Clutch Shoes / Springs

[bc24fl]

Ok did some moderate research online and came up with what I currently believe to be the best clutch/shoe on the market with respect to quality and performance. I've also had the pleasure of chatting with Mitchell from M2Racing about his product and he stands by the quality of his stuff. He says and I quote
"The quality of most europian metal is inferior to the metals we use in the U.S.
Along with the unique design of my shoes and springs.
they are what most pros run.
"

1. Feroni

2. M2Racing

What do you guys think?

[bc24fl]

I also read that the design in the springs is unique because it causes alot less friction and therefore lasting you alot longer than a standard spring.

[3pointX]

Isn't the point of the springs to cause friction? It is afterall a clutch and clutches don't work if there's no friction. Or am I just misunderstanding what you're saying?

[skeller]

M2C is the best feeling setup I have used.

[bc24fl]

3point good question. Although I can't find it now, somewhere on a forum there was a good description of the benefits of the unique design. One of which was longer lasting due to unique bend in springs which would cause less friction.

The gist of it was that his customers were able to run longer / stronger and complete the entire main due to less friction. And as a result many pro drivers use his stuff.

The truth is I don't know wtf I'm talking about. :o

I'm merely throwing this out there because was hoping for some feedback from those who have experienced either clutch.

[skeller]

I think it's less friction within the spring itself. The more common style springs have a long and short leg.....the longer leg holds the shoe down. I think friction builds heat in the coil because of this longer leg design.



But I could be wrong.

[hakmazter]

I thought the springs hold the clutch shoes in and centrifugal force causes them to expand and rub against the clutch bell causing kinetic energy.

[skeller]

It does...but as heat builds and stay in the spring it causes the spring to get weak and not close all the way and open too fast.

The M2C springs are short on both legs.

[Motoman827]

Has anyone tried a Ofna Hobao 8.5 clutch assembly? It has the short clutch springs that fit inside the shoe and looks well made. I picked one up cheap and am going to try it soon.

[vnmsgt]

I used to have a Hyper ST PRO and I liked there clutch shoes and springs. Believe it or not I have found the Caster 7075 aluminum clutch shoes to be some of the best for me. That is all I use now. I use to have CEN, HPI and the Dynamite so called " long life shoes" and they did not last near as long for me.

[bc24fl]

Ok direct quote from Mitch at M2Cracing...

" The main reason my system generates less heat is the
fact that the wrap around spring is in contact withe the clutch shoe in the heat generatiing
area( the face of the clutch shoe.)
You also gain about 20% more contact surface of the clutch shoe since you don't have the
slot for the spring.
coupled to that is the fact that the 4 shoe system has 25%more contact area since we
have added another clutch shoe.
The last factor is that the u.s. grade material is much tighter controlled quality aluminum
than metals made outside the u.s.
mitch

"

[Motoman827]

Vnmsgt

I still have a set of the Caster shoes (7075) that I haven't used yet....I'm going to have to try them. Are you using the stock flywheel and clutch bell that comes with the kit? Which clutch bell are you using?

Thanks

[3pointX]

Ok direct quote from Mitch at M2Cracing...

" The main reason my system generates less heat is the
fact that the wrap around spring is in contact withe the clutch shoe in the heat generatiing
area( the face of the clutch shoe.)
You also gain about 20% more contact surface of the clutch shoe since you don't have the
slot for the spring.
coupled to that is the fact that the 4 shoe system has 25%more contact area since we
have added another clutch shoe.
The last factor is that the u.s. grade material is much tighter controlled quality aluminum
than metals made outside the u.s.
mitch

"

That actually makes sense when it's explained that way, and I'll tell you why. As in a lot of things in auto racing, the same principles apply to RC racing. Heat is a clutch's worst enemy. Problem is, the point of a clutch is to cause friction, thus locking the driveline together to transfer power to the wheels. But heat is an unfortunate byproduct of friction. That heat, in teh case of a clutch, leads to glazing, which causes slipping, thus more heat, more glazing, and the cycle perpetuates until the clutch material is reduced to a pile of worthless shredded monkey crap. It sounds to me like this clutch assembly is designed to create maximum grip while still controlling excess heat. By creating a larger surface area, the clutch doesn't have to work as hard to do its job, and combine that added surface area and the material used, it sounds like the shoes will in a way act as their own heatsink.

I just ordered the Caster 7075 clutch but in the unblikely event it doesn't suit my needs, I might ive this a try. Thanks for posting that, BC.

[KiwiBird]

I am using the Caster White clutch shoes JR-0081 in my latest ZX-1R team kit, so far they seem to be verygood, but need a bit more time with them. Was my first run today with new set up and AXE Rossi Mamba motor.

[bc24fl]

Can anyone comment on a pro main that was run using caster clutch/spring shoes?

And 3point no problem, not always do I post junk material some is actually descent stuff. ;)

[razzor]

The newer clutch shoes are a big improvement compared to the older shoes.
My setup is to use 2 nylon shoes with one ally and 1mm springs.

A lot of guys will listen to the pro racers and go full ally and 1.1 springs but then get frustrated as they wear out faster.
The "pro" setup works well but i found to generate too much heat causing bearing failure or and the clutch springs to loose tension.
The M2C setup looks the job and with more surface area alone will be a improvement but note the clutch setup used would also depend on what you want to achieve and what surface/traction is available.
Pointless having a hard engaging setup if on a loose surface compared to a blue groove setup with good traction.

Again its a trial and error and in some cases a black art to get that little bit extra out of your engine and putting it down.

[bc24fl]

Again its a trial and error and in some cases a black art to get that little bit extra out of your engine and putting it down.

Right razzor. I'm starting to think everything RC is that way. Reminds me alot of my poker days.