Kevlar versus Organic Clutches
 

I am planning on ording a new clutch and flywheel soon. I would like opinions on organic and kevlar clutch materials. I assumed an aftermarket organic clutch to be better than stock, and kevlar to be even better, because it is kevlar http://images.zeroforum.com/smile/emsmile.gif I had a good conversation with a representative from clutchnet at the SEMA show yesterday. His personal opinion was that a stock or lightly modded car should use an organic clutch if it is an daily driver.

First of all the pros and cons of each that I know of:
Organic - stock engagement, easy on flywheel, no chatter
Kevlar - higher coefficient of friction than organic, easy on flywheel, possible chatter, durability?,

Kevlar sounds like a winner, but the representative stated that kevlar does not fair as well as organic in the real world. Since we have dirt and grime there. With the kevlar disc if oil gets on it, it will need replacement. He says if for some reason it starts to slip it will never recover also. I don't know if this is caused by glazing on the kevlar material.

Holding capacity of a clutch would be dependant on clutch size(diameter), amount of clutch material(square inches), coefficient of friction and temperature and pressure. While examining the clutchnet clutches I noticed that the organic clutch had a lot more material on it. On a Mitsubishi 3000gt page that I found on a search engine, one person complained about a kevlar clutch from a particular manufacturer slipping more than an organic from the same manufacturer.

I want to keep this analysis simple since dual friction is another story.

So my first round or questions:
1. Are there any advantages or disadvantages that I have missed?
2. What is the diameter of the clutch for an integra?
3. If you have had an organic and kevlar clutch from the same manufacturer, what was the difference? Please only answer this if you had the same type of PP.
4. Should a kevlar clutch last longer than an organic one if we look at wear characteristics alone?

Re: Kevlar versus Organic Clutches (vteg)
 

Kevlar is 100 times superior.

Yes it can't handle oil but then why would oil be on the surfaces if the clutch job was done properly and if your tranny doesn't leak oil from the shaft seal.

Kevlar has a coefficient of friction that approaches that of the sintered metal/ceramic pucks.

Pros: It lasts forever, has smooth engagement, ultra high shear strength, is the friendliest to mating surfaces, is the lightest, has a cool yellow color and so on.

Cons: Cost more than other materials, longer break-in, does not tolerate oil.

IMO, organic is not for racing. No matter how you modify it or how much pressure you use on it. If a lining was made out of cookie dough would more pressure make it hold more torque? No.

Hopes this helps.


[Modified by Rocket, 7:06 PM 4/22/2002]

Re: Kevlar versus Organic Clutches (Rocket)
 

Yeah kevlar rocks! Don't dis on kevlar! Yeah it is not the perfect, foolproof material.........so what? Nothing is! There is a downside to any material. http://images.zeroforum.com/smile/emwink.gif

Re: Kevlar versus Organic Clutches (97CivicFerio)
 

I am not dissing kevlar... I have scoured the net looking for definitive information on this, and have found nothing http://images.zeroforum.com/smile/mad.gif I am going to buy a kevlar clutch, and lightweight flywheel. Keep the comments coming though http://images.zeroforum.com/smile/emsmile.gif

Re: Kevlar versus Organic Clutches (vteg)
 

Since you are in LA, make a field trip to Action clutch and talk to Alex Nochez the owner about clutches. He's more a fan of the metallic pucks for racing but he knows a shit load about clutches and how to make them. The number is 323-269-2281. Tell him Robert sent you and he'll hook you up.