-pro-series-viper-g5-g4-billet-fi-triple-disc-clutch-kit/

I had no luck with the BBG product on my G5

[13COBRA]

I had no luck with the BBG product on my G5

No kidding. What happened?

[Aevus]

I do like the idea of a stronger clutch without drivability issues or increased stress to transmission

Was looking for the exact same thing and didn't find a better option than Dual friction Centerforce, but then again there is probably other options out there that I don't know about

[Aevus]

When the OEM clutch in my Gen 4 started to slip, you could easily smell it, and it lingered for quite some time. I lost about 1-2 MPH in the 1/4 mile as well.


Interesting. And that would translate in a lost of what, 15-20whp ?
I wonder if a slipping clutch affects as much the performances as other ''real'' power reduction issues, since it actually slips only on peaks and not on the entire powerband ?

[Lawineer]

Keep in mind, you may not want a clutch 17lbs lighter on the street. It affects drivability. On the track, for sure.

For example: I noticed you have to upshift shift relatively fast on a G5 to be smooth, otherwise the RPMs drop too much. Not sure if it's the gear ratios being close or the flywheel being light or what. Not complaining-it's fine when you adjust- but I bet that gets a lot worse.
You will also have less "engine momentum" so getting going from a stop will be a little more difficult.

If you're not going to add power and it has done well, I wouldn't pay more to change it.

With that said, it can also make it more fun :D I bet it will rev up and down out of gear noticeably faster.

[Tamvette]

Was looking for the exact same thing and didn't find a better option than Dual friction Centerforce, but then again there is probably other options out there that I don't know about

This is what I used 10+ years ago on my c5 z06, I was hoping there would be new/better options out there with similar properties. (It did work great in that car)

[SRT_BluByU]

I remember those hacing some type of clutch issue.. wasnt that where the corvette 'Ranger' turkey baster clutch fluid flush came from?

[J TNT]

The McLeod RST is a great choice for the money.

[viperBase1]

..and now a McLeod RST in my '08.

The McLeod RST is a great choice for the money.
Awesome.
Placed my order for the McLeod RST with Dan Cragin just a few days ago (Monday)!
Really looking forward to driving a twin disc.

It comes highly recommended by a number of people ..Including a friends in Vipers, Vettes and a Shelby GT350.

[Arizona Vipers]

Depends on your definition of "hardcore" :) I did everything I would like to change with the car and serious about lap times at stock power level and have no intention of power increase or sequential transmission with this car. (https://driveviper.com/forums/threads/27260-Finally-weighed-the-Viper)

Nth Moto clutch seems like a great weight reduction but I am hesitant about increased stress on transmission and drivability on street as I still drive it on street.

17 lb lighter clutch will definitely help lap times. Mine seems fine driving on the street, never noticed it being a lot different.

[13COBRA]

Lighter clutches/flywheels usually just a take a little more oomf to get going from a stop.

[Arizona Vipers]

Blame the heat (and the PCM subsequently pulling timing).

When the OEM clutch in my Gen 4 started to slip, you could easily smell it, and it lingered for quite some time. I lost about 1-2 MPH in the 1/4 mile as well.

I've had the OEM Gen 4, Nth Moto, and now a McLeod RST in my '08. While the Nth Moto (RPS) triple carbon was still good, it wasn't without its faults. For the price of admission, I'd never recommend it to anyone that wasn't really, really into racing. Even then, you'd have to make a better case than yours for me to recommend it. Race car parts on the street don't always go well together.

Yeah this... If it was 96* out, you were down well over 100hp. 10mph on the straights

[Arizona Vipers]

\
I've always wondered if hard braking on slicks, specially with this level of aero, is hard on clutches and drivetrain. It's basically the same thing as acceleration from the engine- just in the opposite direction, and a lot more force. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if a viper on slicks with aero could sustain 2G braking. It's never going to sustain 2G's of acceleration- especially since none of it is from a dog.

Correct on the dot. My car does 2.0, 2.1 G's braking on new slicks. Lateral G's are close, 1.9

[1.8t]

Lighter clutches/flywheels usually just a take a little more oomf to get going from a stop.

The Nth clutch mass reduction comes primarily from the clutch itself, not the flywheel. This minimizes the additional throttle needed to accelerate from a stop. The lower disc weight combined with the smaller diameter dramatically reduces the moment of inertia of the Nth discs compared to the stock clutch, making lightning fast shifts possible while not colossally effing the transmission synchros. Search my name for my write up on it and actual mass reduction numbers. It is the most impressive aftermarket clutch I have had with the fewest compromises for the power levels it is rated for.

[TKO MOTORSPORTS TEAM]

Nth Moto Triple carbon is the final solution for damn near anything.

Best clutch worth the money. Only clutches we stock and install on track and street cars. You wont be disappointed

[Jack B]

No kidding. What happened?

Let's just say it did not work

[J TNT]

Awesome.
Placed my order for the McLeod RST with Dan Cragin just a few days ago (Monday)!
Really looking forward to driving a twin disc.

It comes highly recommended by a number of people ..Including a friends in Vipers, Vettes and a Shelby GT350.
Dan is great to deal with , keep us posted how you like it ....

[Aevus]

Follow-up on the Centerforce dual friction I got installed recently:

Many hours in the city, lots of traffic, some hard accelerations. Very satisfied, couldn't ask for more, really. The pedal feel is actually smoother and lighter than OEM, which surprised me a lot. For a light mod street car, I can't imagine something better, especially for the price.

That being said, i'm running my stock engine now, so about 580-600 crank hp with the bolt-ons. Will have my 2nd engine installed soon, we'll see how it handle 700-750bhp

Will keep an eye on the Nth clutch if the Centerforce DF can't handle the power but so far it suits my needs perfectly.