Kolenes?

[JDSfastGN]

I've searched and followed some of the threads on Kolene steels in the direct drum but still am not convinced. Two very well respected tranny builders on the board with complete 180 ideas on them. Has anybody actually gone from regular to kolene or kolene to regulars and seen a difference? Just curious if either has a better feel or grabbing power or if its not even worth it. Also are Kolenese available in stock sizes so you can get the directs at .040? I'll probably just use regular steels again but just wanted to hear some more opinions

 

[Otto J]

I use kolenes with red clutches in the direct and have had great luck,I was told not to use kolenes with blue plate though

 

[JDSfastGN]

Originally posted by KLHAMMETT
I use kolenes with red clutches in the direct and have had great luck,I was told not to use kolenes with blue plate though

Do you use the stock number of clutches in the directs?

 

[Otto J]

yes 6,I dont like to put more in,Using thinner steels isnt a real good idea as they tranmit hte heat away from the clutch and the thinner steels cannot do that as well

 

[JDSfastGN]

Originally posted by KLHAMMETT
yes 6,I dont like to put more in,Using thinner steels isnt a real good idea as they tranmit hte heat away from the clutch and the thinner steels cannot do that as well

Thats what ive always heard and ive always run 6 as well but i seem to get differing opinions from every tranny builder, Bruce and Chris both say 6 now but one doesn't like kolenes and the other does, and I've talked to Mike Kurtz locally and he says he uses kolenes anytime he can, but he shoves and extra clutch in there with the thinner steels and different backing plate. I saw dynotech used kolenes in there tranny rebuild in GMHTP as well but i don't remember clutches. thanks for the info Otto i think if they last and have good grabbing power in your car they should be just fine in mine. I dual fed the directs and that made all the difference in keeping them alive, but im always looking for that little more grab

 

[Otto J]

I no linger run the 2004r, But i have been building them for local guys running in the mid to low 10s for almost 2 years,all dual fed and no sign if trouble at this time,Dual feeding i a must along with proper clearance for both band and direct clutch

 

[JDSfastGN]

Originally posted by KLHAMMETT
I no linger run the 2004r, But i have been building them for local guys running in the mid to low 10s for almost 2 years,all dual fed and no sign if trouble at this time,Dual feeding i a must along with proper clearance for both band and direct clutch

ah ok, after thinkin about it for a minute i probably should have known that you weren't running one anymore. thanks for the info though

 

[Otto J]

I just went to a 400,With the motor i built,I am running close to 7000 rpm and the new motor should be higher,Plus i didnt find the need to find the next week spot after using all the billetstuff.
Something was bound to break.

 

[Lee Thompson]

kolenes

Kolenes are available in .055--.077-.088. Or close to those #. I believe they handle heat better (Do not hot spot as easily) Using .077 and an aluminum apply ring instead of the thin steel one,( The aluminum one sit a little deeper in the drum and has an apply area the same width as a friction, allowing for more room for another friction) you can get 7 pretty easy.

 

[JDSfastGN]

Re: kolenes

Originally posted by Lee Thompson
Kolenes are available in .055--.077-.088. Or close to those #. I believe they handle heat better (Do not hot spot as easily) Using .077 and an aluminum apply ring instead of the thin steel one,( The aluminum one sit a little deeper in the drum and has an apply area the same width as a friction, allowing for more room for another friction) you can get 7 pretty easy.

Hmm so if i want to run the bigger ones and the stock number of 6 alto clutches would i be able to get the correct clearance? I was also told to get them as tight as .032 on kolenes as the very top film will come off while breaking in and may cause too much clearance. i'd like to stick with 6 but wouldn't mind tryin the kolenes as my stock steels seem to hot spot easy. Do yall prep the Kolenese or do anything special before the install? I read that some swear by scotchbriting them and this helps as well. thanks for the replies guys and any other ideas or opinions are welcome, i like to hear them all

 

[Lee Thompson]

JD

Probably 1 in 1000 chances of stacking all thick steels in and coming up with the desired exact clearance. That is why you will need an assortment of different thickness. No preping other than appling some trans fluid. I believe scuffing is old school. Smooth is in!! Just read an article on that by Raybestos claiming sanding makes for ridges which not only wears frictions but gives less apply area. A definate NO!!!