The RST is the street twin: 800 hp on organic discs with a soft pedal. The RXT steps up to ceramic friction and 1000 hp for street/strip use, and the RXT 1200 holds 1200 hp with a moderate pedal. All three are twin-disc and all three are street-drivable — the ladder is holding power and how abruptly the clutch takes up, not street versus non-street.
| Model | Rated to | Discs | Pedal | Intended use | At HRC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RST | 800 hp | Organic | Soft | High-horsepower street | 118 kits, from $925 |
| RXT | 1000 hp | Ceramic | Soft | High-horsepower street/strip | 75 kits, from $1,050 |
| RXT 1200 | 1200 hp | Ceramic | Moderate | Street/strip, serious horsepower | 37 kits, from $1,295 |
Choose the RST if the car is driven on the road
Organic friction material engages more progressively than ceramic and is more forgiving in traffic, which is why McLeod positions it as the street twin. At 800 hp it covers most built street cars, and it is the least expensive of the three.
Choose the RXT if the car sees the strip as well as the road
Ceramic friction holds more torque for a given clamp load and tolerates heat better, which is what buys the extra 200 hp of capacity. McLeod still rates the pedal effort as soft, so the trade is in how sharply the clutch takes up rather than in how heavy it is to drive.
Choose the RXT 1200 if the number is genuinely over 1000
Same ceramic discs, more capacity, and McLeod rates the pedal moderate rather than soft. Worth it when the engine actually makes the power — a clutch rated far beyond the engine does not drive better, it just engages harder.
Common questions
What is the difference between a McLeod RST and RXT clutch?
Holding power and friction material. The RST is rated to 800 hp on organic discs; the RXT is rated to 1000 hp on ceramic discs. Both are twin-disc kits and McLeod rates both as having a soft pedal.
Is the McLeod RXT street-able?
Yes. McLeod describes the RXT as intended for the high-horsepower street/strip driver and states it remains street-drivable. The ceramic discs engage more sharply than the RST's organic discs, which is the practical difference on the road.
How much horsepower does a McLeod RXT 1200 hold?
1200 hp, per McLeod's rating. It uses the same ceramic friction material as the RXT, with a moderate rather than soft pedal effort.
Should I buy a clutch rated well above my engine's power?
Not usually. Capacity beyond what the engine makes does not improve how the clutch drives — a higher-rated twin generally engages more abruptly. Match the rating to the power the engine actually produces, with headroom for planned changes.
What is the difference between organic and ceramic clutch discs?
Organic friction material engages progressively and is more forgiving in stop-start driving. Ceramic holds more torque for the same clamp load and copes better with heat, at the cost of a sharper take-up. That difference is what separates the RST from the RXT.
Does HRC install clutches?
Yes. Installation is done in-house at HRC in Huntington Beach by appointment. HRC does not tune and has no dyno; that work is handled by a partner shop.