Clutch options for 5.0ltr V8
Discussion
I was wondering what the options are for the Griff 500. The best deal online looks like the TVR Q KIT500 @ £315 is the obvious choice for most however it seems fairly pricey. Are there many alternatives or can you get the parts direct from AP or similar for considerably less ?
TIA
Richard
TIA
Richard
Beat me to it.
Yes My Tvr Parts clutch is very light. My cars got 300 hp or there abouts and it handles the power.
My clutch fork arm was also replaced and everything properly greased so adds to the smooth pedal I imagine.
Having only had it 6 months it’s hard to say regards longevity but so far it’s superb. The lightest clutch on any Tvr I’ve ever felt other than servo assisted ones. This is on a par with those.
Suggests to me it has lighter spring tension so only time will tell if it proves to be reliable.
Saying that in the last 6 months I’ve driven it almost daily so like 2 years worth for many owners in reality.
Either the other clutches are overkill or this one weak. Hard to say but frankly I don’t care because it’s wonderful to operate.
If you don’t want to be racing away from lights every two minutes then I think this clutch is fine as 95% of the time we are holding the power back not booting it.
I’m very pleased so far.
Yes My Tvr Parts clutch is very light. My cars got 300 hp or there abouts and it handles the power.
My clutch fork arm was also replaced and everything properly greased so adds to the smooth pedal I imagine.
Having only had it 6 months it’s hard to say regards longevity but so far it’s superb. The lightest clutch on any Tvr I’ve ever felt other than servo assisted ones. This is on a par with those.
Suggests to me it has lighter spring tension so only time will tell if it proves to be reliable.
Saying that in the last 6 months I’ve driven it almost daily so like 2 years worth for many owners in reality.
Either the other clutches are overkill or this one weak. Hard to say but frankly I don’t care because it’s wonderful to operate.
If you don’t want to be racing away from lights every two minutes then I think this clutch is fine as 95% of the time we are holding the power back not booting it.
I’m very pleased so far.
phazed said:
My son recently fitted a new clutch to Alun's car which he bought as a standard 500 clutch from Powers, (AP?).
What a lovely feeling clutch, light, smooth and bites nicely. You don't need any more for a 500 or thereabouts .
Would a Powers standard 500 clutch cope with the occasional fun run up the strip with R888/R1Rs with about 300bhp?What a lovely feeling clutch, light, smooth and bites nicely. You don't need any more for a 500 or thereabouts .
phazed said:
My son recently fitted a new clutch to Alun's car which he bought as a standard 500 clutch from Powers, (AP?).
What a lovely feeling clutch, light, smooth and bites nicely. You don't need any more for a 500 or thereabouts .
I've now followed the AP route with the same excellent results, my new 5.0 AP unit only has to cope with 250hp and 260 ft/lbs in my gas powered 4.0 litre so it's in for an easy life What a lovely feeling clutch, light, smooth and bites nicely. You don't need any more for a 500 or thereabouts .
. For one reason and another I've had a few clutches, none being operator error or clutch abuse BTW In the end and after some bad experiences I just decided to fit an AP as it seems to be universally reviewed as the best, and its clearly used successfully on more powerful RV8 TVRs so I'm expecting good longevity from it. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but all early indications are I really should have gone AP in the first place, it's made the car so much nicer to drive.... especially maneuvering at low speed like when I'm reverse parking ect.
Recommended
Thanks for all the positive replies,
The real question is, can you wheel spin R888s with the standard AP 500 clutch ????
Great to hear from you after so many years.
You’ll have to tell me when you’re down the strip next year so you can show me how its done
The sight of your Wizards NOS in the school car park use to make me really smile especially given the surrounding company, for example one parent told my wife off for dropping the kids off at school in a WRX Impreza and said she was irresponsible, I'm surprised they never told me off for using the Griffith for the school run.
The real question is, can you wheel spin R888s with the standard AP 500 clutch ????
LongBaz said:
Hi Steve
Hope all is well with you......you are now on that slippery slope. It all starts with that 'fun run'
Barrie Hope all is well with you......you are now on that slippery slope. It all starts with that 'fun run'
Great to hear from you after so many years.
You’ll have to tell me when you’re down the strip next year so you can show me how its done
The sight of your Wizards NOS in the school car park use to make me really smile especially given the surrounding company, for example one parent told my wife off for dropping the kids off at school in a WRX Impreza and said she was irresponsible, I'm surprised they never told me off for using the Griffith for the school run.
Hi, just thought I’d add to this topic.
A fellow Pistonheads member has informed me that the AP clutch for the 500 is no longer available.
Having had one of these in a previous car and been VERY pleased with it I was disappointed to hear this as I will be needing one in the near future.
I called AP direct who informed me this was correct. They do not know when or if any will become available.....
