Ram

Ram Clutches — High-Performance Clutch Systems for Street, Strip & Race

Ram Clutches has been engineering performance clutch systems since 1956, building a reputation on clutch kits, pressure plates, flywheels, and clutch accessories that deliver reliable power transfer and consistent engagement across the full range of street, strip, and race applications. From daily-driven street performance builds to dedicated drag race cars running high-horsepower combinations, Ram Clutches produces clutch systems engineered for the specific torque capacity, pedal feel, and durability requirements of each application.

Performance Clutch Kits

Ram Clutches complete clutch kits include the pressure plate, clutch disc, and pilot bearing or bushing required for a complete clutch replacement in a single purchase. Kits are available in street, street/strip, and race configurations with friction disc materials and pressure plate clamp loads matched to the power level and usage pattern of each application.

Street clutch kits use organic or ceramic-organic friction materials that provide smooth engagement, low pedal effort, and quiet operation for daily-driven performance vehicles. Street/strip kits step up the clamp load and friction material for builds that see occasional track use alongside regular street driving, providing increased torque capacity without the harsh engagement and high pedal effort of a full race clutch. Race clutch kits use full-face ceramic or puck-style friction materials with maximum clamp load pressure plates for the highest torque capacity and most aggressive engagement characteristics.

Pressure Plates

Ram Clutches pressure plates are available in standard replacement and performance configurations for domestic V8 and import performance applications. Performance pressure plates increase clamp load over OEM specifications, providing higher torque capacity for modified engines without requiring a complete clutch kit replacement when the existing disc still has service life remaining. Diaphragm and Long style pressure plates are available depending on the application and the clutch disc being used.

Flywheels

Ram Clutches produces steel and aluminum flywheels for domestic V8 and import performance applications. Steel flywheels provide the rotational mass and heat capacity needed for street-driven vehicles where clutch slippage during normal driving generates heat that must be absorbed by the flywheel. Aluminum flywheels reduce rotating mass for improved throttle response and faster engine acceleration in race applications where clutch slippage is minimized and flywheel heat capacity is less critical.

SFI-certified flywheels are available for sanctioned drag racing applications where flywheel certification is required by the rulebook. Ram's SFI flywheels meet the burst strength and inspection requirements of NHRA and IHRA safety regulations for the power levels and RPM ranges of supported applications.

Hydraulic Clutch Components

Ram Clutches produces hydraulic clutch master cylinders, slave cylinders, and hydraulic throwout bearings for applications converting from mechanical linkage to hydraulic clutch actuation, or replacing worn hydraulic components in existing hydraulic clutch systems. Hydraulic throwout bearings simplify clutch system installation in swap applications by eliminating the external slave cylinder and clutch fork, providing a self-contained hydraulic actuation system that fits within the bellhousing.

Common Applications

Ram Clutches products cover Small Block and Big Block Chevy, GM LS and LT, Small Block and Big Block Ford, Ford Coyote and Modular, Chrysler/Mopar V8, and a range of import performance applications including Honda, Subaru, Mitsubishi, and Nissan platforms. Classic muscle car and modern performance vehicle applications are the primary focus, with clutch kits available for the most popular manual transmission and engine combinations used in street and race builds.

Clutch Selection Guidelines

Correct clutch selection requires matching the clutch torque capacity to the engine's peak torque output with an appropriate safety margin — typically 1.5x to 2x the engine's torque rating for street applications and higher for race use. Friction material selection affects engagement feel, heat resistance, and service life — organic materials provide the smoothest street engagement, while ceramic materials handle higher heat loads and provide more aggressive engagement for race use. Pedal effort increases with clamp load, so race clutches with maximum clamp load are not appropriate for street-driven vehicles where driver fatigue is a concern.

Installation Notes

Ram Clutches installations require correct flywheel resurfacing or replacement, correct pilot bearing or bushing installation, and correct clutch disc alignment during pressure plate installation. Torque a...