i need to get a new clutch and need some input.i got a 96 gsr and got plans on building it. down the line im plannin on building up the head(new valves,springs,retainers,itr cams, port/polish),along with basic bolt ons.so what should i get?

 

What are you Hp goals? This will tell what set-up to go with. I am going to be using this site when I replace my clutch.
Blacktrax clutch breakdown

 

Go with a Clutchmasters stage 3.

 

Sounds like your going to want a stage 2. But as said before find out what kind of power your shooting for and go from there. I love my stage one Exedy, but I only have bolt ons so it works for me.

 

im lookin to hit the 200 to 250 whp range. no more then 250.many guys i talked to said just go with the stage 3 clutchmasters.good idea?

 

Don't pay attention to stages so much, becuase every company has different ones. You should more pay attention as to what you intend to do with the car, and your preferences. When getting a clutch kit there is more than just one part. And this is a good time to replace the flywheel also, if you can fit that into your budget. If you go over board on the clutch without building the rest of the car, you will do damage and be worse off, spending money on repairs rather than mods. When i was shoping for a clutch i thought ACT had a good break down to help someone shop, you can get different clutch disks and pressure plates for different applications. what do you want to do with the car, a stock clutch from a type r could hanlde your hp goals.

 

What is the time line you have? Need to find the brand you want, then look at what they are rated at. I have a stage 1 competion clutch six puck for the last year with minor bolt ons and it works great. I also picked up the fidanza 7.5lb flywheel. Love how it grabs. If it wont be at least a year and half till you get above 225hp then a stage 1 from most companies will be just fine. No reason to spend the extra cash on a clutch that is rated for 300-350hp and not have the power to put down on it. I think majority of the people dont understand the rating of clutchs.


If a clutch is rated for 300-350, that means if you have that kind of power then it will drive close to a stock feel. I have seen guys get a exedy twin plate and only have like 325hp, way over kill. The clutch with that little of power is like a light switch, it is either on or off. My buddy back in japan had a r32 with around 550hp and had a OS Giken twin plate and with taht kind of HP the clutch felt no different then my stock one in my toyota. Getting a clutch that is way over rated for the power you are putting down only makes you have to ride it that much more to get it go, which in turn wears it down faster then having one that matchs closely to your power and alot less riding to get it to go.

A stage 3 clutchmaster clutch for his car is rated for around 325hp. $545.00

A stage 1 from the same company is rated for around 275hp. $395.00


Basic math, a stage 3 is 110% over stock and a stage 1 is 70% over stock. The ratings very from company to company.

Also another thing you need to look into is rotaional mass. Clutchmasters stage 1 is a full face clutch and kinda thick so that meaens more weight.


A competion clutch stage 1 is a 6 puck, which is less material and also thinner. Looks like this:


Then there is sprung and unsprung clutches. Clutches start at around $350 upwards of $1700 depending on the brand and power it is rated at.


Modified by japanjay at 11:22 PM 8/28/2008

 

i just picked up my Competition Stage 4, which includes a performance pressure plate, and a 6 puck sprung disc and I think its a great clutch. For the power goals that you mentioned, it would probably be something to look into.

The pedal feel is a tad harder than stock, and when it grabs, it grabs. Hardly any clutch chatter and its got an amazing feel.

I have had friends who owned Exedys, Clutchmasters and ACT, and it seems like they dont really like them that much.

The exedy stage 1 is just like stock, not worth it IMO.
The exedy stage 2, which comes with a performance pressure plate and 3 puck disc, is just plain weird. The pedal pressure is like stock, but it engages really hard due to the 3 puck.
The Clutchmasters i heard is almost identical to the Competition.
The ACT is one of the clutches that id love to drive more...

My friend has an integra with a ACT heavy duty performance pressure plate, and a 6 puck sprung disc and it feels very good. You feel in tune with the car, but the pedal feel is stupid harsh, and the engagement of the clutch is ridiculous. These should only be used for higher horsepower applications...

Competition stage 4 Model 1620 is your best bet. They can handle up to 450hp and is IMO the best suited for an all around street car.


Modified by JdmTypeRdc2 at 5:47 AM 8/29/2008

 

it all depends on your torque. Dont buy a clutch that has anything about horsepower ratings in it, you will waste your money on a clucth that might last a season. Real clutch kits go off of torque ratings.