Apparently TVR Power are aware of the situation and are in the process of sourcing an alternative although how soon I don’t know.
A real pity and apart from Helix what are the alternatives?
Regards Chris.
A fellow Pistonheads member has informed me that the AP clutch for the 500 is no longer available.
Having had one of these in a previous car and been VERY pleased with it I was disappointed to hear this as I will be needing one in the near future.
I called AP direct who informed me this was correct. They do not know when or if any will become available.....
Apparently TVR Power are aware of the situation and are in the process of sourcing an alternative although how soon I don’t know.
A real pity and apart from Helix what are the alternatives?
Regards Chris.
s3c chris said:
Hi, just thought I’d add to this topic.
A fellow Pistonheads member has informed me that the AP clutch for the 500 is no longer available.
Having had one of these in a previous car and been VERY pleased with it I was disappointed to hear this as I will be needing one in the near future.
I called AP direct who informed me this was correct. They do not know when or if any will become available.....
Apparently TVR Power are aware of the situation and are in the process of sourcing an alternative although how soon I don’t know.
A real pity and apart from Helix what are the alternatives?
Regards Chris.
That’s the story John Eales told me, however TVR Parts still have a few in stock and are available, whereas Dom at Powers is keeping his last few for his own workshop customers.A fellow Pistonheads member has informed me that the AP clutch for the 500 is no longer available.
Having had one of these in a previous car and been VERY pleased with it I was disappointed to hear this as I will be needing one in the near future.
I called AP direct who informed me this was correct. They do not know when or if any will become available.....
Apparently TVR Power are aware of the situation and are in the process of sourcing an alternative although how soon I don’t know.
A real pity and apart from Helix what are the alternatives?
Regards Chris.
I'm feeling extremely lucky as I recently bought mine from Dom. Dom, if you're tuned in THANK YOU and thanks for the 1st class service as always!!!
I think this looks right?
The wavy centre plate makes the clutch progressive, where as cheap plates are flat.
MisterT said:
Is that the correct cover plate for the 5.0 engines? Or is CP2345-4 for the 4.x ltr engines. I was under the impression CP2394 with a higher torque rating was the clutch cover for the 5.0ltrs. Have I got that wrong?
I don’t know, that’s partly why I posted a picture showing the AP part numbers.On APs website CP2394 you mention has a higher clamping force plus is the one unavailable so you’ve now got smug SteveSprint worried.
Thanks for making me aware of the possible confusion, I’ll email Dom.
From a far early post ..........
This the information I received from AP racing when I contacted them recently after my own clutch failed
The Rover V8 powered TVR Griffith are normally equipped with a 9.5" clutch type.
AP Racing used to supply TVR with a medium torque clutch kit.
CP2345-8 pressure plate, clamp load 1900lb, retail 97.12 + vat
CP2346-4 driven plate, spring centre, organic facings, 1.0"x23T spline. retail 92.55 + vat
this combination will handle 270lbft.
The next option will accept 300lbft
CP2394-14 pressure plate, clamp load 2400lb, triple drive straps to add strength for reverse torque from down changes, SG iron pressure plate casting rated to 9,000RPM. retail 138.00 + vat. Release load will increase by approx10% over above kit.
Use with CP2346-4 driven plate.
You can order the above via our agent in the North, Questmead in Rochdale sales@questmead.co.uk
Peter Collen AP Racing
Hope this helps.
This the information I received from AP racing when I contacted them recently after my own clutch failed
The Rover V8 powered TVR Griffith are normally equipped with a 9.5" clutch type.
AP Racing used to supply TVR with a medium torque clutch kit.
CP2345-8 pressure plate, clamp load 1900lb, retail 97.12 + vat
CP2346-4 driven plate, spring centre, organic facings, 1.0"x23T spline. retail 92.55 + vat
this combination will handle 270lbft.
The next option will accept 300lbft
CP2394-14 pressure plate, clamp load 2400lb, triple drive straps to add strength for reverse torque from down changes, SG iron pressure plate casting rated to 9,000RPM. retail 138.00 + vat. Release load will increase by approx10% over above kit.
Use with CP2346-4 driven plate.
You can order the above via our agent in the North, Questmead in Rochdale sales@questmead.co.uk
Peter Collen AP Racing
Hope this helps.
Gosh it’s all very confusing!
When the clutch in my 500 Chimaera was replaced with the parts I mentioned, the action was nice and light and progressive too.
The clutch was replaced only as a matter of course when the box came out and as far as I could tell was identical to the one TVR fitted from new, which I still have and it had only done 26k Miles.
Unless the engine is substantially modified or the car is used a lot on the track, I personally would have thought the “standard” TVR one is perfectly adequate. this is the one I will try and locate.....
Just my thoughts..... Chris.
When the clutch in my 500 Chimaera was replaced with the parts I mentioned, the action was nice and light and progressive too.
