Clutchmasters Stage 1 and 2, what's diff?

[nmatthis]

I know that the Stage 2 has a Kevlar friction surface, but is that the only thing different between it and the Stage 1? They seem to have the same clamping force. Does the Stage 2 just last longer? Does it engage differently with the Kevlar, maybe more harshly? Thanks.

[Mole]

not too sure about clutches, although i would think the difference b/w 1/2/3etc would be the levels of intensity. the higher you go, the crazier it gets and shorter lasting.

just like a turbo upgrade...

dont trust me 100% on this though...

[cdssolara]

Yes, there is more holding force on Stage 2, and more yet on Stage 3. I can't remember exactly, but I think Stage 1 has 40% more holding force than stock; Stage 2 has 70% more than stock; and Stage 3 has 110% more. I have a Stage 2 and it is a lot better than stock, yet is just as easy to engage. It's definitely a good upgrade.

[all_red]

what is holding force?

[cdssolara]

I'm not sure if holding force is the correct terminology, but what I was referring to is the the clutch's ability to stay engaged without slipping. My stock clutch would slip somewhat if I tried to start up on a steep hill. A couple of times it would burn and give off a horrible smell. I never had that problem with the clutches in other cars that I had owned, so I figured that the stock Solara clutch was pretty weak. Clutchmasters advertises that it's clutches will hold much better than stock units. Although I haven't tested my current clutch on the same hills, I'm certain it will hold better than the OE clutch.

[adam2562]

sometimes the stage 2 clutches for aftermarket companies actually r supposed to last longer

[B_Master_Flash]

The holding force of the clutch should be measured in ft/lb's, i.e. how much torque from the flywheel to the tranny it can hold without slipping. How hard the clutch grabbs depends mostly on the stiffness of the springs in the clutch (or lack of springs in racing clutches). The stage 2 clutch can hold under more torque and probably has stiffer springs (or no springs), but I'm sure your solara doesn't have enough torque to make a stage 1 clutch slip anyway, Stage 1 should be well above 300 ft/lb's and stage 2 should be more around 500.