Big block clutch recommendations

[Michael G.]

Good day all,

Am soon to make my clutch purchase for '66 427/390 hp. Typically I've used a Hays street/strip but wanted to expand my horizons . The choices are numerous: Luk, Center Force, GM, Zoom on and on. What is needed is one that will hold up behind the torque generated by the big block and one that won't wear out my left foot. Hays has always served me well. Any suggestions/experiences with others? Thanks.

[Michael B.]

Re: Big block clutch recommendations

good morning mike, I have a center force in my 70 ls-5 and it works great. Only driven about 300 miles in last 1 and a half years. happy motoring mike b.

[Terry D.]

Re: Big block clutch recommendations

I've always had good luck with Luk, both behind big and small blocks. Unless you plan on doing serious abuse to the clutch, they handle the job quite well without breaking your leg. Don'y quote me on this, maybe Joe can shed some light on this, but I was told they supplid the clutches to GM for their factory big blocks. Just my old 2 cents
Terry

[Michael G.]

Re: Big block clutch recommendations

Terry,

Is your Luk behind a bb engine? Recall a part #?

Mike,

Recall part # for you Center Force?

Any other experiences out there....thanks.

[John H.]

Re: Big block clutch recommendations

Terry,

Is your Luk behind a bb engine? Recall a part #?

Mike -

Try www.dialaclutch.com for LuK applications/part numbers.

[Michael G.]

Re: Big block clutch recommendations

Unless I'm missing it, no detail info on clutch specs.

[David N.]

Re: Big block clutch recommendations

Michael,
I have a 427 cid 390 hp and also had a similar problem. I purchased an L-88 clutch and flywheel from a fellow Corvette Club of Michigan member and it has worked just fine. The pedal effort was nowhere near what I expected the HD clutch would take. Not too hard on the left leg.
David

[Michael G.]

Re: Big block clutch recommendations

David,

Thanks for the info. What was brand and model # of clutch?

[Michael M.]

Re: Big block clutch recommendations

I have a Centeforce Dual Friction clutch behind my L-36 BB. My engine has some internal modifications pushing the HP close to 500. No problem at all for over 5 years and very reasonable pedal effort IMHO.

[Joe R.]

Re: Big block clutch recommendations

Michael,

After doing some searching of the archives I decided on a Luk clutch for my 427 / 425. The part number is 04-049. I ordered it from AutoZone, I have not received it yet.

Joe

[David N.]

Re: Big block clutch recommendations

As this was a used GM oem part, I can't tell you any more than it was the same as an L-88.There are others on this discussion board who may have more info.
David

[Lawrence S.]

Re: Big block clutch recommendations

I have used 4 LUK clutches, all on small blocks, with no problem. Good pedal...won't kill your leg.

I am soon to put a LUK in a BB L-36. I expect good results.

[Joe L.]

Re: Big block clutch recommendations

As this was a used GM oem part, I can't tell you any more than it was the same as an L-88.There are others on this discussion board who may have more info.
David

David-----


L-88 used a different clutch, flywheel and bellhousing than most other big blocks. All 1966-74 Corvette big blocks used an 11" clutch with 14" flywheel except L-88, LS-6, and 1969 L-71 with MA-6. L-88 used bellhousing GM #3858403. All others used bellhousing GM #3899621.

[Joe L.]

Re: Big block clutch recommendations

I have used 4 LUK clutches, all on small blocks, with no problem. Good pedal...won't kill your leg.

I am soon to put a LUK in a BB L-36. I expect good results.

Lawrence-----

For 1969 thru 1974 all Corvette big blocks (except L-88, LS-6 and 1969 L-71 with MA-6) used the same clutch as 1969-74 small blocks (except ZR-1). Actually, to be 100% accurate, there was a slight difference in the 1969 L-71 clutch versus that used for other 1969-74 big blocks (except L-88, LS-6 and 1969 L-71 with MA-6) and all 1969-74 small blocks (except ZR-1) but the difference was minor and, for all practical purposes, insignificant.

[Joe L.]

Re: Big block clutch recommendations

I've always had good luck with Luk, both behind big and small blocks. Unless you plan on doing serious abuse to the clutch, they handle the job quite well without breaking your leg. Don'y quote me on this, maybe Joe can shed some light on this, but I was told they supplid the clutches to GM for their factory big blocks. Just my old 2 cents
Terry

Terry-----

I don't think that LUK made the actual original clutches used for 1969-74 Corvettes. In fact, I think that these may have been of GM internal manufacture but I don't know the details (I wish I did). However, I believe that LUK did manufacture the clutches for C4 Corvettes. I do consider that the current LUK replacement clutches for 63-81 Corvettes are equivalent in every way to the original GM clutches.