The clutch was replaced only as a matter of course when the box came out and as far as I could tell was identical to the one TVR fitted from new, which I still have and it had only done 26k Miles.
Unless the engine is substantially modified or the car is used a lot on the track, I personally would have thought the “standard” TVR one is perfectly adequate. this is the one I will try and locate.....
Just my thoughts..... Chris.
Sardonicus said:
From a far early post ..........
This the information I received from AP racing when I contacted them recently after my own clutch failed
The Rover V8 powered TVR Griffith are normally equipped with a 9.5" clutch type.
AP Racing used to supply TVR with a medium torque clutch kit.
CP2345-8 pressure plate, clamp load 1900lb, retail 97.12 + vat
CP2346-4 driven plate, spring centre, organic facings, 1.0"x23T spline. retail 92.55 + vat
this combination will handle 270lbft.
The next option will accept 300lbft
CP2394-14 pressure plate, clamp load 2400lb, triple drive straps to add strength for reverse torque from down changes, SG iron pressure plate casting rated to 9,000RPM. retail 138.00 + vat. Release load will increase by approx10% over above kit.
Use with CP2346-4 driven plate.
You can order the above via our agent in the North, Questmead in Rochdale sales@questmead.co.uk
Peter Collen AP Racing
Hope this helps.
Those prices This the information I received from AP racing when I contacted them recently after my own clutch failed
The Rover V8 powered TVR Griffith are normally equipped with a 9.5" clutch type.
AP Racing used to supply TVR with a medium torque clutch kit.
CP2345-8 pressure plate, clamp load 1900lb, retail 97.12 + vat
CP2346-4 driven plate, spring centre, organic facings, 1.0"x23T spline. retail 92.55 + vat
this combination will handle 270lbft.
The next option will accept 300lbft
CP2394-14 pressure plate, clamp load 2400lb, triple drive straps to add strength for reverse torque from down changes, SG iron pressure plate casting rated to 9,000RPM. retail 138.00 + vat. Release load will increase by approx10% over above kit.
Use with CP2346-4 driven plate.
You can order the above via our agent in the North, Questmead in Rochdale sales@questmead.co.uk
Peter Collen AP Racing
Hope this helps.
. They must be from last century!Chris, I'm with you, I think the std TVR 500 item will be ok. There is a risk in trying to find the higher torque rated CP2394 that once fitted I'll be no better off with the pedal pressure than the Helix clutch I've got now and that's one of the key issues I'm trying to address (amongst others).
Sardonicus said:
From a far early post ..........
This the information I received from AP racing when I contacted them recently after my own clutch failed
The Rover V8 powered TVR Griffith are normally equipped with a 9.5" clutch type.
AP Racing used to supply TVR with a medium torque clutch kit.
CP2345-8 pressure plate, clamp load 1900lb, retail 97.12 + vat
CP2346-4 driven plate, spring centre, organic facings, 1.0"x23T spline. retail 92.55 + vat
this combination will handle 270lbft.
The next option will accept 300lbft
CP2394-14 pressure plate, clamp load 2400lb, triple drive straps to add strength for reverse torque from down changes, SG iron pressure plate casting rated to 9,000RPM. retail 138.00 + vat. Release load will increase by approx10% over above kit.
Use with CP2346-4 driven plate.
You can order the above via our agent in the North, Questmead in Rochdale sales@questmead.co.uk
Peter Collen AP Racing
Hope this helps.
Good info Simon This the information I received from AP racing when I contacted them recently after my own clutch failed
The Rover V8 powered TVR Griffith are normally equipped with a 9.5" clutch type.
AP Racing used to supply TVR with a medium torque clutch kit.
CP2345-8 pressure plate, clamp load 1900lb, retail 97.12 + vat
CP2346-4 driven plate, spring centre, organic facings, 1.0"x23T spline. retail 92.55 + vat
this combination will handle 270lbft.
The next option will accept 300lbft
CP2394-14 pressure plate, clamp load 2400lb, triple drive straps to add strength for reverse torque from down changes, SG iron pressure plate casting rated to 9,000RPM. retail 138.00 + vat. Release load will increase by approx10% over above kit.
Use with CP2346-4 driven plate.
You can order the above via our agent in the North, Questmead in Rochdale sales@questmead.co.uk
Peter Collen AP Racing
Hope this helps.
So it looks like I got the 4.0 litre kit with the 10% lighter action than the 5.0 litre, that's ideal as this lighter action is exactly what I wanted.
I love the feel of my AP4.0 litre kit, the take up is light, controllable and progressive, it's a super smooth and very forgiving clutch.
'Ol Gasbag' is recorded as producing a proven 260 ft/lbs so the AP Racing 4.0 litre kit rated at 270 ft/lbs seems spot on for me.
This is definitely the best clutch I've had by far
Gassing Station | Griffith | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff