| In drag racing, the clutch acts as the traction control device for the car. The clutch system applies stored energy to the rear wheels during the launch. To obtain optimum clutch performance, you must have enough flywheel inertia to get the car moving and enough clutch clamping pressure to accelerate the vehicle without spinning the tires. To achieve consistency, the clutch pressure must remain constant over time, allowing the car to perform to maximum potential. The RAM VDS (Variable Diaphram Clutch Systems) system is the only diaphragm clutch that allows you to set up and maintain the clutch pressure.
VDS clutch systems come from the factory with either steel or aluminum flywheels, and include the RAM 300 series organic disc. 300 series discs feature our eight spring hub with urethane encapsulated springs, and steel backed organic facings. The VDS system can be upgraded with either the 900 series sintered iron or 6000 series bronze metallic discs through your RAM dealer.
There are several key features of the RAM VDS clutch system. The clutch is set up with maximum clamp pressure from the factory. Stock and aftermarket pressure plates are set up so that the maximum plate load occurs after the clutch begins to wear. RAM VDS is designed so that the clutch pressure can be restored as the clutch disc wears; oem and other aftermarket units lose pressure as wear occurs. The VDS clutch pressure can also be reduced if the application dictates less pressure is necessary to control tire spin at launch.
The VDS clutch system is designed to be user serviceable in the field. Both the pressure plate and the steel insert on aluminum flywheels are replaceable. Combining this with a new RAM clutch disc makes rebuilding your clutch a snap!
All RAM VDS clutches are SFI certified for competition in vehicles running 11.99 or quicker in the quarter mile. Because the VDS system is designed for racing use, it is sold without warranty.
The 300 series organic disc is the most streetable for lower HP applications where drivability is the primary concern, and still offering a smooth engagement with increased holding power for applications up to around 400 horsepower, higher on street tires only. The 980 series disc is good up to 550HP. The 900 series sintered iron disc has proven most durable in severe drag race conditions with nitrous up to 700HP, while retaining good driveability on the street.
LS1 systems REQUIRE the use of an adjustable master cylinder assembly. Also required is the feed line drill modification to increase the diameter of the restriction to 0.125".
Please make your selection below using the drop-down menu. Your choices are as follows:
4022550T - VDS System w/300 series disc, pressure plate, aluminum flywheel
4022550N - VDS System w/900 series disc, pressure plate, aluminum flywheel
4022550X - VDS System w/980 series disc, pressure plate, aluminum flywheel | 
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