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Black Diamond
Performance have developed three stages of
Performance Clutch Kits – Fast Road, Fast
Road/Competition and a full Race Paddle Clutch capable
of handling and transmitting the torque generated, as
well as providing a range of other benefits.
Utilising our experience in
brake disc technology, all of our clutches have grooves
machined into the pressure plate surface. These grooves
help to dissipate the heat generated as well as remove
the dust and gases created.
Updated in March 2023, our range is bigger than ever before. Over 10,000
applications available in the three stages, Stage 1 PWR,
Stage 2 KVR and Stage 3 PDL meaning there are over
30,000 part nos.
Stage 1 - Fast Road
Our Stage 1 clutch kit is recommended for
vehicles with up to a 20% increase in torque
above standard. The clutch disc has a spiral woven glass
fibre friction material with a heavy copper core. The
glass fibre is a fairly soft material which allows for a
smooth engagement of the clutch and consistent
performance from low to high temperatures. The added
copper in this friction material allows the clutch to
perform well at even higher temperatures, as well as
improving burst strength (approximately 9000 RPM) and
helping to dissipate heat through the material. The
strong springs used in Black Diamond’s Stage 1 clutch
kit create greater clamping pressure on the clutch disc,
providing a more instant response and reducing the
chance of unwanted slippage. As the organic compound
used in the Stage 1 clutch disc is relatively soft, it
also benefits from a minimal breaking in period.
Stage 2 - Fast Road / Competition
Black Diamond’s Stage 2 clutch kit uses an aramid
fibre friction material similar to Kevlar and is
recommended for vehicles with a torque increase of up
to 30%. These clutch kits provide an even stronger
clamping pressure than the Stage 1, as well as boasting
an even higher burst strength. This is aided by the
extreme hardness of the aramid fibre material, which is
nevertheless very lightweight. This friction material
requires a breaking in period of about 600 miles of
gentle use, this is to ensure it reaches it’s full
friction qualities. The Stage 2 clutch kit is capable of
withstanding the high temperatures associated with
competition driving and so is ideal for the track. With
the rigidity of these drive plates it's important that
all flywheels are checked for wear as any imperfections
or dishing of the flywheel will result in loss of
contact with the friction material.
Stage 3 - Full Race
Our Stage 3 clutch kit is recommended for
increases in torque of between 30 and 60%. We use a
cerametallic friction material, allowing it to be able
to cope with extremely high heat and torque. These
paddle clutches are an excellent option for track use,
heavily modified engines and chipped or mapped diesels
where the torque increases exponentially. Black
Diamond’s Stage 3 clutch kit, with its very high clamp
load and stainless steel backing plates ensures that
maximum torque is transmitted from the engine to the
wheels on the ground with minimum risk of overheating or
slipping. Our stage 3 paddle clutch retains the
driveability required in normal road use, although some
changes to driving style are required (more revs to pull
away). We can make your paddle clutch with 4, 5 or 6
paddles depending on the diameter of the drive plate.
Making the right choice of clutch for your vehicle and
driving style is important. However, you can rest
assured that whatever Black Diamond clutch kit you
choose, it will be made to order from the highest
quality materials. To ensure the quality and precision
of manufacture expected of a Black Diamond clutch kit,
all our clutches are individually tested for lift and
load. Our clutch kits are also designed to be direct
replacements for a vehicle’s standard clutch, meaning no
alteration to the flywheel or any other standard part is
necessary.
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