From my personal experience dont buy act or clutchmasters they both suck floppy donkey dongs if you ask me. Id go with the comp clutch. I have the comp stage 5 rigid 4 puck in my turbo teg and i LOVE IT. If you can dont buy a sprung clutch, they say unsprung has more chatter to it but i havent had that issue yet. My comp 4 puck unsprung is nicer then my buddies comp 6 puck sprung. MAKE SURE YOUR FLYWHEEL IS CLEAN AND YOU USE WHITE LITHIUM GREASE ON THE SHIFTER FORK PIVOT POINT AND SPLINES. Also buy some brake fluid, and run 3 reservoir's of fluid threw the slave, get all the old nasty foamy fluid out of there or you will feel like your pedal is on the ground.

 

Exedy stage 1, hear nothing but good about those. Good for 200 ft/lbs torque.

 

ditto, the exedy stage 1 uses an upgraded pressure plate. and is one kick azz clutch for a DD. as long as you don't have a turbo on the car & drag radials you should be good. organic clutches for the most part hate drag slicks.

 

for the clutchmasters fx100 it said it is only for motors with basic bolt ones.so if i plann on building my head wouldnt i want to go wit the fx300?and yeah im goin to probably replace my flywheel too.any suggestions?

 

i have the fidanza 3.2 clutch with their 7.5 flywheel and i absolutely love it....i've always used clutch masters, but money was tight so i tried fidanza....no more clutchmasters for me... and they're cheaper then clutch masters

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JdmTypeRdc2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I have had friends who owned Exedys, Clutchmasters and ACT, and it seems like they dont really like them that much.

The exedy stage 1 is just like stock, not worth it IMO.
The exedy stage 2, which comes with a performance pressure plate and 3 puck disc, is just plain weird. The pedal pressure is like stock, but it engages really hard due to the 3 puck.

Modified by JdmTypeRdc2 at 5:47 AM 8/29/2008</TD></TR></TABLE>


Let me tell you first hand the Exedy 3-pad ceremetallic clutch disc isn't nearly as bad as you would think. However, I still would not use it in a daily driven car. it is loud with chatter and in city traffic would take its toll on your left leg.

In my opinion unless you are going to build your car in the next month there is no reason to get anything beyond the Exedy stage I. If you don't build the car soon then you are doing nothing more than putting a heavy clutch in your car for no purpose. And I'd be willing to bet the Exedy will hold more power than you think. It isn't going to be an easy road getting 200-250whp out of your B18C1.

 

http://www.clutchnet.com their clutches are pretty bad ***. ive had a stage 3 clutch, pressure plate and flywheel from them for 3 yrs now and still grabs like new. i drive my car every other day so i guess that counts as a daily driver sorta, lol.... but yeah the clutch feels great still. for clutchnet!

 

I also swear by clutchnet.net I had the 4 puck unsprung clutch in my car and loved it! Used it daily and it wasn't that unconfortable to drive. I bought the car used with that clutch already there, used it for 14 months of daily driving - occasional road + Drag racing, and I'm gonna change it now and am probably gonna buy the same exact one

 

I had a clutchnet in my built gsr swapped hatch.. the pressure plate broke..

I've used ACT -XTSS clutch kits.. & ACT-HDSS.. both were great clutches..

I do not recommend using f1 or ebay clutch kits.. I tried two kits.. throwout bearing both went bad... clutches chatered.. weak clutch pedal.. do not cheap out and get these kit's.. it's not worth it..

Stick with the reputable companies such as.. exedy, act, competition, etc..

My next setup will probally be ACT with oem honda throw out bearing.. turbo'd b20

 

I recommend the Action Clutch 1MS or 1MD (unsprung) six puck clutch kit. Great clutch for the price and will be more than adequate for your setup. Action Clutch also makes a 11lbs lightweight street/strip flywheel or 8lbs race flywheel. Good luck.

For picture reference:

Action Clutch 1MD B-series Hydro Clutch Kit (unsprung disc)


Action Clutch 1MS B-series Hydro Clutch Kit (sprung disc)


Action Clutch 11lbs Street/Strip Flywheel