Well, during my engine buildup I discovered that my McLeod StreetTwin Cluch with only 2,349 miles on it it totally shot. The pressure plate/flywheel are all spotted with hot spot(purplish marks). Also, on both of the disks the studs(thats what I call them) are flush with the clutch material already..WTF!! The speedshop I bought this from said it would hold up to anything I could throw at it....Huh. Within 2500miles of street driving and two trips to the track its toasted.

Now I need a new clutch..flywheel and all. Im ditching my 40lb Mcleod ****ty steel flywheel. The speed shop initially said "you want that heavy flywheel...will give you more rotating mass to launch better", well...I only drag race a few times a year (if that). My car is more weekend curiser/show car. So, Im not interested in super launches anymore and will probably go with an aluminum lightweight setup(i want to try something different anyhow). What do you guys recommend? I did a search and see that I dont want spec stage....anything. What other good clutches are out there?


FWIW....I had this installed by the speed shop(didnt do my own work then). And it was about 2yrs ago(yeah, my car only sees a few thousand miles a year, at most). Anyhow, when initially installed....I got it back and took it home. Chattered so bad that it nearly broke the passanger seat with vibrations. So, I take it to the speed shop that did it, they inspect it. Turns out, McLeod originally sent hem a "drag race" flywheel, instead of a stree flywheel. Apparently, the drag race flywheel was meant for instant grab, high rpm launches...hence the seat busting vibrations I was experiencing. So, they end up getting the right flywheel from McLeod, install it. It chattered a little(like a new, performance clutch does)...then worked fine. I never even suspedted any problems with it.

Now, upon inspection...its totally ****ed up. Ill take pictures with the digicam soon just for future references and try to update the post then(give me about 3days).

My setup is ported heads/custom xe224/230/125hp nitrous/longtube headers, etc....all the bolt ons.

 

There should have been no reason for your clutch to go that early...

 

Have you tried contacting McLeod concerning this issue? They are really good when it comes to customer service.

 

I've got a little over 5K on mine w/ the same description you just posted. Still grabs like no other too. Have hot spots as well but I think that's w/ any clutch no matter how you drive. I'll be putting it back in and see how long it lasts. Why buy another clutch buy some more disc for 325 and be on your way. You have their billet adj master cylinder? Could be a problem as a result of not having one. Or maybe they didn't torque the clutch down right. Seen that before and smoked em' shortly after.

 

Yeah, I got the adj cyl. No...I didnt try to contact McLeod. I wanted to get rid of this ****ty/heavy *** setup. I do not want to have to replace a supposed strong as hell clutch every year because it cant handle street driving, but it can launch 1200hp at 7000rpms....(probably only a few times by the look of my plates with hardly any miles on them, none of which were slick tire launches either). To me this clutch was/is the biggest POS ever. It took about 3 weeks of driving to stop chattering, now I thought it was finally broke in...turns out, its broke/warn away.

So do any of you have any other good options? I really dont want to have to keep using the setup. From the looks of eveyone elses posts...I dont want to use Spec products either.
Is there even any other good companies to deal with?

The only way Ill even consdier keeping thiis POS is if I replace that ancor of a flywheel with a lightweight aluminum one when i replace the disks also...busically need a whole new setup. Thats the last thing I want to do is give McLeod another $1200.

 

If the street twin didnt work for you and you dont want to consider a spec.......well you need to go to an A4 because there just isnt any better options IMO.

 

That IS the best clutch you can by. Rodrigues (Patrick) put his in and he had no chatter or anything like that. Sounds like whoever did the install screwed up. FWIW, the fastest 6 speed camaro on here runs a street twin and I think he gets more than 2 passes out of it .

 

Sorry to hear about your problems, but McLeod has a very good reputation. My experience has been positive.

From your story, I'm wondering how bright your shop that is at installing performance equipment. If they can't tell "race only" products from oem replacement parts for the street, then I'd question their judgment. They should have caught that error. Also, did they order the parts or did you? You may have a beef with your shop.

I would suggest that you first contact the company (McLeod) and attempt to settle the matter before posting nasty comments about them. Even if they provided a defective product, give them an opportunity to make things right.

 

No issues with the ST setup here either.

 

Edit...YouGotMail

Thanks for the auto suggestion I would rather run a slipping stock clutch, mcleod, anything...other than an auto in my car.

The shop oredered all the parts, installed them....I took it home with seat busting chatter in any and all gears, between gears, etc. Took it back, they tore it apart and said basically said "Oh, McLeod sent us the wrong flywheel(drag setup that doesnt allow slow engagement of the clutch). So, they had to send the parts back for McLeod to inspect(which they charged me for, initially...they refunded it back once they seen they sent the wrong part). Anyhow, 2 weeks later(yeah it took them that long) the correct flywheel arrived. They installed it, it chatterd...but only like 2% of what it was before. This shop is notirous for some high hp LS1 cars but they are also just a ntorious for being a ripoff when it comes to prices, labor, etc.

Here is a link to the website. They also happen to only be 2.5miles away from me.
www.stropespeedshop.com

Personally I blame this all on McLeod. I initially thought maybe they placed an order for the wrong parts, so I asked to see the order slip...which was in there computer system. They ordered the right pieces...McLeod still sent the wrong parts.

My car ran excellent with the correct flywheel(once it broke in). It would chirp 4th when the car was %100 stock with that clutch. It still did when I took it apart for the forged 355 buildup...but by looking at it there is no way it has any life left in it. About 40% of the studs are already rubbing on the plate/flywheel.

I think I am going to take this down there and show them WTF ended up happening. Also, like suggested....I guess Ill call McLeod too and see if they do anything about this.

 

Hey what else is there if you rule out the best options.....personally I run the spec stage 4 but if I allready had the steet twin as you do I would just get it sorted out and continue to run it.

 

Yeah....It seems that thats going to be my only option. I have been searching all day and there doesnt seem to be anything better Anyhow, Im taking the clutch to stropes tomorrow to show them and will call McLeod as well. Hopefully between the two of them...they can replace it or at least some of it.

FWIW...any of you running the aluminum McLeod flywheel with good results? I really dont want to use my 40lb ancor anymore. However, it sucks that even their light weight aluminum flywheel...still weighs more than stock, WTF!


Ill keep you all updated!

 

There's no logical reason that you'd make a post to bash Mcleod before you've even called them. Its one thing if you call and they tell you tough luck. Besides, maybe you installed it wrong...


Ryan

 

i just put the street twin in my car and i must say it kicks major ***


first few hundred miles were pretty rough, but now it drives like stock. No chatter or anything. Now i need to upgrade all my suspension since i get wheel hop between shifts..even 5th gear!!

 

My ST stood up to a lot of abuse. >700rwhp in a 4,000+lb car. Even a couple of (accidental) third gear 5,000rpm launches at the strip (with nitrous).

Sorry yours didn't work out, but it's a great product.

Rich Krause