[DeTomaso] Centerforce clutch & PP

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/05/07 4:40:45 PM, wkooiman at earthlink.net writes:

<< I always thought dual disc clutches were too racey for street use.  After 
riding in Upton's car, I can say that's not true. >>

Biggest problem with dual disc clutches is the Pantera's limited 
release-distance which causes even more clutch drag. At the flywheel of most Panteras, you 
can get maybe 0,035" disengagement distance with the pedal matted. That won't 
change with a dual disc so it means that each friction surface clears the 
adjoining surface by 0.008" instead of .017" (which itself is marginal). Even a 
long-throw slave won't help much. So I'd guess that Panteras with dual disc 
clutches wear their ZF synchronizers faster than those with a single disc.
And of course, a dual-disc clutch was designed for very high-torque engines 
like GM's 454 or a Ford 460, or so that one can reduce the diameter of the 
whole clutch/flywheel/bellhousing, in order to lower the engine & center of 
gravity. IMHO, only the Mangusta could really benefit by using a small diameter 
dual-disc clutch, and it would cost around $2000 to integrate into a real car..... 
so of course no one's done it. FWIW- J DeRyke
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