Hi all,

The original clutch on my wife's EP3 is finally nearing the end (one owner - 130,000 miles!), and I would like some opinions.

I just read through a thread here that was basically 3 pages of the OP being made fun of for paying $900 for a clutch job. So I guess I don't want to be that guy, but I didn't realize that price was so unreasonable.

Anyway, a few questions:

1) Is there an aftermarket setup that is just a tad heavier than stock? Neither of us like the mushy pedal of the stock clutch (even when it was new), and would like to find something a little firmer if possible. It doesn't need to actually grip harder or quicker - she won't be modifying the car and never races. It's purely a pedal feel thing.

I don't know what's good or bad on this car, and whether aftermarket is worth the expense. I have an Exedy racing clutch on one of my other cars, and she can't drive it whatsoever. I also notice every ACT seems to require a RSX Type-S flywheel as well. So maybe I should just forget this whole idea. Any advice?

2) What should I expect to pay for this in SoCal, by a non-shady shop? My regular guy, who I trust and I've previously verified all his other quotes to be fair, is telling me $800 (labor), $285 (clutch kit), $50 (flywheel resurface). This is over $1100. I called a couple other local shops, and they were all in the same general $1100-1200 range. Dealer was way worse still (obviously).

People in that other thread were bragging about having it done for $400 or less, which just sounds impossible to me. I've trusted this guy many times before, but there's a BIG difference between $400 and $1100. Does it have to do with location? If not, can anyone in SoCal recommend a good shop?

3) Finally, more generally, is there anything I should look out for or know about having this done? Presumably stock is the "best" way to go for normal commuter use, and I should forget about question 1? Any dos and don'ts? Anything that should be done while he's in there, etc? Any lightweight flywheel that's just so good I should get instead of resurfacing? Just trying to get all my ducks in a row.

Thanks guys!

 

For a little stronger than stock your best bet is probably the RSX-S stock replacement clutch and flywheel. To run the RSX-S clutch you have to also use the flywheel, which I believe is lighter than the EP3's.

I have the RSX-S Exedy OEM replacement clutch and Competition Clutch 11.5lb lightweight flywheel. For a daily driver that setup works well for me, it sounds like stock Type-S flywheel would suit you just fine. The Type-S setup feels like what the clutch should have been to begin with, not anything extreme you need to adjust to.

I installed the clutch myself and I'm on the East Coast so I can't help with SoCal pricing. Check out clubEP3 or ephatch, there's a ton of Cali guys on there that could help with local pricing and shop recommendations. Also the cheapest place to get a clutch is Amazon. I was surprised as hell, my clutch was $117 shipped.

 

Thanks! Will look into that. Amazon sells OE clutches, or off-brand? I never even thought to look there.

Also joined ephatch and asked there, thanks for that tip as well.

 

I'd look into getting a stainless steel braided clutch line. This helps with fluid expansion and gives the pedal a tighter feel, regardless of clutch type. These can be found on clubrsx.com for about $40.

Any aftermarket clutch on the EP3 requires the RSX-s flywheel, unless it's OEM.

You get what you pay for in terms of labor quality. Alldata says the clutch job on an EP3 calls for 8 hours of labor, and at $80/hr of labor costs, do the math..


For your needs it sounds like just a standard Exedy OE replacement is all you need. I wouldn't recommend a lightweight flywheel for normal daily driving if you won't be racing or doing any additional mods.

No it's not. Both are 16lbs.