\\\EDIT

Called Action and they are going to take a look at it! Great service so far!

Tranny is a "brand new" (just put 10k miles on it after buying from Honda) ITR w/ Gear-X 4.9FD. One track day (Expo). The fix here is probably to buy an unsprung disc.

First, a prologue:

45k miles, stock clutch. Car suddenly had trouble going into gear (could shift fine but it would take a second for the lever to allow me to shift into the next gear). The problem was a common one...



Chapter 1: Taking Action

Armed with the knowledge that Exedy (OEM) clutches fail at this point (thin metal, non radiused edges, etc.), I thought "self, why not buy a better product, one more robust!" Reference: http://www.m24x.com/clutch101.htm Extra beefy metal, check. Bulletproof Kevlar, double check! On with the install!



Chapter 2: Damnit Jim, I'm not a mechanic!

Whilst gingerly perusing the exit from a gas station onto a country lane, I experience a great trembling from the depths of Hell. Wait, no...wrong movie...

Yes Virginia, she won't shift again... 99k on the clock...



Chapter 3: If it doesn't work, throw money at it...

I'm done with this ****. I'll mortgage my future children and start selling body parts...what clutch is the magic ticket? The hurdle here is a number exceeding > 50k miles. Bidding commences at $xxxx.xx.

Reference an old post: "FAIL!!!!" https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=2381058


Epilogue (before making final purchase):

1.) Springs = fail
2.) Kevlar = hot
3.) ...
4.) Profit

Modified by Tweakmeister at 6:08 PM 10/18/2008


Modified by Tweakmeister at 12:46 PM 10/20/2008

 

do you ride the clutch a whole lot? clutches not lasting beyond 50k? is that typical?

not being smart. I just dont know. I havent hit 50k yet.

 

The material is not the problem. The original disc, and this kevlar disc, have TONS of life left on them.

In fact, the Kevlar is great...as Rocket's article says, I can still see the machining marks on the flywheel. There's probably another 200k of material left on it.

It's the springs that keep blowing through the hub. I guess it's time to venture into unsprung territory. Will be interesting to see if the tranny lasts?


Modified by Tweakmeister at 6:38 PM 10/18/2008

 

You'll be fine with an unsprung. I've been on an Action 1MD (6-puck unsprung) for 2.5 years now with no problems, and no trans wear (I tear my trans down often enough to check). Was on the 1MS (6-puck sprung) for a year before that until I destroyed my trans (cross threaded IGB, came out, pp sent it through the case, clutch soaked in fluid while slipping for the next 400 miles to my destination).

 

ATS Carbon clutch and flywheel

the next clutch I will buy without a doubt.

 

that has only happened to me twice... don't be too hard on your clutch bro

 

Formula clutch from AP Racing (the brake ppl)

 

Anyone used Tilton? Sounds like that's what Realtime used.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tweakmeister &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Anyone used Tilton? Sounds like that's what Realtime used.</TD></TR></TABLE>

James,

Alot of the drag cars that I do use the competition, clutchmasters, or tilton twin plate clutches. It is pretty extreme for a stock engine, although I promise you will never have this problem again, AND the overall weight of the entire clutch and flywheel assy is drastically lighter than even a lightened flywheel and normal sized pressure plate clutch package. Not a very street able combo though.

Just .02

Ill be using a clutch masters or exedy twin in the next year or so.

 

Sander,

Thanks - which Clutchmasters? My searches seem to yield the Stage 3 is popular in the R/R forum.

As the cheap alternative, I'm calling Action Monday to see if they can get me just another kevlar disc like this one and then maybe roll into a rebuild or something in another 50k.

btw, running the Comptech 6.75lb flywheel.

 

Can I get someone to pop out the rivets on this disc and put in some crazy heat treated metal?

 

You can get just the disk from Action. They also have some new clutches that are pretty trick.

 

Surprised about the positive comments regarding action Kevlar.

An old 1KS i had would slip as soon as it started to heat up.

 

Called Action and they are gonna look at it.


Some more interesting reading: http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/CLUTCH/

 

Tweak... i used a Clutchmasters Stage 3 when i owned my R-powered EM1. That thing saw some pretty heavy abuse and to my knowledge is still ticking over 50K+ miles later.

I have since moved on to the Exedy Stage 1 which i used in my GSR. I put over 60K miles on that clutch and flywheel combo with zero problems. ZERO. I now have the same set-up in my ITR.

Best of luck with your choices.

 

Jon, is that the model "FX300?"
http://www.clutchmasters.com/i...s.tpl

How is pedal feel?

 

FX600, Twin disc.

Again, likely way more than you need. But a good clutch nonetheless

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Exedy Tech Support &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">TWK, From the pictures you have a definite mis-alignment issue. Please inspect the transmission input shaft bearing(s) and the pilot bearing. Also inspect the bellhousing and engine block mating surface to ensure that the transmission seats itself flat to the engine block. The pictures tell me that the input shaft is not aligning straight with the input shaft. Please address the issues stated above before installing a new clutch.</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

I have the FX300 and I hate it for the soft pedal feel. It's probably softer than stock, but I can't tell for sure since I was coming off of using an ACT HD-SS.

My two cents is that it costs $150 more than a HD-SS, but drives like a stock clutch.

The ACT HD-SS was great, but the pressure plate fingers like to lose elasticity after so many miles. I only had 50k miles on it when it just lost pedal pressure one night. I drove it with the damaged pressure plate for another two months before getting the CM FX300. When I took it out, the clutch disc was just fine. I should have just bought another HD pressure plate. It would have been cheaper and less regrettable.

 

In V - thanks for the review.

I'd love to know if Exedy is just pointing fingers, or if this is a bigger problem with Honda B-series transmissions going out of spec

 

maybe try something unsprung ones?
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tweakmeister &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Reference an old post: "FAIL!!!!" https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=2381058 </TD></TR></TABLE>
original poster of that thread here. i JUST finished installing new clutch along with new bushings. went with action 6 puk unsprung . less parts to break.
i haven't started the car yet but hopefully it will go smooth.

 

Thanks for the update.

I'm still waiting to have the Action one replaced. I'm going to reinstall and see how long it lasts again.