PDA

View Full Version : Opinions on clutches


2slow2go
07-19-2012, 11:38 PM
Yes I searched and read a lot of thread on clutches but was looking for more specific answers.

As of right now I'm leaning towards a exedy stage 2 clutch after looking at the reviews. Many reviews forget to mention if its a 3 puck,4 puck or 6 puck? On ebay, all i see are 3 puck stage 2 exedys.

Another issue was everyone mentions about the chatter from Pucked clutches. Is this true? I never really drove a call with a chatter before, is it that annoying or noticeable?

My car is a s14 sr20det stock besides front mount and some small stuff not relating to power gains. Looking for a clutch that soft to okay stiffness pedal feel to daily drive in traffic but will also last long even after some clutch kicks or something.

Opinions?

booey13
07-19-2012, 11:43 PM
Stage 2. I have one and it's tame enough for street driving and will handle clutch kicks here and there. Pucked clutches do tend to chatter a little but it's nothing unbearable.

slider2828
07-19-2012, 11:48 PM
The best is a RPS Street Max clutch.... had the stage two... great for anything 300whp ish.... any more it wears quick...

e1_griego
07-19-2012, 11:50 PM
I like my South Bend a lot.

Had exedy stage 2 with ACT prolite flywheel and it was a chatterbox. South Bend is butter smooth as its full face.

!Zar!
07-19-2012, 11:51 PM
This is an Exedy stage 2. I just installed one in my car last week and it is amazing so far. Still really DD friendly, yet grabs hard. There is chatter (sometimes) but whatever, chances are if you are driving a car that needs this clutch, it isn't anything you can't handle.

If you want a 6 puck sprung clutch, then that would be ACT

http://www.importrp.com/files/images/Exedy/exedy-stage2-thick.jpg

Why not get something that isn't as extreme? I rather replace clutches than transmissions.

2slow2go
07-20-2012, 12:00 AM
thanks for the quick reply guys.

Yea definitely not going 6 pucks because i'm more looking for a daily feel.

can anyone describe the chatter noise? is it a metal grinding noise?
Does it happen all the time or usually during engagement or disengagement of the clutch?

this is the toasted clutch i pulled out of the car today after buying it.
I believe the clutch was a exedy stage 2 as pictured above but because it was toasted I couldn't really make any opinions on it. I did hear a metal grinding sound coming from the tranny on the way home. Not sure if thats the normal broke clutch sound or this chatter sound you guys are saying.

http://i.imgur.com/h9V89.jpg

booey13
07-20-2012, 12:04 AM
Mine chatters during both engagement and disengagement. Mostly while engaging though. It feels like the clutch is "slapping" the flywheel. Gassing it up a little more usually helps with this.

2slow2go
07-20-2012, 12:07 AM
aaah so no sounds after let say idleing or you're already in gear and with clutch pedal released and just gassing?

booey13
07-20-2012, 12:33 AM
Not for me. It's always during engagement/disengagement. I also have a lightweight flywheel so that doesn't help with the chatter either.

chris_240sx
07-20-2012, 12:49 AM
I ended up going with an Exedy stage 2 as well. My motor setup is the same as yours. I like it so far, daily driving my car for almost 2 years with it now. The only thing I have to compare it to is the stock clutch from my old KA, but it's not bad to drive at all. Engagement can be a little harsh sometimes but it's really not bad. It's held good on seldom clutch kicks and what not. I would recommend it.

slider2828
07-20-2012, 10:00 AM
I had the exedy stage 2 clutch before RPS..... Full face basically has no chatter, which southbend and RPS has even on lightened flywheels.

Exedy definitely has chatter and a harsher engagement than the RPS and higher engagement. Clutch pedal pressure is about the same as stock. RPS has a stiffer clutch feel but no chatter.

Chatter is definitely more noticeable with a lightened flywheel..... Personally I just don't like the high engagement of the clutch where you have to let go like 30-40% of the way before it really catches... Full faces catch pretty much 1" off the ground...

