EasyKart Clutch Questions/Issues

John Ward · Last edited by John Ward on Thu May 06, 2004 9:33 am, edited 2 times in total

Hey all... well recently i've been autocrossing my EasyKart more and more, and that is meaning that my clutch usage has gone up.

First of all, i'd like to know what everyone's thoughts are on the recent price increases on the clutches. Last year, you could buy with one part number, the entire clutch pack.. friction material, clutch basket, etc.. it only cost around $173 or so last year... THIS year you have to get all of the parts separately (many different part numbers), and the cost of all of this went up dramatically to about $235 or so (almost the cost of some of the clutches that we put into the full sized cars we work on here at my shop)... thats over a $60 increase on the clutch basket.... does that make sense to anyone else? Because it makes no sense to me. I can still buy the friction material for the same price as last year, so why did the cltuch basket price go up so much?

Granted, i have no idea what other clutches cost to replace, but i go through these things almost every third weekend because of the autocrossing. Obviously they must be raising prices because the series is getting bigger, and what better thing to raise the prices on than the clutches that they KNOW we need, and can't get elsewhere but them Rolling Eyes

.... I'm about through with this kart... i'd almost rather give my money to the local motorcycle dealership while running a moto engine than to go through this much longer.

Second issue... does anyone out there know of an aftermarket clutch, that can either be adapted to fit, or something that someone has made an adapter for? I'm looking for something that would not only be more durable for the autocrossing, but something that would allow me to change the stall speed on the clutch to a higher rpm launch. I don't want it to modify anything on the engine, because i still want to be able to switch back to the other clutch for the EasyKart events.

Thanks in advance!
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John W.
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John Ward · Posted: Thu May 06, 2004 9:27 am Post subject:

Also, if anyone has any ideas for prolonging the life of the clutch (other than letting off the gas, and not doing standing starts all the time.. LoL), i'd be more than happy to hear them Cool

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John W.
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Chuck McCue · Joined: 17 Jul 2001 Posts: 2944

John,
You can still buy the complete "Clutch Groupe" which consists of drum, sprocket, friction, washers and nut for $171.06 (list Price) from any IAME dealer . The improved friction hub is $107.53 seperatly.
On your second issue I'd consider the L&T 3 disc, 6 spring wet clutch with the IAME taper for your autocross needs. Very easy to switch back and forth for EK compliance.
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Chuck McCue

Harvey Williams · Joined: 07 Feb 2004 Posts: 14

Chuck,

Whats the improvement on the improved friction hub?
Can the improved friction hub be used in spec easykart events?
Is it worth the additional cost?
Is the friction hub the part with the friction material or is it the drum?

John Ward · Posted: Mon May 10, 2004 7:12 am Post subject:

Chuck, thank you VERY much for your reply. I will be contacting you shortly about that clutch option (odd though, considering the guys at Russel Karting had no clue about any aftermarket clutch option that would fit the motor). Also, i need to try to get a new suit as well, so i may as well contact you about that to (you sell sparco?)

The most dissapointing thing here though, is that i contacted an EasyKart approved retailer, and basically got lied to then, unless your price list isn't updated Chuck... is that the '04 price list on the clutches that youre looking at? I bought this stuff from www.TCRacingUSA.com .... They charged me $120 for the friction matierial only, and $230-something for the complete clutch package... if i find out that they lied to me, and are charging me over list on these items, Diego from TC, and the guys at EasyKart are going to hear it from me BIG time. Its completely unethical, and i won't sit here like a pawn and stand for it.
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John W.
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Chuck McCue · Joined: 17 Jul 2001 Posts: 2944

"Whats the improvement on the improved friction hub?"
The friction material

"Can the improved friction hub be used in spec easykart events?"
IAME & EASY are the same part #

"Is it worth the additional cost?"
No Additional Cost

"Is the friction hub the part with the friction material or is it the drum?"
The friction hub is the part with the friction material (green)

"the guys at Russel Karting had no clue about any aftermarket clutch option that would fit the motor"
An aftermarket clutch would not be legal in TaG or EASY. However any clutch with an IAME taper would be ok.

"is that the '04 price list on the clutches that youre looking at?"

Yes, the IAME current price list, Easy should be similar.
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Chuck McCue

Gary Osterholt · Site Admin Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 2771

Chuck McCue · Joined: 17 Jul 2001 Posts: 2944

You read my mind, Gary!!
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Chuck McCue