R500 Race Clutch - Calling Peter Carmichael

[Richard Anderson]

After a lot of investigation I've settled on a dual-plate 184mm Helix racing clutch supported by a QED ultra-lightweight flywheel for my 1.9K.

I am told Peter Carmichael had a very similar setup in his 250bhp 1.8K.

What I don't know is if this setup needs a hydraulic clutch or the cable operated lever will be ok? 

I wonder if Peter or anyone else can confirm?

Cheers,

Rich.

[Ian Mackenzie]

I would think that it could be either, just depends on the mechanical ratios....I've just done a Duratec and used a Helix Clutch as well, but not as serious as your set up.

You'll need to look at the clutch finger as well to get the appropriate release bearing, are the clutch finger straight or curly at the end?

Cheers

Ian

[elie boone]

What does Helix advice ?

[7 wonders of the world]

Since the clutch release arm in the hydraulic K set up is prone to failure - unless you rework this I would look to avoid putting any addition loading on it with and an uprated clutch pack, so why not use the cable option making sure you route the top end of the cable correctly into the pedal box.

[John Vine]

Since the clutch release arm in the hydraulic K set up is prone to failure...

That was certainly the case with the specially fabricated dry-sump clutch fork.  But, IIRC, don't the hydraulic and cable Ks both use the standard Ford fork?

JV

[7 wonders of the world]

Hmmm  I not sure John,

All the ones I've seen had the fabricated DS version, might be wrong though, must be a K owner out there who can check for us.

 

[John Vine]

My understanding is that all dry-sumped Ks had the fabricated clutch fork, whereas all wet-sumped Ks (cable and hydraulic) had the standard, bomb-proof Ford fork.  I could be wrong there.  But, as you say, all that's needed is confirmation, or otherwise, from some K owners.

JV

[Richard Anderson]

Thanks everyone for the input :-)

You have helped the question along for me.

I have a Caterham dry sump with the fabricated clutch fork, which has already broken once.

I am now thinking that any consideration of a race clutch should be with the understanding that I will need to convert to hydraulic operation (if this is possible with the limited space of the bell housing with the oil sump).

I am currently trying to contact Peter Carmichael as he is the only other person I know using a race clutch in his car, to see if he can clarify.

Rich.

[monx]

Hi

did you get any feedback on this?

I am also looking into get a 180mm race clutch and new flywheels set up.

I run drysump bellhouse on R500 K