help me to pick a proper clutch Options

[gotian]

Im going to be doing either rebuilding the transmission or replacing it entirely with another one. Here are some specs for my car right now: 94 GT Manual. So When I do the transmission job i am going to replace the clutch (might as well) So I need to figure out which would be the best one for the application I will be doing. As you already know I am planning on doing a 3sgte swap in the near future, fixing or replacing the tranny is so that way I can drive it around right now (it is drivable just doesnt have 5th gear) I also plan on autocrossing the car once its done and ready to go. So I want to get a decent clutch kit either a stage 1 or stage 2, but I want to know if anyone has any experience with certain types of clutches. thanks in advance.

[trdproven]

do you like the stock feel or the agressive feel, like stiff on pedal?

[Jaytwou2]

I've heard good things on South Bend Clutches... I will be trying them out with my 5s soon

[gotian]

i like having a stiff on pedal clutch, i was thinking about going with a stage 2 clutch but i dont know what brand as ive never had different brand experiences with the celica.

[Tigawoods]

Spec or Clutch Masters.

I have a spec stage 2

[Smaay]

once again get off the stage bandwagon. no two companies have the same ratings for stages. i hate that term.

having owned several cars i can tell you that you dont need a heavy clutch. just get one that holds the torque you plan on making. if this is a daily driver then i HIGHLY suggest the Southbend TX clutch. i have a southbend in every one of my cars and i love them. the TX feels like stock or maybe a tad lighter but the clamping force is more than stock. its all in the design of the fingers on the pressure plate.

[gotian]

I only say stage because thats how everyone refers it to. having a stiffer clutch pedal is a personal preference for me as my rx7 and rx8 both had stiffer clutches and i am used to it. I do want a clutch that I know will hold more power when I start my upgrading so I dont have to worry about it. my main concern is getting personal experience from different people on different brands because i know that not everybrand is the same


On a side note, I like southbends website and how they state how much torque their clutches will hold, very informative

This post has been edited by gotian: Aug 5, 2012 - 11:24 PM

[trdproven]

once again get off the stage bandwagon. no two companies have the same ratings for stages. i hate that term.

having owned several cars i can tell you that you dont need a heavy clutch. just get one that holds the torque you plan on making. if this is a daily driver then i HIGHLY suggest the Southbend TX clutch. i have a southbend in every one of my cars and i love them. the TX feels like stock or maybe a tad lighter but the clamping force is more than stock. its all in the design of the fingers on the pressure plate.

yea, thats true the stage term is not consistent between different brands and material. like smaay mentioned you don't need a stage 3 or whatever, just get teh right clutch for what power you envision,. i have Competion Clutch, its stage 1 feels more aggressive than other stages equal or higher which proves the stage thing we mentioned,

This post has been edited by trdproven: Aug 5, 2012 - 11:39 PM

[gotian]

spec "stage 3" seems to be a nice bang for the buck as far as torque capacity and pricing goes. any reviews on it from the locals?

[delusionz]

Why does everyone go on about "pedal stiffness" ??? I've had stock 3sgte clutch, exeedy HD pressure plate/full face organic disc kit and the clutchmasters fx400 2100lb kit with 4 puk ceramic disc, theres no difference in pedal feel ??

3 different clutches with a wide range of clamping forces, none felt any stiffer in the pedal, just more bite/less slip

[trdproven]

cus I've tried different brands as well, like smaay said not sure if you really notice the difference but between stages, there are differences that are inconsistent. My Competition clutch stage 1 is super stiff, i've tried a Zoom clutch stage 2 that felt like stock but i think my stage 1 has better bite. again the pressure plate that comes with the clutch may matter too. but nonetheless there is a difference that you have yet to notice. maybe you just can't tell anymore, try a stock clutch again.

This post has been edited by trdproven: Aug 6, 2012 - 4:59 AM

[gotian]

I don't want a stock clutch since I'm planning on more torque. On a side note my starter died today, the gear just spins freely in both directions

[trdproven]

what hp numbers do you plan on, thats how you would pick your clutch, then its up to you if you want puck/round, brand, and whatever stage is for that brand.

[delusionz]

yeah but the way people try to describe it (atleast those i've met in person) they tell the story as though it feels like trying to press the brake pedal with the engine switched off, as though its a gym workout for your left leg when it really isn't -- otherwise i'd be walking funny, yeah??

the exeedy kit is 20% increase from stock and the clutchmasters fx400 kit is 170% increase in clamping force, with numbers like that you'd expect a _very_ noticable difference but to me its very subtle if at all.

on a side note - i _dont_ have braided clutch lines, so my pedal isnt as stiff as it could be

[richee3]

I'm just curious, if you're planning on doing a swap soon, why are you wanting to buy a more expensive clutch? I skimmed all the posts pretty quickly and didn't see the answer.

Edit: I'm not trying to sound like a jerk. I'm really not. I'm sure the answer is posted in here somewhere and I simply missed it.

This post has been edited by richee3: Aug 7, 2012 - 9:58 PM

[lagos]

I don't want a stock clutch since I'm planning on more torque. On a side note my starter died today, the gear just spins freely in both directions

You do realize that the 5sfe clutch kit wont work on the 3sgte you plan to swap, right?

[njccmd2002]

the clutch adds hp?? i did not know that.