So we've all heard that all pressure plates are the Valeo pressure plate. Well in my area the AutoZone clutch kit costs $250 (it varies from $150-250 depending in which state you live in) and a upgraded disc would have cost another $150 so I just bought myself a Ram Powergrip.

The casting numbers on the Pressure Plate are: C70043, does that match up to the Valeo casting number?

 

this thread needs to be dug up, because i have heard ALL pressure plates are Valeo EXCEPT the ram Pressure plate. i do not know how accurate this is, but i have heard it from a few different sources. can anyone confirm if ram uses their own design for the LT1 Pressure plate? i have some old images of the Ram and Mccleod Pressure plates if i find anything about this topic i will post, but it would be good to know the answer to this question because i have had numerous clutch/pp combos in my car and the RAM HD and RAM PP is the ONLY combo that gave me issues when fully disengaging and shifting into 1st or Reverse (both on the main shaft of tranny)

 

I'm pretty sure my RAM PP was a Valeo, but it's been a while since I put it in. I have no problems with my RAM HDX. As a matter of fact, yours is the first complaint I've heard of them.

 

i am going to go with them again. i am getting a new Flywheel and building a 383. hopefully i will be able to shift into 1st then ;p all i need is a HDX disk, although i only see them being sold as a set. looks like i call to RAM is due. thx for the info.

 

The Ram pressure plate IS the same as the pressure plate in the AutoZone clutch kit. Go to this thread for more information (particularly the second post):
Here.

 

Yep, sure is. Both my HDX and Powergrip PP say Valeo.

 

I wonder when they took "Valeo" off the Pressure Plates and started using the casting number. Maybe they thought it would be harder for people to catch on.

I ordered a Ram Powergrip about 2 months ago and it has Casting Numbers instead of the word "Valeo" on it.

 

That's wierd. Mine definitely said Valeo though. Maybe the supplier is putting out some castings without their name brand.

 

FWIW.

Ram SOMETIMES uses a Chinese knock off which is not the Valeo plate. It looks exactly the same but does not say Valeo. I once knew the number painted on but have since forgotten, but it does have a pink painted dot. Also it also does not have thos cobweb looks marks like the one commonly found on the Valeo, its very smooth on the aluminum case.

I pressure tested this plate it was tad bit stronger than the LT4 PP.

I dont think the discussion will end. I know I have beat this dead horse to a pulp.

 

I'm thinking all of the ones with the casting number are "Chinese knock-offs". Someone on another board said something similar because all of the casting numbers do start with C. Here are some pictures of the pressure plate I received about 2 months ago when I ordered the Ram Powergrip from Summit.

Pressure Plate:


Casting Number:


Pink Dot (as mentioned by wrd1972), looks more Red in person:

 

Yep thats it. Thats what I saw.
I dont think there is anything really wrong with it, although I have never used one.

Take it along with a Valeo PP to a clutch shop and get them pressure tested.

 

you also have to remember that even though the one you tested was a little bit more pressure than the LT4... there are still manufacturing variances that come into play. no PP should be exact on the # as any other, unless the same machine is assembling every single C70043 Pressure plate, if the variance is significantly larger (+40 Lbs?) then i would assume the PP has been manufactured using different specs. i am very curious to see the results of the two Plates your test (Ram Vs LT4)

 

I'm always wary of chinese made auto parts, but that's just me. IIRC, my PP said "Made in Brazil".

 

Didn't you say you did that already? If so, I'd be interested in the details.

 

Yeah, but I dont remeber the exact numbers. If you do this you can post them up. Difference was less than 5% IIRC.