2.5L TIII, what clutch?

[iTurbo]

I'm getting really close to completing my 2.5L TIII engine. The only things I still have to buy are the turbo, flywheel/clutch, and some lifters.

For the turbo, I think I'm going to have my stocker rebuilt. But will this combo be OK with a stock clutch and lightweight steel flywheel? I had considered getting a larger turbo but probably won't because I'm sick of this thing taking all my money. The engine will be relatively stock except forged Venolia pistons, no balance shafts, Ti retainers, and 3" exhaust. The trans is an A523/A568 hybrid with 3.77 FD and an OBX limited slip.

I'm wary of getting a performance clutch because of wear and tear on the thrust bearing, short life, and it doesn't seem like anybody agrees on a good clutch for these cars. Also, is the lightweight steel flywheel from FWDP worth it? I don't even have a stock TIII flywheel at the moment so I've been considering it.

[xtrempickup]

at minimum a 4 puck with blue plate or yellow plate from TU. mcleod revlock sintered iron is a decent clutch also i have a stock flywheel if you need one, need resurfacing

[iTurbo]

OK, I was just hoping I wouldn't have to go that far since I'm not going to be making big HP with it. The torque will probably peak over 300 ft/lbs though....maybe 250 WHP. I'd shoot higher but too much cars to deal with now.

[xtrempickup]

are you kidding? 20psi and its well over 350whp and probably close to 380 trq minimum and being a 2.5, its gonna make a lot more. dont skimp, i thoguht id make 300hp at most and went Kevlar street and strip and i killed it with 2 passes on 20 psi with a T3/T4 54 trim on the car

[BUCKWHEAT]

Ive got a 2.5 , ported head ,bigger turbo ,under drive pully , no balance shafts, stock flywheel , solid mounts, 3inch exhaust .And i used the fwd per 4 puck hd pp ceramic kit i like it it was like $320.00 Ive got like300 miles on motor and clutch no complaints.

[iTurbo]

No not kidding, I've actually had very good experience with stock Luk clutches. Seems like every clutch out there has people saying there great and others say they suck. With a stock turbo, it's not going to be making more than 250 WHP anyway and I don't drag race (track is too far away). I'm building a fun/unique daily driver, that's all.

[xtrempickup]

i ran the stock clutch on 18psi stock turbo and when i took it out, it was GONE. do not skimp, a stock TIII pressure plate is great, but the organic discs, that cars stock disc isnt good for 300ft trq

[bgbmxer]

i plan on using the rev loc even though the fact i will have to pull the motor and trans but it wont be from breakage not from wear. and the fact i have not heard any coplaints of it slipping ever just that its to hard to drive or is noisy what do you expect when you buy a full race clutch no slip and harsh everything else. but i plan on making stupid torque with my 2.5 and eventually with a lotus or masi head so i will buy one clutch and do it once

[iTurbo]

OK, four-puck ceramic it is! It's not really the four puck that worries me; I can deal with that. I'm mostly afraid of a heavy duty pressure plate wearing out the thrust bearing on the crankshaft. When I had my TIII short block rebuilt, I ended up having to get a new crank because of major end play (aka crankwalk) which I suspect was in-part due to the previous owners choice of clutch. That's actually why I decided to go 2.5L, since I couldn't find a forged CB crank soon enough and I really like the 2.5L over the 2.2L anyway. Thanks for the info guys.

[xtrempickup]

talk to simon about the 2.5 or Cliff ramsdell about the 2.5. both built TIIIs with and im pretty sure both make sick trq. i made 442ft lbs of trq on my 2.2L

[bgbmxer]

alot of pople knock the 2.5 but how can more displacement be bad

[xtrempickup]

my 4 puck with blue plate is awesome i love this one over the stocker and the kevlar i had in

[mopar2ya]

Longer stroke is the downside to the 2.5 and its a cast crank. The longer stroke doesnt want to turn as hard as the 2.2. Sorta like the 289 vs 302, 327 vs 350.

Upside is the 2.5 crank is alot lighter and makes a butt load of touque.

[bgbmxer]

most people dont open it up enough to breathe and complain it doesnt rev also. i want to see what its limits are and by that time i should be going way fast in my light car traction will be the issue