7 Reasons Why NOT to buy a centerforce clutch

***TitaniumTT*** · 11-01-2012, 01:15 PM

Since a picture is worth a thousand words.....

***TitaniumTT*** · 11-01-2012, 01:17 PM

All this happened @ 11psi boost and 364rwhp on the dyno..... rolling into it, so no shock.... centerforce SUCKS

Monkman33 · 11-01-2012, 01:59 PM

Damn....

***ZGN*** · 11-01-2012, 02:46 PM

Your FC? When did this happen?

***TitaniumTT*** · 11-01-2012, 03:56 PM

Not my FC, customer, fellow member, and friends car... 2gslse... his 13B-RE w/an ApexiRX6 turbo kit, VMIC, Haltech PS1000 etc etc.... ACT HD/SS installed already, just got a few things to button up and we'll be back on the dyno.... whenever the shop gets power back anyway...

Pete_89T2 · 11-01-2012, 05:25 PM

DAYUM! Looks like the clutch friction material is just riveted to the disk - I can't tell from the picture, but was there also an adhesive bonding the friction material to the disk? If not, then if one rivet shears it might lead to the spectactular failure we see here.

2gslse · 11-01-2012, 05:27 PM

LOL.... first weak link found. next weak link tires/traction then diff/ring and pinion
Good to see you back in one piece even if the shop is dark good thing you put it on the rack before you left.

Not bad for a FB its gonna be like driving on ice when its done at high boost

rxspeed7 · 11-01-2012, 06:48 PM

twin plate is the only way to go unless your a pussy......

2gslse · 11-01-2012, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rxspeed7

twin plate is the only way to go unless your a pussy......

twin plate would be nice but too much money for me on a clutch. running a act in the fd for 8 or 9 years now almost 400 at the wheels with no slipping.

daleclark · 11-02-2012, 08:56 AM

It might be good for other cars, but over the years I've found the Centerforce clutches to be primarily a marketing gimmick. They don't hold much power and aren't that well built, yet they're pricey. No thanks.

Dale

WE3RX7 · 11-02-2012, 10:29 AM

At least my old clutch had a spectacular ending. I'll admit that I'm actually the one who purchased that Centerforce about 6 years ago for my FC project... I ran it on the FC for about 200 miles before pulling the engine and then selling it another friend who never used it and eventually sold it to 2gslse.

The justification I had at that time was because a friend of mine was using one on his cobra 5.0 with no issues, so my logic was that if it could handle the 400ftlbs he was making of torque, my little 10psi 13BT engine would have no problem with it. I actually learned after installing it that a lot of rotary guys were having trouble with centerforce. Life lesson.. if nobody bought one and blew it up then we'd never know

Glad to hear the new ACT is in place. Hopefully you'll have it back before you'e literally driving on ice!

FC Zach · 11-02-2012, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daleclark

It might be good for other cars, but over the years I've found the Centerforce clutches to be primarily a marketing gimmick. They don't hold much power and aren't that well built, yet they're pricey. No thanks.

Dale

This may be true, Ive bought two of them. The first one I had on my daily for many many years and the second clutch was for my 2nd gen. I've never had any issue with either of mine. I've inspected the clutch on the Mazda after being installed for well over 5 years sometime last year and saw no visual defects. I absolutely love the pedal feel of the Centerforce DF clutch!

Now, with that being said. . I wouldn't buy another. Even though I may not have experienced any problems, that doesn't mean this couldn't happen to me either and those pictures are enough reason to deter me from ever wanting another (I was always skeptical about the Kevlar patches and how they were mounted). I would've guessed that those would have released before the carbon side let go.

Thanks for sharing the pics, I'll be in the market for an Exedy clutch next and at the moment I'm reminded that I should invest in a good quality shield like the unit Goopy produces http://www.rotarycarclub.com/rotary_...ad.php?t=14846

RotorDad · 11-02-2012, 01:20 PM

I had a Dual Friction & it was pure garbage. Damn thing came apart on me, but I should have known after the same thing happened to two of my friends before hand. Mine looked like the one above, except one of the springs popped out the hub as well. Then I went with an Exedy set up after the Centerforce shit out.

2gslse · 11-02-2012, 01:41 PM

I never heard anything bad about the centerforce before I bought my first one for a GSLSE so when this one popped up (may as well been free) with no miles on it to speak of I put it in my turbo FB it was always a question of what would be the first failure but I figured it would have lasted a little while before slipping and acting as a fuse to protect the axles. never thought it would explode on the dyno making a pull.

one320fc · 11-02-2012, 02:26 PM

Makes me feel better I never used that clutch, sorry MC

11-01-2012, 01:59 PM	#3
Monkman33 Still Building my FD Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pasco, WA iTrader: (1) Posts: 255 Rep Power: 16	Damn.... __________________ Uh.... hi.

