Back Your LS with RAM Clutches, Flywheels, and Release Bearings

RAM Clutches has spent the past five decades doing just one thing—developing and manufacturing professional-grade clutch systems for high-performance street and racing vehicles. And it’s a good thing RAM is so good at it, because only the best clutch components will safely and reliably transfer the big power that GM LS engines can send to the tires. Summit Racing carries several precision-built RAM performance clutch kits for GM LS, plus billet aluminum and steel flywheels, hydraulic release bearings, billet steel alignment tools, and more. Here is a sampling of the RAM components available for your GM LS at Summit Racing:

Hydraulic Release Bearings
Looking for an adjustable substitute for the failure-prone stock hydraulic release bearing assembly? Then you want a RAM Hydraulic Release Bearing. The full-floating design provides a simple and quick setup with any single- or dual-disc clutch arrangement. The bearings feature larger-than-stock O-rings and PTFE backup rings in the grooves to eliminate leakage and improve service life. A snap ring on the front of the piston prevents over-travel and keeps the bearing from pushing off the sleeve. 

Flywheels
Ditch the weak OEM cast flywheel for a suitable high-performance alternative. RAM has you covered with billet steel flywheels that provide superior strength or lightweight billet aluminum flywheels for high-revving engines. RAM flywheels are computer balanced to within one-half ounce and surface ground to provide an optimum mating surface and ensure that your new clutch doesn’t chatter or squeal on takeoff. They are also SFI-approved for high-performance use, which is an important consideration if you have sticky tires and perform lots of high RPM shifts. 

HDX Clutch Kits
If your LS-powered car doesn’t exceed 450 horsepower and is mainly driven on the street, then a RAM HDX Clutch Kit is the right choice for you. They deliver a smooth engagement with a high level of driver comfort. RAM achieves this by building the HDX pressure plates with 30% more clamp pressure and using an upgraded disc with an eight-spring hub assembly and premium organic composite friction lining. This arrangement gives HDX clutches improved drivability and control with a big increase in power capacity over stock clutches. 

Powergrip Clutch Kits
Next up the performance ladder: RAM Powergrip Clutch Kits. These are the clutches you reach for when power levels are in the 550-horsepower range. The Powergrip’s disc features urethane-encapsulated coil springs in the eight-spring hub to absorb higher-than-factory shock loads. It is lined with an organic/metallic friction material that retains the smooth engagement of a full organic but with a big increase in torque capacity. The competition-style pressure plate provides a 30% clamp pressure increase over stock and meets SFI specifications for track duty. 

Pro Street Dual-Disc Clutch Kits
Starting with a clean sheet design, RAM set out to make the Pro Street Dual-Disc Clutch Kits the perfect all-around clutch system. The core of the design is a billet aluminum pressure plate. RAM sets the static pressure, release length, and lever position in-house to deliver maximum holding power with the best possible drivability on the street or at the track. A special high-cone diaphragm enables easy high-RPM shifting. 

Another really cool feature of the Pro Street Clutches is that RAM lets you choose the flywheel and clutch discs. Flywheel choices include an SFI-certified billet steel or a billet aluminum model with a steel insert that draws heat away from the clutch to prevent distortion. For the clutch discs, you can pick either 300 Series organic material discs for super-smooth engagement on street vehicles making between 500 to 800 horsepower, or the 900 Series metallic discs for extreme duty/competition vehicles making as much as 1,200 horsepower. 

RAM Pro Street Dual-Disc Clutch Kits are one of the easiest clutches to modulate. They are chatter-free and always deliver smooth engagement and takeoff, unlike competitors’ systems that feel like an on/off switch as you release the clutch pedal. 

Force 10.5 Dual-Disc Clutch Kits
RAM’s Force 10.5 Dual-Disc Clutch Kits are another great choice. They are optimized for cars making between 500 to 1,200 horsepower. These kits feature a modular dual-disc design for increased performance and include your choice of an SFI-certified billet steel or billet aluminum flywheel to ensure proper balancing and vibration-free operation. A three-strap driven floater plate uses high clamp load pressure to generate the holding power required for high-horsepower vehicles without creating excessive pedal pressure. The floater ‘rattle’ common on stand driven clutch systems is also eliminated.

Here too, RAM lets you choose the type of clutch discs that you want to use. RAM recommends the 300 Series organic material discs for owners looking for super-smooth engagement in their street-based cars making between 500 to 800 horsepower. If your car spends most of its time at the track or makes between 600 to 1,200 horsepower, RAM says that the 900 Series metallic models will give you the best disc-life. 

SEE ALL RAM CLUTCHES AND COMPONENTS FOR GM LS AT SUMMIT RACING