One of our most popular tech questions is ‘why should I use a dual disc in my car?’  In the past you only had a couple of options to increase the holding power of your clutch system.  You could increase the static pressure, or clamp load of the clutch.  This helps the holding power but can result in a heavier pedal effort.  You could use a more aggressive friction material on the disc, but this can result in chatter on takeoff if you gearing is too tall (low numerically).  Centrifugal weights are the solution offered by one of our competitors.  The problem with this method is that it only addresses high torque at high RPM, and the bulk of the street applications we encounter make their torque at a lower RPM.

A dual disc clutch addresses all of these issues by providing a lighter pedal effort and using an organic friction material that gives you a smooth engagement.  And the real bonus?  An incredible amount of holding power over even the highest level of single disc clutch!

We see many customers now that have high power combinations in later model cars, and they have expectations of the car driving more like it did when it was stock, yet will hold their newfound horsepower.  RAM Force 9.5 and Force 10.5 dual disc clutches give you the ability to achieve this smooth engagement.  This is certainly not limited to high power cars – lower power level users that want great driveabilty can benefit greatly and see much improved life over single disc clutches.

So what features should you be looking for, and what causes pitfalls or downsides of a dual disc unit? 

Different applications require different needs, and RAM addresses this with two models.  Strap driven systems like the Force 9.5 and 10.5 clutches allow the center floater plate to drive by pulling on a strap.  This system eliminates any kind of floater plate noise at idle when the clutch pedal is pushed in.  The other method, a stand driven floater plate, is stronger but tends to give a floater plate ‘rattle’ at idle that is annoying to some drivers.  Stand driven floater clutches are more beneficial for a car or truck that is used more in competition than on the street or requires faster shifting, but still want to maintain the street driveability.  For vehicles that are primarily street driven, the strap version is the ideal choice.

If you are going to use a dual disc clutch, you should make sure it is built properly for your vehicle.  This means the unit is assembled to the proper installed height to function with your release mechanism.  Late model cars that have internal factory slave cylinders are finicky about clutch height and have limited travel;  RAM units are built to a specification that functions with these systems without having to modify the car further.  In other words, if you purchase a RAM dual disc for your C5 Corvette or GT500 Mustang, we have engineered the clutch to be a true bolt in. 

When you purchase a dual disc clutch that does not come with a flywheel, this means you are on your own to engineer the height of the clutch and make sure it is going to function properly in your car.  That is why all RAM Force 9.5 and 10.5 systems include the flywheel.  We do the engineering work so you don’t have to.  Additionally, all RAM flywheels utilize a ¼ inch thick steel heat shield that will help wick away the heat without damaging the surface.

Finally there is friction material.  Over the years we have tested many different types of friction and combinations thereof.  Our tried and true 300 series organic material gives you the smoothest possible engagement with no chatter on takeoff.  If your power level is high enough, 900 series metallic will still provide reasonable driveability but give you fantastic holding power for a more competition oriented car or truck.

So there you have it – as you evaluate brands and look to make your decision, keep these factors in mind to decide which clutch system is really best for you.  For more info on the RAM Force 9.5, Force 10.5, and RTrack clutches click here.