You know the name, and you know the game – we’re looking at more parts that are going toward the Pusher compound turbo system build. This week, a shipment came in with a brand new clutch (PN NMU70NV56DDSN-ORG) from Valair.
If you read our recent article laying out the scope of the project, you know that we’ve had some difficulties with getting the truck to make a clean pass on the dynamometer. Unfortunately, that problem is still ongoing, but it hasn’t stopped us from looking for solutions.
The latest theory has been that the transmission isn’t up to snuff. Usually between 2000-2500 rpm, while the truck is in third gear, a cutout occurs. It doesn’t cause an total drop-off in torque or horsepower, but it does indicate an issue. With a new clutch, we’re hoping that the issue is fixed.
After some discussion with the experts at Valair, we decided the solution would be a dual-disc clutch. Not only would it be a suitable replacement for a failing part, but it would be a trustworthy addition, ready to handle the additional horsepower and torque that comes with a compound turbo setup.
We reached out to Valair’s vice president, Dan Vallance, for some more information. When asked for advice on when to seek out a new clutch, Vallance said: “Modifying a truck to reach higher horsepower and torque is usually a good point to look at clutches. It’s better to do it before you tear something up. Also, if you hear noises or notice difficulty in getting in and out of gear, it’s time for a new clutch. Lastly, if you notice the pedal is getting extremely high before engagement, that’s a good sign that’s its worn out and in need of replacement.”
Something that intrigued us about this clutch was that it was the Quiet version of the dual disc kit. Vallance was able to shed some light on this, saying, “We called it ‘quiet’ because it uses a strap to hold the floater plate and prevent it from rattling. The strap is made out of spring steel.”
Customers looking to upgrade horsepower and torque would do well to seek out a clutch like we received from Valair. We’re really looking forward to seeing how this clutch does once the truck is back in one piece. In the meantime, we invite you to check out Valair on its website and Facebook page.
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