Is my CFDF clutch done for?

[imagine3163]

Hey guys, so I went to the track yesterday (first time) and I noticed after each of my runs that the car just smelled like burned clutch for a while after each run. Is that normal? I understand it will put a load on it launching hard but should I be smelling it even after the run? After the track, I noticed that when I am starting out in first, there is some vibration when the clutch engages (only in first gear and this just recently started), but there is no slipping in higher gears at all. Can I just replace the clutch disc or do I have to get a whole new clutch. I have only had this clutch for 2 years and it hasn't seen much abuse at all so I hope nothing too serious is wrong with it. Any insights?

Thanks

 

[xxShaneOmac]

My CFDF went out the door.

Smelling burnt clutch usally means you slowly sliped it with the gas mashed... Its something we do at the track.

If it drives fine and you can go WOT to 6.5k+ Rpms with no slip.
You should be fine for a little while.

 

[Mike1992]

I've had a CFDF clutch myself and I must say they really do suck for launching. Mine would burn pretty bad after a launch. If your going to be doing any hard launching I recommend at the ACT 2600. Mine held low 11's with no sign of slipping on a std street disk. I had to have at least 100 launches on the clutch, with no signs of failure.

 

[xxShaneOmac]

Again, I had less then 10 Hard lanches and then mine would slip 3k+ rpms WOT.

Sucked HARD

 

[imagine3163]

I was reading on RRE's website that

ACT discs can be used with a Centerforce pressure plate if the pressure plate is in good condition.

Has anyone tried this? I was thinking of adding the 6-puck race disk to the CFDF. If this works it would be a good, cheap alternative to getting a whole new clutch for $400 since the CFDF is rated as a 2500 anyways.

I guess my continuing question is when the clutch starts to slip, is it ok to replace the just the disk or do you need a new pressure plate as well?

 

[Mike1992]

Typically if the clutch is slipping the surfaces are worn out. Me personally after a clutch slips I've replace it, then have my flyhweel machined/stepped. I have however, tossed a new street disk in between an old pressure plate and freshly machined flywheel with good success. BUT, my clutch never slipped before hand, I was just had a TOB failure and noticed the disk was nearly worn down to the rivets.

Me personally, I'd replace the entire clutch and have the flywheel machined.

 

[daren_p]

The CFDF will hold more torque then the act 2100 but yes it seems it does tend to slip & heat up on hard launches. I know mine smells after every run once I got the drag radials & could actually lauch the car & build boost off the line. Now even though it smelt, I'd give it 30min to an hour to cool down, run it again & while it would still smell it never slipped.

I'm probably doing an awd swap, so am thinking I will change my clutch while I'm in there. I probably put around 35K on my CFDF. I want something that is going to stand up to launches better & either slip abit less or tolerate heat better when it slips. When I talked to CF they said the DF was rated for 375 ft/lbs at the crank. Being a 7 bolt, I don't want the extra thrust bearing pressure of the 2600 as that seems like the most common choice. I have looked at the CF DFX which should take the heat better & is rated to 450 ft/lbs but still basically has the same pressure plate as the DF, so should be easy on the thrust bearing. Know there's also a guy running the DFX pressure plate with the act street disk, which seems like it may be a good combo as well?

 

[imagine3163]

So I decided to take my car for a drive today and guess what...the vibration in 1st gear is completely gone. Maybe my clutch just needed the night off or something. It is still not slipping so I think I will be good for a while longer with this clutch...its just annoying having to wait so long after each run!

Know there's also a guy running the DFX pressure plate with the act street disk, which seems like it may be a good combo as well?

I was reading about this clutch the other day and was really impressed, but when I searched on these forums for it I couldn't find anything. How come no one runs this clutch?

 

[daren_p]

So I decided to take my car for a drive today and guess what...the vibration in 1st gear is completely gone. Maybe my clutch just needed the night off or something. It is still not slipping so I think I will be good for a while longer with this clutch...its just annoying having to wait so long after each run!




I was reading about this clutch the other day and was really impressed, but when I searched on these forums for it I couldn't find anything. How come no one runs this clutch?

I think it may be because the DFX is a fairly new clutch from CF & seems like most DSMer's stick to whats already been proven (instead of seeing if there's something new that may be better). Any info I could see on the DFX usually ended up being most guys talking about the CFDF. I need to do some searching/researching but I will be looking at the DFX setup & also the DFX or DF PP with an ACT street disk, to see if they'll meet my goals.

 

[illeffekt vr-4]

How many miles have you put on the CFDF during those two years? Did you allow it to cool down between runs?

I had a CFDF in my galant for almost 3 years and maybe put 30-35k miles on it. Never took it to the track but I launched it every chance I got on the street. Never slipped, not even once. When I rebuilt the motor the disk was still in great shape and I think it would of lasted another 10-15k miles easily.

However I didn't want to get a chance so I ordered a new CFDFX clutch. The did send me the DFX plate and the DFX clutch disk but the disk was a 4 puck unsprung instead of the sprung disk they were supposed to send. I was kinda in a rush to put everything back together and I ordered an ACT street disk from JNZ.

So I'm running the CF DFX pressure plate with a new style ACT street disk (the one with the big yellow springs). So far it has about 2500 miles on it and its been great. I launched it few times and did few 3rd gear pulls. Didn't slip yet.

 

[imagine3163]

How many miles have you put on the CFDF during those two years?

I'm going to say maybe 10000-15000 miles.

Did you allow it to cool down between runs?

Yeah, the track I take it to is always packed so it takes at least 20-30 mins before you can line up again. Maybe this clutch requires longer than that to cool down...

So I'm running the CF DFX pressure plate with a new style ACT street disk (the one with the big yellow springs). So far it has about 2500 miles on it and its been great. I launched it few times and did few 3rd gear pulls. Didn't slip yet.

Do you know what the DFX plate is rated at? I know that RRE tested the DF plate to 2500lbs.

 

[daren_p]

When I asked CF about the PP for the two setups, it sounded like they were basically the same. The difference is in the disk & the different materials that are used. The DFX is metallic & is a more aggressive material. It will slip less & when it does become hot, it will engauge more aggressivly.

 

[kmoore]

Atleast yours hasn't physically come apart yet:

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/bolt-tech/295869-centerforce-pressure-plate-goes-bye-bye.html

 

[illeffekt vr-4]

When I called CF they told me the CFDFX will hold a bit more than the CFDF but they didn't give me any actual numbers.

 

[Whophlungpoo]

My CFDF clutch is holding fine for about ~5k miles. I have launched it about 20-30 times, some back to back, only smelt for a one or two launches but has held great for all of them.