Clutch

[kris450]

Yes I know, I appreciate its been done a gazillion times so therefore my apologies, but is anyone running/have experience of the below from what is now Motaclan (previously Racing Green/TVR Parts) ?

https://motaclan.com/product/clutch-kit-griffith-c...

FYI car is a 450 with some very light mods, so nothing crazy on the power output.
Wondered if users were happy or any issues been found ?

[simonriley11]

I have just had one of these fitted to my Chim 500 with a recently rebuilt John Eales engine (loads of torque). The previous new (I now believe incorrect specification) Helix clutch slipped whereas this one doesn't - however the clutch pedal is not surprisingly a lot heavier.

[kris450]

Perfect, many thanks for that ! Always nice to hear someone else's opinion of how things perform real world.

The weight doesn't concern me too much, as for a 90's designed performance car we really don't have heavy clutches overall

Cheers !!

[MikeE]

simonriley11 said:

I have just had one of these fitted to my Chim 500 with a recently rebuilt John Eales engine (loads of torque). The previous new (I now believe incorrect specification) Helix clutch slipped whereas this one doesn't - however the clutch pedal is not surprisingly a lot heavier.

Thats exactly my experience, the Helix clutch (supplied by Racing Green as heavy duty) slipped but I then replaced it with the Luff clutch in the Motorclan link (as recommended by Dom at Powers) and that has been good so far.

I also have the 'Tasmin' bigger bore slave cylinder from MotorClan which reduces pressure a bit

[rigga]

MikeE said:

Thats exactly my experience, the Helix clutch (supplied by Racing Green as heavy duty) slipped but I then replaced it with the Luff clutch in the Motorclan link (as recommended by Dom at Powers) and that has been good so far.

I also have the 'Tasmin' bigger bore slave cylinder from MotorClan which reduces pressure a bit

Interesting snippet regarding the Tasmin slave.

Replaced my slave many years ago, and the replacement item increased pedal pressure noticeably, but apparently a direct replacement.

Good to know there are alternatives.

[simonriley11]

Mike E - do you have a part number for the Tasmin slave cylinder, it might be a route I want to follow.

Thanks, Simon

[Johnelliot]

I had this clutch fitted to my 450. Works well but heavy. I asked the specialist that fitted it and he was skeptical about the big bore mod to reduce pedal pressure. He was concerned that the clutch would not clear if fitted.

[simonriley11]

Does anyone know if the Tasmin Slave cylinder which is 1 inch bore (the standard Chim one is apparently 7/8 inch) will work with a T5 gearbox as fitted to my 1999 Chim 500. Thanks

[simonriley11]

I ordered a 1 inch Tasmin slave cylinder from Motoclan only to find that the current slave is also 1 inch bore too! I still have a very, very heavy clutch which makes driving a real chore, any suggestions as to how I might reduce the pedal pressure?
Thanks, Simon

[MikeE]

Not sure if I imaged this but is there a couple of mounting holes for the master cylinder pushrod on the clutch pedal? If there is move it to the top hole to give you more leverage?

[kris450]

MikeE said:

Not sure if I imaged this but is there a couple of mounting holes for the master cylinder pushrod on the clutch pedal? If there is move it to the top hole to give you more leverage?

Happy to be corrected, but I was under the impression the bottom hole should only ever be used. You'll end up with a misalignment with the push rod when the pedal is depressed fully otherwise.

[stevesprint]

Sorry to wake up an old thread but it's good to keep common info together unlike Facebook

As the AP 500 clutches are no longer available does anyone have any experience of this Racetect Direct's "Clutch Cover and Plate Rover V8 450 500" for £360 inc Vat ?
https://racetechdirect.co.uk/transmission/clutch-c... (£360)
Mark at Racetech said it's Borg & Beck's equivalent of the OE 500 clutch & they have been selling them for the last 20 years without complaints.

Would be helpful to know how it compares with the the following clutches:-
[url https://www.tvrsswparts.com/clutch-kit-500---qkit5... | https://www.tvrsswparts.com/clutch-kit-500---qkit5... (£340)

https://lofclutches.com/shop/clutches/tvr-clutches/powerspec-tvr-v8-clutch-kit-9-5/ (£294 450Nm)

https://motaclan.com/product/clutch-kit-griffith-c... (£432)
Interestingly, Motaclan said their LOF clutch is a slightly different spec to LOF's website, hence the higher price.

I'm concerned about the LOF clutches as Johnelliot commented its "heavy" and I'm not getting any younger.

[kris450]

Can't comment on the Racetech or TVRSSW offerings as I decided to go with the LOF clutch.

I've been running that since I pretty much started this thread and no issues at all to report. The weight issue is sadly a bit of the old 'how long's a piece of string' type question. One persons 'light as a feather' is the next persons 'jeez this thing must be locked up somehow as its not moving an inch'... No real way to tell as we're all different. But as I say I don't find it heavy in the slightest (and a powerfully built PH director I am not ).

Appreciate you're not just 10 minutes down the road, but if you're ever in the Gatwick area you're more than welcome to try my car to see how it feels.

FYI, the Motorclan offering IS the LOF clutch. The exact same kit. Sure I've said on another thread somewhere that I genuinely have no issues supporting the TVR specialists. We'll be sad one day when they are no more. But what amounts to an almost 150% mark up is a bit too steep for me I'm afraid. If you decide on Motorclan just go directly to LOF and cut out the middle man.

[citizen smith]

simonriley11 said:

I ordered a 1 inch Tasmin slave cylinder from Motoclan only to find that the current slave is also 1 inch bore too! I still have a very, very heavy clutch which makes driving a real chore, any suggestions as to how I might reduce the pedal pressure?
Thanks, Simon

Perhaps this installation might help.