First serious 4 gear car

[heartbeatman]

Hi all ! I am building an 18 degree 377 for my 69 camaro and I am getting closer to finally being able to turn the key on the thing after a too many years of work . One of my next expenses is a clutch for the thing and with sooo many options and opinions I thought I would post here and see what the experts think !! I have a richmond t 10 and the original 12 bolt with 4.56 gears and was trying to figure out what clutch would be best . The car will be street driven but drivability isn't an issue as I am looking more for performance. I dont have a flywheel yet so whether I go with aluminum or steel is another question I have . Any opinions on the richmond trans. or any tricks to make it survive ? Thanks for the input !!

[Supershafts]

mostly street use or street and drag or street and road. . . . .?

[heartbeatman]

Sorry I left that out , The car will be mostly street driven with probably less than 10 trips a year to the 1/4 mile drag strip. I am looking for a pretty serious street car . Street driving will just be cruising around the town with little to no highway driving. Thanks Ken

[tjs44]

iron case and midplate for sure.Tom

[heartbeatman]

iron case and midplate for sure.Tom

I am not sure what you mean ?

[tjs44]

Is your ST-10 a alu case trans or a iron case trans?Iron cases and steel midplates are avail for them.Tom

[heartbeatman]

Oh , my richmond t-10 is a aluminum case

[Moparious Maximus]

You may want to take it easy on the drag strip, a healthy motor and some bite and I bet that t-10 dont last to long.

[tjs44]

they did make a stout model with iron case,steel midplate and hi nickle gears.I believe it on came in a 2.64 first gear.Tom

[heartbeatman]

You may want to take it easy on the drag strip, a healthy motor and some bite and I bet that t-10 dont last to long.

Ha thats kinda what I have been thinking ! I was wondering if an adjustable clutch would be the way to go ? Maybe take some of the shock off the trans and rearend . Although I havent read anything too positive about those in a street application even if it is limited street use. I dont know if that is true ?

[prostreetL-78]

I am running a Mcleod Softloc in my 67 camaro after switching from a Mcleod street twin. This is in a 67 camaro with a 700 hp 498 bbc, G force 5 speed and 9" Ford.

The soft loc clutch works well on the street but you need to be careful with it. The base pressure needs to be cranked up to drive it on the street. I wouldn't go any other way if you want to race it though.

Brent

[heartbeatman]

Thanks Brent , that's kind of the info. I was curious about . What is involved with adjusting the pressure ? So basically the pressure is cranked while street driving but if I am heading to the track then I would dial it back some ? I assume because the Traction at the track is a lot better . Thanks again !!!!!!

[autogear]

If you're serious about an adjustable clutch, Tim Hyatt at Hyatt Racing Services is your guy

[heartbeatman]

I did email him right after I posted last , waiting to hear from him but I guess he is the man ? Thanks

[autogear]

Ive spoken to him on the phone numerous times, hes a very kind person, very patient when explaining things and gives an honest opinion of whats on the market

Those T10s can last if you prep them right. Don Pearson does a great job with them. We build a Muncie derivative that uses a new main case, iron midplate, new tail housing and custom italian-made gearsets. We're good for well over 600hp in most applications; If your gearset is in good shape, and you get your bellhousing dialed in, you should be fine; missed shifts and perfect launches not withstanding.