Considering performance clutch..., OEM or aftermarket? You decide! Options

[sdragon007]

Howdy,

I'm the proud owner of a 96' Celi GT hatchback. Just passed 80k on the mileage and it needs a new clutch. I'm considering whether to go with the stock OEM clutch kit or to swap to a stage I aftermarket clutch (Exedy, ACT, Clutchmaster).

Currently, I have only a CAI, but will install the following parts soon (next year or so):
Pacesetter Header
Magnaflow Hi-Flow Cat
Custom 2.5" piping
Bomz Teardrop Exhaust

Now, the real question is whether the extra cash for an aftermarket clutch is worth it. I've read from these forums that the OEM clutch should be sufficient.

I'm also thinking that the Stage I clutch may be longer lasting due to its increased strength. Perhaps the extra $100 might be justified by the extra mileage off the clutch?

Let me know what you fellow 6C'ers think.

Sincerely,
Ed

[Supersprynt]

no its not worth it. Get OEM.

[pimped6gen]

I have a centerforce dual friction clutch if u want it...u name the price! I bought for 250 so let me know what u think would be fair!

This post has been edited by pimped6gen: Jan 18, 2005 - 2:20 PM

[Dacoolguychris]

pretty weird i just posted the same topic a couple days ago.. anyways.. i think imma go with something just a little above stock.. but not much.. because i'm not gonna be putting a turbo.. or really racing it.. not worth it.. i could save the money and get myself a CAI.. and new indiglo gauges....

in otherwords.. if you're not gonna turbo it.. or add anything that'l really increase the engine power then it's not worth it..

oh yeah by the way.. The Game's new CD The Documentary is off the hook..
clutchmasters.com has a decent priced stock one.. as does ACT

-Chris

[sdragon007]

Pimped's offer sounds real good.

Anybody know anything about Centerforce Clutches?

Did a little research, sounds pretty good. Anybody own one?

-Ed

P.S. Does anybody know what the effect of putting a hi-performance clutch on a stock celi would be? Anything really bad?

This post has been edited by sdragon007: Jan 18, 2005 - 10:42 PM

[Fox-N-It2]

Pimped's offer sounds real good.

Anybody know anything about Centerforce Clutches?

Did a little research, sounds pretty good. Anybody own one?

-Ed

P.S. Does anybody know what the effect of putting a hi-performance clutch on a stock celi would be? Anything really bad?
[right][snapback]235406[/snapback][/right]

Depending on the puck and sprung or unsprung will determine on how harsh the engagement is. I vote stock unless under boost.

[Dacoolguychris]

i'm such a hipocrit (however you spell it).. I'm going to end up buying a ACT performance clutch got quoted @ 285 for clutch and 160 for labor... so like 450 for everything..

hopefully gonna get it done soon(by friday).. i really wanna drive my car again

-Chris

[KAMiX]

You can get maybe 25-50k more miles out of a good aftermarket clutch setup, depending on how you drive. I dunno if you're doing the swap yourself or how long you're keeping the car but considering the labour for clutch work it might be worth upgrading.

[pimped6gen]

hey sdragon007 ill give it to ya for 200-210, i dont see why it would be bad to have it on a non turbo car...i was gonna do it and i know people with it done and they love it...lemme know man!

[sdragon007]

Well Pimped,

I've got your money order and I'll be sending it to you shortly.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I'll keep you posted on how the install goes and feels. Maybe others out there can benefit from this thread.

-Ed

[Dacoolguychris]

i just got my ACT 6 pad clutch installed yesterday and man i love it... it sticks hard.. shift is quicker.. and well i just love it.. i'm glad i went performance clutch

-Chris

it took them a long as time to intall it though.. somethign about toyota and their reinforcement bars under the engine.. guess it was a b**ch to get the clutch out but my stock clutch was totally burnt out..

[sdragon007]

Hey Chris you're from Santa Ana?

I'm from Anaheim.

Small world. Go fig.

[sdragon007]

Well, I've got the clutch from Pimped with no problems. Install was done at a local shop for a couple hundred bucks. Total cost?

$430 ($230 Parts + $200 Labor)

Not too shabby.

Feel?

Honestly, scared the sh!t out of me the first time I tried to move.

My previous OEM clutch required ~4-5 inches of travel before any engagement was noticed. The Centerforce Dual-Friction clutch engaged within ~1-2 inches of travel. Pretty much jumped my car forward like a n00b. Then stalled.

Tried again. Gave a little more gas and worked the clutch a little softer. Clutch engaged HARD, peeled out without meaning to.

Now I'm thinking, "What the hell?!?!"

Less gas, let the clutch out even softer, managed to move forward slowly without peeling out or stalling. Woo hoo. I can actually drive this thing.

On the drive home (all of 8 miles), managed to stall or peel out on almost every single stop light. Go me!

After driving around for about a half hour, I got to the point where I can go from a full stop to moving without peeling out or stalling. Wow. I'm so skilled.

Overall, this clutch engages HARD. Way more over the OEM clutch. The dual-friction variety from Centerforce is rated for dedicated racing applications and is not recommended for street usage. I can see why. Clutch travel for engagement is around 2 inches and it engages very hard. Not enough gas and it will stall quickly. Too much gas and it will peel your wheels out. Very tough to get a fine balance to drive on street.

Do I like it? Hell yes. While it adds to the difficulty of daily driving, it isn't impossible to drive. Nor is the difficulty insurmountable. I look upon it as a chance to hone my driving skills and be more attentive to detail. The engagement is very solid with no slippage. For the price I paid, I'm very happy with the results. However, I do NOT recommend this for the daily driver. Nor do I recommend this for novice drivers. It requires conscious thought and a period of adjustment to get used to it. And it may scare the sh!t out of you.

That's all for now.

-Ed

P.S. Thanks Pimped! Great deal.

This post has been edited by sdragon007: Feb 13, 2005 - 3:58 PM

[liquor]

BTW guys - how do you tell a clutch is going out... I have my stock original clutch and 165k KMs (100k miles) and its still very smooth and nice. When i drag it grips well too so i guess im just lucky because first owner was a girl and she learned driving with a stick on that car.

[Dacoolguychris]

my clutch did that too.. but after a week it'll be more manageable.. it'll still burn out and stuff.. but it'll be easier to start.. and you won't get that jump.. it adjust but it'll still give you that racing feel.. but it'll never be the same as the stock was and you'll always feel more jump to your car in first and second gear..

you can tell when you clutch is going out when you shift gears and it take a while for the car to completely switch gears or you feel a slipping.. the rpm will go up but the car won't increase like it used to in speed.. depends on how hard you drive the car.. or miss fire shifting gears

overall i love my new clutch and the 450 i spent on it was well worth it..

-Chris

[94GT]

Mine went to 180k, and I taught a few people to drive on mine... One day I just noticed the rpm needle take off, and the speedometer wasn't moving, and then it caught on. I was wondering myself, but when it happened, I was like, "there it goes..."