i purchased a Duralast Clutch from auto zone it is less than a month old installed and i've notice that i lost alot of torque. Is that possible that a cheap clutch will lack performance? what is a good clutch? and not one of those 3 puck tripple action clutch like whats a good clutch that will delivery the amount of HP converted in to torque.

 

This is the second comment involving Duralast Clutches I've seen today. If this is any indication, It's not a good sign.
There are differences between High Performance, Standard (production) and Cheap Replacement Clutch sets.
It can involve:
Clutch Disc design - full circumference / Puck Style
Clutch Disc Material - Asbestos, Ceramic, Semi-Metallic (sound familiar?)
Pressure Plate Design - Belville Spring or three lever style
Pressure Plate Design - Heavy gauge springs - standard duty springs

Manufacturing Tolerances - ISO9002? consistency of process, quality control
Material Control - Inconsistent heat-treating (spring)

It sounds like either the Duralast sets have a sub-par Clutch Disc Material for anything other that Granny Grocery Getter's, or the Pressure Plate Spring has lost some of it's temper.

P

 

Damnit and i dont know how to change my own clutch and my parents would kill me if i took it to get the clutch replaced. i got the Helms manual and it explains how to do it but i dont think i got the proper tools to do it, can i just change the disc or would i need a new pressure plate and throw out bearing? when i bought it it came as a kit so maybe i can use the other parts or should i just continue to just drive it and call it a day?. Also could this explain why when i have like 3k in RPMs and i switch to like 3rd (only) it grinds as i put it in? and to avoid that i would have to let the rpms drop for like 1k and then put it in.

And Also this is off the topic and probably doesnt belong in Honda Tech. But are the WRX STI engines or better say the Subaru engines as reliable as hondas?

My Dream Car... http://www.oakos.com/wrx/gallery/03NAIAS/

Also what engines are reliable?
Toyota
Nissan? ( 350z Nismo<3)
?
?
HONDA
?

 

The gear clash you experience when you shi(f)t is another indication of a clutch issue.
It can be caused by two problems;
1) Air (low fluid) in the hydraulic clutch release mechanism or as I believe in your case:
2) The Pressure plate is not allowing full release: it's dragging along the clutch disc and passing on power to the Transmission still.

P

 

PM sent. P_adams

 

As far as reliability goes...

Subaru: Their motors can and will take a lot of boost. With the early WRX's the trannys went. People would completely destroy them but thats b/c they werent built to support the power/abuse people were throwing at it. Subaru wised up and the trannies are pretty well built now and the STI tranny is damn great IMO.

Toyota: Pretty damn relaible, but they serioulsy lack performance. The suspension setups are too soft and while I dont like that, it suits the millions of older people that buy and enjoy it. Also they distinction between Lexus and Toyota has deminished greatly. While they may offer similar vehicles between the lineups, now they look TOO similar. There just isnt enough of a difference to make the price increase on a lexus worth the money. Im a fan of the SC300/400 and the IS300, but since those are both gone, and the IS has changed(for the worse if you ask me) I just have no interest in anything they have to offer. And lastly, Scion. I only like the Tc, but I would probably buy a Civic Si before I purchased one of those.

Honda: Well just search noob! lol j/k Seriously though, there's a reason why there's a bajillion of them on the roads. And it aint b/c they break all the time.

Nissan: If you really want to talk Nissan then you can PM me, hit me up on AIM s/n Blackout651, or just send an email to roxiebaby119@msn.com. Its my mothers email but thats where I get all of my emails now and she no longer uses it. I have a butt load of stuff to say when it comes to Nissans since they're my favorite manufacturer out of the bunch.

Mitsubishi: While the Evo is the sex on wheels, the rest of their lineup sucks. Nuff said.

Mazda: Nothing much to say. I like the new Miata and the Mazda 6 though. I havent had enough experience with the mazda lineup, but I think rotaries are hot! My friend used to have a 93 FD and a now he has an 89 FC that makes 287 to the wheels at only 7psi. Cant wait till he gets a boost controller. Another friend has, well had a stock RX8 and its pretty damn smooth at high speeds(120 feels like 70). However they arent the most reliable and suck on gas. But they make great weekend/project cars if you can afford them.

 

exedy organic clutch can be had for decent prices and have the stock pedal feel but has a 36% torque capacity increase.

im personally running an exedy 3puck cerametallic clutch and its alittle stiffer than stock, a litter chattery initially but suits my needs as im will be putting on a turbo shortly.

 

If its less than a month old, why not take it back up to AutoBone under warranty.

This could present a couple options... one try another Duralast, since it could be just a sub par unit that made it through their "quality control" (or lack of it). Or two tell them your already out the labor to install it (and now remove it), your basically not pleased (but dont be a dick cause that wont help, more likely the reverse) and have them damage it out... thus getting you your money back.

Despite what the typical red shirts up there may try tell you, they can deal with a damaged return and it is not your fault the clutch is not holding up (of course unless you did not break it in or slipped it riding the pedal). Basic idea, it is a sub par product and not equal to the oe unit it is said to match. If they give you the run around with some crap like it was install error/ etc., talk to a gray shirt (managers) and tell them it was installed correctly (if need be you may need to BS a little and say a cert. mech. friend did it or whatnot).

Just be sure to calmy explain the situation and how you are dis-satified with the product and dont want to risk trying another... be as pleasant as possible (it will go along way and they usually will treat you accordingly).

 

Hmm well thanks for the advice everyone i will take it into consideration, and hopfully i can get some of my money back from autozone, its just a killer. All the autozone managers a fcking dicks regardless of how you treat them but ill give it a shot. a lesson well learnd here "you get what you pay for" SOB!