11-01-2012, 02:46 PM	#4
*ZGN* I fly drones & film crap. Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Birmingham, AL iTrader: (6) Posts: 2,262 Rep Power: 10	Your FC? When did this happen? __________________ Kevin

11-01-2012, 03:56 PM	#5
*TitaniumTT* Test Whore - Admin Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right Behind you son iTrader: (4) Posts: 4,581 Rep Power: 10	Not my FC, customer, fellow member, and friends car... 2gslse... his 13B-RE w/an ApexiRX6 turbo kit, VMIC, Haltech PS1000 etc etc.... ACT HD/SS installed already, just got a few things to button up and we'll be back on the dyno.... whenever the shop gets power back anyway... __________________ -The Angry Stig- DGRR 2009, 2011, 2012 & 2013 - Best FC DEALS GAP!! WOOHOOOO!!!!! 2015 Audi S4 - Samantha - Zero Brap S4 2004 RX8 - Jocelyn - 196rwhp, 19mpg fuel to noise converter 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport - Wifey mobile - Now with 2.5" OME lift and 30" BFG AT KO's! So it begins 1998 Jeep Cherokee - 5 spd, 4" lift, 33" BFG's - Rotary Tow Vehicle 1988 'Vert - In progress 1988 FC Coupe - Gretchen -The attention whore BEAST! I'm a sick individual, what's wrong with you? I'm pure Evil I'm still insane, in the best possible way. I think Brian's idea of romance is using lube. Your rage caused the meteor strike in Russia. The Antichrist would be proud of his minion. You win with your thread. Most everything It's a truck with a steel gate on the back. Just a statement of fact Motec M820, AIM dash, ported 13B-RE Cosmo, 6-spd trans, 4.3 Torsen, custom twin wg fully divided mani, Custom 4" split into 2x 3" exhaust, Custom HMIC, Custom custom custom custom I like to welder stuff.... No Bolt-ons allowed. Dyno'ed @ Speed1 Tuned by me - 405rwhp on WG.... WM50 cuming soon. *-Angry Motherfcker Mode ENGAGED-**

11-01-2012, 05:27 PM	#7
2gslse Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: front royal va iTrader: (0) Posts: 440 Rep Power: 17	LOL.... first weak link found. next weak link tires/traction then diff/ring and pinion Good to see you back in one piece even if the shop is dark good thing you put it on the rack before you left. Not bad for a FB its gonna be like driving on ice when its done at high boost __________________ ____________________________________________ 1976 Cosmo needing lots of work 1993 Rx-7 410 RWHP single turbo toy 1985 Rx-7 toy/project car 411HP stoplight terror 2001 Dodge ram 4wd.parts hauler 2016 Ram 2500 cause its a hemi 2006 VW TDI commuter __________________________________________ I guarantee there's a pregnant redneck teenager somewhere in a shitty trailer park that thinks "Ebola would be a lovely name for their child"...

11-02-2012, 01:20 PM	#13
RotorDad Big Ugly Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fredericksburg, Va iTrader: (1) Posts: 591 Rep Power: 16	I had a Dual Friction & it was pure garbage. Damn thing came apart on me, but I should have known after the same thing happened to two of my friends before hand. Mine looked like the one above, except one of the springs popped out the hub as well. Then I went with an Exedy set up after the Centerforce shit out. __________________ *Boosted Big Body On 335's* PS3 ID: Rotordad 1986 Mazda RX7 GXL - Street ported 13BT, Haltech, 62mm, ect. 2006 MazdaSpeed 6 - Eagle, Wiseco, Cobb, ect.

11-01-2012, 05:25 PM	#6
Pete_89T2 Lifetime Rotorhead Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Elkton, MD iTrader: (1) Posts: 874 Rep Power: 15	DAYUM! Looks like the clutch friction material is just riveted to the disk - I can't tell from the picture, but was there also an adhesive bonding the friction material to the disk? If not, then if one rivet shears it might lead to the spectactular failure we see here.

11-02-2012, 08:56 AM	#10
daleclark RX-7 Bad Ass Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Pensacola, FL iTrader: (0) Posts: 105 Rep Power: 17	It might be good for other cars, but over the years I've found the Centerforce clutches to be primarily a marketing gimmick. They don't hold much power and aren't that well built, yet they're pricey. No thanks. Dale

11-02-2012, 10:29 AM	#11
WE3RX7 RCC Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 1,812 Rep Power: 18	At least my old clutch had a spectacular ending. I'll admit that I'm actually the one who purchased that Centerforce about 6 years ago for my FC project... I ran it on the FC for about 200 miles before pulling the engine and then selling it another friend who never used it and eventually sold it to 2gslse. The justification I had at that time was because a friend of mine was using one on his cobra 5.0 with no issues, so my logic was that if it could handle the 400ftlbs he was making of torque, my little 10psi 13BT engine would have no problem with it. I actually learned after installing it that a lot of rotary guys were having trouble with centerforce. Life lesson.. if nobody bought one and blew it up then we'd never know Glad to hear the new ACT is in place. Hopefully you'll have it back before you'e literally driving on ice!

11-02-2012, 01:41 PM	#14
2gslse Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: front royal va iTrader: (0) Posts: 440 Rep Power: 17	I never heard anything bad about the centerforce before I bought my first one for a GSLSE so when this one popped up (may as well been free) with no miles on it to speak of I put it in my turbo FB it was always a question of what would be the first failure but I figured it would have lasted a little while before slipping and acting as a fuse to protect the axles. never thought it would explode on the dyno making a pull. __________________ ____________________________________________ 1976 Cosmo needing lots of work 1993 Rx-7 410 RWHP single turbo toy 1985 Rx-7 toy/project car 411HP stoplight terror 2001 Dodge ram 4wd.parts hauler 2016 Ram 2500 cause its a hemi 2006 VW TDI commuter __________________________________________ I guarantee there's a pregnant redneck teenager somewhere in a shitty trailer park that thinks "Ebola would be a lovely name for their child"...

11-02-2012, 02:26 PM	#15
one320fc one Apex @ a time Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Culpeper VA iTrader: (1) Posts: 272 Rep Power: 17	Makes me feel better I never used that clutch, sorry MC __________________ 1983 Limited Edition SOLD 1977 Mazda REPU I will work on it one day I sware!! 1987 T2 um after the repu is done?? 2013 Chrysler 200 DD 2009 Dodge Journey 94 Volvo 850 N/A The slowest car I have EVER owned!!!