!Zar!
07-20-2012, 10:04 AM
What I did to fix the clutch throw is adjusted the rod that goes to the back of the clutch pedal.

Now 90% of the movement is doing work without having some dead space.

I notice chatter the more when I am not giving it enough gas.

2slow2go
07-20-2012, 12:35 PM
i think ima pull the trigger on a stage 2 3 puck exedy. I couldnt find any full face except stage 1( i assume that would be too weak).

I'm using a stock flywheel I think. No holes or anything on it just straight flat surface.

I'll be back with a review and questions if installing this shit sucks.

RedSiBaron
07-20-2012, 04:07 PM
clutches are crutches, i dont use that shit, over rated

Eazy_tom
07-20-2012, 04:37 PM
I have an Illegal Garage dual diaphragm.
I haven't driven on it yet, but the pedal is super aggressive.

2slow2go
07-27-2012, 01:34 AM
So I got the clutch installed today.

The overall clutch feel was pretty easy. Definitely grabs like a new clutch but not nail biting like a stage 3 i tried before. Pretty comfortable daily driving.

After install, I didn't really notice any chatter. I do hear like a metal sound during start up for half a second, maybe the flywheel or something.

My check engine light comes on intermittently( it blinks in odd intervals) but it doesnt seem engine related because it runs fine. I thought it might be because of the my kazz 2 way locking to hard on the tranny? No idea. Some input would be nice on this.

I also put in some redline mt-90. The shifting seems alright.. doesnt grind or anything but doesn't have that cushion smooth feel like a regular good KA tranny with whatever oil people put before. Best I can describe it as is like edgy shifting.. like I have to put the gears in straight and not like diagonally and stuff or I feel like I'll hit metal or grind.
I put 3 bottles(quarts?). Should I need more? Any recommendation on different oil for more of a cushion feel?

2slow2go
07-27-2012, 11:52 AM
Also,

On the s14 cluster. The service engine soon and check engine light are the same thing right? It doesn't have two different lights?

iamtheyi
07-27-2012, 06:42 PM
Also,

On the s14 cluster. The service engine soon and check engine light are the same thing right? It doesn't have two different lights?

We don't have a service engine soon light. If you have a check engine light, something is not working.

also, I have never heard of any diff putting stress on the tranny so a CEL comes on. I have a welded and no lights.

Hoffman5982
07-27-2012, 07:35 PM
I run a Fidanza 2.1 Carbon/Kevlar clutch on my S14 SR. I love it. The pedal isn't stiff and engages very nicely. I've put about 10k miles on it with absolutely no issues. Definitely recommend it.

fliprayzin240sx
07-27-2012, 08:27 PM
If after changing your clutch, you ended up getting a check engine light...you fucked up your Crank Angle Sensor on top of the tranny bell housing.

2slow2go
07-28-2012, 01:19 PM
^^ for some reason my cluster has a service engine soon light. It comes on intermittently. It's the left side on the right bottom light

I don't remember any sensor plug or anything on my tranny that I hooked or disconnected. Only my speed sensor

fliprayzin240sx
07-28-2012, 01:44 PM
NM, thought you still had a KA. S14 SR20s doenst have a crank angle sensor on the bellhousing.

Pull the code and see what it is...

2slow2go
07-28-2012, 02:24 PM
oh also, the service engine light came on before i did my clutch. it comes on intermittently and doesn't affect my car at all. but it does run a little rich.

But yea I do have the service engine light? s14s have a check engine light and service engine soon light?

cmg
07-29-2012, 11:40 AM
How did you put a clutch in your car yourself and cant figure out the cel?

2slow2go
07-30-2012, 12:24 AM
I tried but the data port doesn't work lol.

Drove it today and it didn't come on. I did notice it backfires more now. I'm thinking when the clutch was going out it was revved to much without going anywhere and burned rich and killed the o2 sensor. Thus the backfiring and service engine light now?

Anyone know what car o2 sensor with the same plug for a s14 sr20det?