Custom Clutch Group Buy Feeler..

[SupraDupra500]

Hello all! My name is Josh Craft, a long time Supra enthusiast and owner. For a long time I have been looking for ways to help the SupraMania community, and I think I have found it! I just recently became a clutch dealer. The manufacturer asked to remain un-named for the time being. But what I can tell you is that this company works very closely with South Bend Clutches. With a much smaller market and no over-head, I have the ability to sell these clutches at a much lower price as other competitors.
All clutches are made-to-order. In other words, none of these clutches exist until I place an order.
Before I can do an OFFICIAL group buy, I will have to get pricing from the distributor. In order to get pricing from my distributor, I need to know what materials you want, what configuration you want, what amount of torque capacity you want, etc. etc. so I can get a product line established.
Some materials available are Semi-metallic, Ceramic, Feramic, Kevlar and Carbon. Discs come in full face or 6 puck. Upgraded Pressure plate are also available in a variety of torque capacities. Or we have complete kits available. All kits contain disc, pressure plate, pilot bearing, throwout bearing, and alignment tool.
Warranty information will be available tomorrow morning after I call my vendor to confirm the information his secretery gave me.
As far as turn-around time, after I place an order, it takes 2-3 days to get the parts to me. After that, I will ship the parts to you same day if possible. Please allow UP TO 10 days to receive your clutch if an order is placed.
Now that you know a little about my product, I need some information from you. Please copy and paste what you see below. It will make things A LOT easier on everyone! If you are unsure about what materials or configuration you want skip configuration and materials category and tell me what mods you have and if your car is street driven or not.

Vehicle information
Year:
Make:
Model:
Engine:
Turbo:
Configuration: (full face or 6 puck)
Contents: (kit, disc or pressure plate)
Material: (Carbon, Kevlar, Feramic, Ceramic, Semi-metallic)
Street driven: (yes or no)
Modifications:

So, the game plan is to:
Retrieve your information
Establish a pricing and product line
Then we start the group buy.

Let me know what you want! I'll get pricing back ASAP!!!!

Josh

 

[2543arvin]

So any torque rating I want, this clutch will provide? Is there a guarantee of that? I know you said you will post the warranty info, so I will wait on that. How long are these custom clutches expected to last?

These are questions that I would need answered before committing to a clutch from an unknown source, since they want to remain anonymous.

Thanks,
Brandon

 

[SupraDupra500]

I will contact them tomorrow and ask them if they guarantee a certain torque capacity. The life expectency of the clutch depends on its configuration and material of course. I'll see if they can give me an estimate on clutch life for different configurations. I'll also ask them if I can release their name to give the community some re-assurance that im not selling some cheap clutch to make a buck.

Josh

 

[2543arvin]

Thanks Josh, Im about to do my R154 swap from my W58 and I already had a strong clutch in mind, but this thread has me thinking....

With the right answers to my questions, and a nice GB price of course, I would be down with getting my clutch from you.

Brandon

 

[tekdeus]

Since there is already a good selection of Mk3 Supra clutches out there, the biggest gap that I see is the lack of affordable carbon clutches, or anything that has ultra-smooth streetability with over 500tq capacity, without enormous plate pressure.

 

[upgradedsupra]

Since there is already a good selection of Mk3 Supra clutches out there, the biggest gap that I see is the lack of affordable carbon clutches, or anything that has ultra-smooth streetability with over 500tq capacity, without enormous plate pressure.

I will have my multi disk clutch next week. I'll call you

Leave your number Brad

Duane

 

[SupraDupra500]

Noted. I'll ask them about carbon clutch options tomorrow. Thanks for the input guys, keep it coming!

 

[Poodles]

I just installed a clutch...

but I recommend that they don't use uber high clamp pressure in their pressure plates... it tends to kill motors

 

[SupraDupra500]

yea tough on thrust washers..

 

[s turbo 87]

Tentative!

Year: 1987
Make: Toyota
Model: Supra
Engine: 7M-GTE
Turbo: 70mm or larger
Configuration: full face
Contents: Kit
Material: Carbon or Feramic
Street driven: yes
Modifications: Lots

Just showing some interest, curious about pricing.

 

[SupraDupra500]

Just talked to the vendor. The pricing will have to come later because he came in this morning from being out yesterday and had a huge list of calls to return.
Now, to answer some of your questions.
1. Is there a clamping force guarantee? No. Some other companies 'modify' stock pressure plates by removing about .030 of pressure plate material. When clutches wear, after about 1/3 of their life they hit maximum clamping load. He has done that before, just does not like to do it because they're used to doing factory replacement clutches, and thats not something you do to OE unless 100% necessary. However, if the customer wants it, he'll do it.
2. Company name? My distributor is All-Tran. The company that makes the parts is Rabco. They are the same company that makes parts for another MAJOR clutch manufacturer/distributor.
3. Life? Since they are using exact same materials as another major clutch manufacturer, it should be the same. 6 puck feramic about 15,000 miles depending on the driver. It's about the same as any other manufacturer.
4. Warranty? Most companies offer 3 month or 6 month warranties. This company offers a 2 year warranty on complete kits. Nothing on discs. There is just one tough stipulation on the warranty. The flywheel MUST be turned by them (All-Tran). I asked him if the warranty is good if they replace the flywheel, he said he would have to know the brand of flywheel. But you have to consider, if they have enough confidence to put a 2 year warranty on their parts, how can you go wrong? As long as you have your flywheel turned, you should be just fine.
5. Any info supporting these clutches? No, they're still working on expanding their customer base beyond our local market. He said the only re-assurance he can give you is, as I said before, he uses the exact same materials as another major clutch vendor. All I can say is my vendor gets their parts from the same place as South Bend Clutches.
6. Manufacturer website? No to the manufacturer, yes to my vendor. Their website is www.all-tran.com. Most employees there have been there for 15+ years.

Well, I hope I answered all your questions. Like I said pricing will have to come tonight when I get home. My vendor will call me with my pricing later today.

I do have one price, a 6 puck Feramic sprung hub I can sell for $300 plus shipping. Never know, I might have a blow-out group buy price if I have enough interest.

 

[Poodles]

I can understand the flywheel resurfacing. I just had a clutch fail because of improper resurfacing (backstep wasn't machined)

 

[noah89t]

can they turn aluminum flywheels?

 

[SupraDupra500]

most aluminum flywheels have removeable faces that can be replaced. but to answer your question.. yes. as a matter of fact, last night me and a buddy put in one of my clutches and we replaced the surface on his fidanza flywheel.
As far as pricing, he never got back to me today, hopefully I'll hear something tomorrow. Sorry for the delay.

 

[annoyingrob]

Do they do multiplate setups?

 

[SupraDupra500]

I don't think they do, but I'll ask when I talk to him.

 

[SupraDupra500]

Latest update. Unfortnately this can't happen. I was talking with my division manager where I work and this creates a conflict of interest. By selling clutches, I essentially become their "competitor". Sorry for not getting back to you all sooner, Ive been working 13 hr. shifts for the last 5 days. So, like I said, I no longer offer these clutches. Maybe something can happen in the future.

Josh

 

[upgradedsupra]

Thanks for your time and effort and since a no go, I will kill this thread

Duane