I think we're going with the Spec Stage 3, but what is the best disk material for mainly street abuse with some occasional trips to the track The choices are Carbon, Kevlar and Ceramic.

The car has a built 355, and nitrous. It should be pretty sporty.

Thanks!

 

Carbon, Kevlar, and Ceramic (in that order) goes from a softer material with more give to a harder material with less give. There are pros and cons to each.

Carbon is going to be the quietest, with the least chatter. Its a more gentle engagement as well. It also tends to heat up a lot quicker than the other two and not clamp as well. Since it is a softer material, it wears quicker, and will reach its critical thickness sooner than kevlar or ceramic would.

Ceramic is the opposite end of the spectrum, it is more of an on or off engagement (think motorcycles), and it tends to chatter. However, don't let that scare you. I'm speaking relatively here. I've used a ceramic clutch before, and its not that bad. It is definitely streetable. The big plus to ceramic facings is that they resist heat and they don't wear very fast. They use ceramic facings in medium and heavy duty trucks for their longevity, and for the large amounts of torque applied to them. Also, you can spin a ceramic disc the fastest (higher RPM), since the facings can burst off the other two at high RPMs (we're talking in the neighborhood 7000+)

As long as you are going with the Stage 3 (which is sprung as opposed to the rigid Stage 4) you should be fine with ceramic. I would definitely reccommend ceramic facings due to the fact that you have nitrous and you take it to the track (and race it around the street). With a power adder and slicks (or DRs) you will really appreciate the added abilities of ceramic. Hope this helps.

 

thanks for the great explanation, we ordered ceramic today.

 

No problem I used to work for a very large clutch manufacturer.