Is It True Heavy Pressureplates Can Hurt The

[NateR31]

Ive heard that heavy clutchs can bork your gear box as its putting more strain than usual on it, is this true?

[blind_elk]

Probably. I've seen articles that describe "clutch is to the drivetrain as a fuse is to any electrical component". So, as you start putting too much torque through the clutch, it will eventually reach a point where the clutch will slip, thus reducing the torque delivered to the other components of the drive train.

If you uprate a fuse, you increase the risk of damaging the electrical component(s) on that fuse's circuit. Similarly, if you upgrade the strength of the clutch, then the torque from the engine starts looking for the next "weakest link", and this will likely be a gear, either in the diff or in the gearbox.

[LO_R33]

Its true, Happened in my skyline. Got a heavy duty clutch (pink plate series from exede) and it smashed my diff within 2 weeks of having it, just from the force it put on it. My car was NA though.

Dayne

[predator]

yes....

Running a button.. or twin plate definitely puts more strain as there is a much firmer clamping action. This is obviously good for a firm mating action, but like Elk is saying above the energy has to be transferred through to something, usually the rest of the drive train. If that isn't up to it, snap.

In some cases, I tend to think having a clutch that slips slightly is probably better for the long-term health of the gearbox, as there is a little bit of give.

Obviously there gets to a point where you need something quite heavy duty (twin, etc) but its not always a good idea to put the heaviest clutch in you can get.

[NateR31]

Well i have a R34GTT gearbox, the twin plate im getting has a 920kg pressure plate, ive seen cheaper aftermaket clutches that have heavier, the box only has around 40,000 kms on it.. Do you know this will do any damage?

[BHDave]

Sure, but like everything 10% of the damage will be because of the type of clutch and 90% will be the way you drive it.

A heavy clutch wont f**k the box on it's own. If it has a heavy pressure plate it may bend the clutch fork, snap the pivot, or cause premature failure of the hydraulics.

If it's unsprung it may damage the gear faces and eccessively wear the bearings if you have a lumpy idle.

If it's a puck type clutch it will wear the stock flywheel more than an organic (not that you have this problem as you get a new flywheel)

So unlike the other guys, i'm willing to say you won't kill your diff or box solely because you've installed a twin plate. If you've installed a twinplate behind a 400kw engine then it's a different story as now you can transfer all that torque and tear the teeth of 3rd gear