Test and reviews JVD clutch system

An other clutch on the market?

Yes. And it is a NO WORRY clutch.

The JVD clutch system is a 4 shoe style clutch that is working with regular small scissor springs.
What does it sets apart from all other clutches, is the assembly and disassembly of the springs using an inner crown part that is locking and putting tension on the springs.

There are adjustable clutches on the market but for some reason for new bies who are looking more for standard setups these clutches are to difficult to handle.
The owner of JVD "Jan van Dijk" is running model cars for 3 years now and started like every one mostly does with a car that is no a race ready version.
One of the things that Jan was looking for to change first was the clutch.
After some test models and 1 year of hardcore testing on several track and surfaces the current design was released.

Jan asked us to test the clutch system and give our honest opinion (we always do Jan!)

All parts are separate available online or in the model shops worldwide.
As some cars have different size of flywheels the clutch is there in a 32 and 34 mm version.
We will test the 34 mm version in some Hong Nor cars.

It is a mix and match clutch system.
What does that mean?

With three shoe clutch system using different springs combinations like 2 x 1.0 and 1 x 1.1 mm this will give and unbalanced pressure on the clutch bell bearings.
If you use 2 x 2 paired spring tension combinations for example 2 x 1.0 and 2 x 1.1 mm on the JVD clutch system, the clutch bell bearings will last longer.
With all springs to be used there are enough combinations that can be made to suit your engine and your driving style.

The JVD clutch system is designed for any clutch bell with an inside diameter between 26mm and 26.8 mm and a minimum internal length of 10mm.

With the clutch factory assembled and ready to use with four 1.0 mm springs this is what you also get.

4 springs in 0.9 mm green colored
4 springs in 1.0 mm gold colored (standard mounted)
4 springs in 1.1 mm silver colored
1 clutch nut
1 cone (use this one as it is adapted to the flywheel)
2 shim washers 8 x 12 x 1 mm

There are only aluminum clutch shoes available. With the number of choices of springs even nylon clutch shoe feeling can be achieved.

Due to the success of the JVD clutch system the clutch is now also and OEM product and is distributed by ASCENDANCY RACING in the USA under their own brand name. However the aluminum parts are black anodized.

The packages!

	The three packages we received with their part numbers and prices in Euro
	All the parts that makes the JVD clutch system. It comes factory assembled with 1.0 mm springs.

How to fit the JVD clutch system.

	Depending on the length of the crankshaft and the clutch bell length you can add none, one or two shims before the brass cone is placed.
	Only use the brass cone that comes with the clutch system and slide it on the shaft fully making sure the crankshaft is pulled out of the engine and the come presses against the engine front bearing (shim washer).
	Place the factory assembled clutch system on the crankshaft.
	Place the flywheel nut on the crankshaft by hand force. You best add a drop of thread lock for security so it does not unlock.
	Although the JVD clutch system tool is multi purpose and it can turn the flywheel nut on the crankshaft we advise you to use a tool that can load more pressure on the flywheel nut for the final torque.
	Add if needed one 5 x 8 x 0,2 mm shim washer (not included) and then the first clutch bell bearing.
	Put a bearing in the clutch bell and slide the clutch bell on the first placed bearing.
	Depending on the space left at the end of the crank shaft add one or more 5 x 9 mm shims.
	Then put a 3 x8 x 1 mm washer (not included) and a 3 mm spring washer on the screw (not included) and secure them with an  good sized 2.5 mm hexagon tool.
	The clutch system ready to be used.
	Make sure the clutch bell can move in the direction of the arrow around 0.5 to 1 mm. Assembling a clutch bell without any play will cause the clutch to bind up when it is getting used and warm.

Dis and reassembling the JVD clutch system.

	Remove the clutch bearings and washer and finally the flywheel nut. Take a small tip flat screw driver and lift the red crown plate little by little upwards going around all 4 pins one by one.
	Once the crown is lifted upwards enough the tension from the springs will be gone and the crown can be taken off.
	Replace the shoes, springs or a combination of both.
	After all 4 shoes and springs are installed fit the red crown.
	The 4 holes of the red crown cant never be put over the 4 pins directly or turned clockwise when pressed downwards.. It always have to be turned 90 degrees (1/4 turn) anti clock wise (green arrow) until the 4 holes of the crown align again above the 4 pins.
	Align the tips of the springs with the holes in the bottom part of the crown and then push and turn with the JVD clutch system tool so the springs are tensioned automatically. Turning the crown 90 degrees (1/4 turn) is a breeze with the JVD clutch tool. Using pliers or other tools might destroy the nice red anodizing and reduce your red bling effect.
	When the red crown is aligned place the flywheel nut and tight it with an 8 mm tool or use initially the JVD clutch system tool. The  crown then automatically will be pressed over the four pins. Do not forget to use some mild thread lock fluid on the flywheel nut.
	Although the JVD clutch system tool is multi purpose and it can turn the flywheel nut on the crankshaft we advise you to use a tool that can load more pressure on the flywheel nut for the final torque. Clutch ready to accept the washers, bearings and clutch bell as described above.

Maintenance, set up and tips

Notice the factory supplied chamfered edges on the shoes. This allows you to run the clutch to this point without maintenance. But regularly check for the wear of the shoes.

Verdict

	An easy to assemble clutch with loads of variable settings available by using springs and combination of them all. It combines lower clutch shoe wear with longer lasting clutch bell bearings. And most of all easy to assemble and dis-assemble. A product that could be in your car soon regardless it is buggy or truggy.
Comment by JVD

Performance

08-10-2009

We have put he JVD clutch system in our Hong Nor X2 CRT PRO truggy on a GO GX5 engine.
The clutch was mounted with the standard factory equipped 4 x 1.0 mm springs.
As the engine needed to be broken in we yet could not feel the real performance of the clutch.
But it worked flawless during the break in of 1 liter.

08-11-2009
Before we ran the first race after break in with the clutch we removed the clutch bell and checked the clutch shoes.
Initially we mounted the clutch with an used Hong Nor clutch bell that was already used for some liters with Hong Nor aluminum shoes.
We found that the JVD shoes were not wearing as they should smooth but had a small groove in the middle from the Hong Nor shoes.
So for the first race we mounted a brand new Hong Nor clutch bell with the already used shoes.

I mentioned this to the designer Jan van Dijk.
He mentioned to make sure the inner surface of the clutch bell is a smooth as can be, so the shoes will last as long as possible.
Clutch bells with rough inner surface caused by the machining are in the works for a sanding job with a high speed tool and sanding drum.

We still run the 4 x 1.0 mm springs and are happy with it.

Jan van Dijk also mentioned that his springs are rated only for difference of 3% in strength per type of thickness.
Normally coloring the springs alters the hardness of the material but with the JVD clutch this has been compensated.
When we asked which aluminum he used for the shoes he smiled and walked away.
Oohps we asked for the secret of the clutch.

So what about the wear after 3 liters of fuel?
The picture shows what it is like and determine for yourself if it is OK! :-)

More to come soon.

Paco Raap


 

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