Hydraulic vs. Manual clutch

[johnpinetree]

Did some searching, but would like to get the latest take on pros and cons.

My plans for the car will be as a fair weather driver and occasional days at autoX.

I'm planning on running the Gen 3 Coyote with a T56. After a really informative deep dive with GTBradley the other day, a main priority for me will be to get the power from the Coyote onto the ground when going for a quick launch. Can anyone offer some opinions on the pros and cons of a manual versus hydraulic clutch in terms of transferring that power to the pavement (rather than a great big ball of white smoke)?

[Vspeeds]

I’m running a stroked 427 (351W) with a dual disc clutch and a hydraulic throwout bearing. My car is a daily driver and I put over 13,000 miles on it in 2020. With over 500HP there is no problem transferring the power. I have the 289 USSRC with smaller tires than the regular roadster. Even with a little wheelspin, the last time I used the Speedhut guage, 0-60mph in just under 4 seconds. With the hydraulic clutch the pedal is nice and smooth. And with the dual disc clutch, the clutch pedal is light and perfect for the daily driving I do even in commute traffic. The only cons I have with my setup is the added complexity and higher cost for parts.

[NAZ]

Either a hydraulic or mechanical clutch release will work for your intended purpose. There are two popular style hydraulic release systems, an externally mounted slave cylinder (actuator) that operates a mechanical T/O bearing through a lever arm and a hydraulic T/O bearing that is totally enclosed inside the bellhousing. The latter type is not compatible with all clutch types. Hydraulic release system are slower to operate than a well designed mechanical release but the average driver will never notice this. But if you want to bang through the gears like a drag racer, you won't be happy with a hydraulic release system, it will slow you down and cause missed shifts. Both mechanical and hydraulic systems have proven reliable but if you do have a leak in the hydraulic T/O bearing it will require splitting the engine and trans to service or repair the unit.

The real advantage of the hydraulic release is its packaging footprint and it's easier to adjust the pedal effort (the thing that makes the pedal easier to push) than a mechanical release. Either can be made to provide a softer pedal but the mechanical release is more difficult to change the original ratio as it is all based on levers and or pulleys. The hydraulic systems use the ratio between the M/C and slave cylinder to change the pedal effort. Both can also use the actual brake pedal ratio to change the pedal effort.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Getting power to the ground for maximum acceleration means fine throttle & clutch control as these cars with high horsepower Coyote's are very very traction limited even with 315 100 treadware tires. IMHO a mechanical clutch system is easier to operate from a control point of view than a hydraulic one.

A hydraulic system will be softer on your leg if the clutch pressure is very high. I have an extender on my throw-out fork for additional leverage. Clutch is a CenterForce Dual Friction rated at a torque capacity of 687FT/LB.

FWIW Am 79 & have no trouble using this clutch.