Hays

Hays: A Legacy Built on Grip and Power

Few names in the performance aftermarket carry as much history as Hays. Founded in 1958 by SEMA Hall of Famer Bill Hays, the brand was born out of a simple but demanding challenge: build a clutch that could survive the savage power and torque of drag racing. That mission resonated immediately. Legends like "Big Daddy" Don Garlits and Tom "the Mongoose" McEwen trusted Hays for their clutches, cementing the brand's reputation at the highest levels of motorsport.

Today, Hays is part of the Holley Performance family of brands and continues to expand its lineup across all forms of driveline components — covering both automatic and manual transmission applications. Whether you're building a weekend street machine, a dedicated strip car, or a diesel tow rig that needs to handle serious loads, Hays engineers products to meet those demands with precision and durability.

Drivetrain Components Engineered for Performance

Hays offers one of the most comprehensive selections of high-performance drivetrain hardware available in the aftermarket. Their clutch kits are among the most recognized in the industry, delivering smooth engagement on the street and reliable, repeatable power transfer at the track. Each kit is engineered with carefully matched components — pressure plate, clutch disc, and hardware — to eliminate the guesswork from a clutch upgrade.

For automatic transmission builds, Hays produces two critical components that are often overlooked until something fails. Their automatic transmission torque converters — including the well-regarded Twister 3/4 Race series — are designed to optimize stall speed and power transfer for a range of GM, Ford, and Mopar applications. Pairing a performance converter with a properly rated automatic transmission flexplate is essential in high-horsepower builds, and Hays SFI-certified steel flexplates are built to handle the stress that cracks or shatters stock units in demanding applications.

Hays also covers the manual transmission side of the equation with a complete range of supporting components. Their clutch release bearing and slave cylinder assemblies keep engagement crisp and consistent, while the clutch fork offerings round out a full system approach to manual drivetrain upgrades.

From the Drag Strip to the Daily Driver

What distinguishes Hays from generic replacement parts is the racing DNA embedded in every product. The brand's roots in drag racing mean even street-oriented components are overbuilt for confidence. Hays products are engineered for Chevrolet, Ford, and Dodge platforms — from classic muscle car applications to modern LS-swapped builds and diesel trucks. With SFI certifications on key components and a wide range of application-specific fitments, Hays makes it straightforward to upgrade your drivetrain without sacrificing reliability.