What is Tilton Engineering?

Tilton Engineering was founded in 1972 by McLane (Mac) and Adelle Tilton in El Segundo, California. Tilton’s mission was and still remains to offer innovative, high-quality racing parts at affordable prices. It is for those reasons that Tilton has garnered a reputation as a leader in the design and manufacturing of driveline components, brake controls, and starters for high-performance and racing applications. The company seeks to advance its reputation as a technological frontrunner through constant innovation, refinement, and customer interaction.

Mac Tilton utilized his extensive racing and machining background to develop groundbreaking products. His experience includes being Crew Chief for the 1971 and 1972 Trans Am championship-winning Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) team. Adelle Tilton’s exceptional business sense helped ensure the long-term future of Tilton Engineering. As the company’s name became more widespread, the demand for its products increased as well. In 1979, Tilton relocated to a larger facility in Buellton, California where it remains today. In fact, 90 percent of Tilton’s machined components are manufactured at the Buellton workshop using top-level equipment, including a Toyoda Horizontal Milling Center (HMC) and Mori Seike lathes. When the machining process is complete, products are quality checked using Browne and Sharpe Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM) and tested using proprietary equipment. 

Tilton Engineering’s Innovative Products

Today, Tilton Engineering products can be found in almost every type of auto racing, including NASCAR, ALMS, SCORE, NHRA, IRL, and more! Tilton offers a wide array of driveline and brake parts, in-cockpit controls, and starter motors. Its lineup of driveline components includes flywheels, bellhousings, clutches, and hydraulic release bearings. Brake components and in-cockpit controls include master cylinders, balance bars, pedal assemblies, proportioning valves, and other accessories.

Tilton Engineering introduced its Super Starters in 1981 as the first high-torque mini-starter for racing applications. The Tilton Super Starter has become the benchmark for starters used in high-performance and racing applications all around the world, and earned a reputation for delivering the most dependable performance under extreme conditions.

Of the abundant innovations Tilton Engineering has brought to the automotive world, the most recognized one is its carbon racing clutch. Tilton’s carbon clutch was the first one to be used in F1, winning its first race at the 1987 Detroit Grand Prix in Aryton Senna's Lotus-Honda. The exclusive technology developed by Tilton Engineering can be found in most carbon/carbon racing clutches today. In fact, Tilton Engineering was awarded a U.S. Patent and the Louis Schwitzer Award for technology. 

Find Tilton Engineering at Vivid Racing

Vivid Racing carries Tilton Engineering’s two-disc and three-disc clutch kids for various makes and models. If you have any questions about the products listed above or regarding fitment, do not hesitate to call our expert sales team at (480) 966-3040. We will help you find the right clutch kit for your particular vehicle application.