Which clutch ?

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WRCVR4

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Joined
Jun 14, 2005
Messages
1,660
Location
Melbourne, VIC
I need to replace my Xtream button clutch (3yrs old and starting to slip)
What would people recommend i go with ?
Another Xtream (Purple) one, but uprated to 2400lbs (2200lbs atm)
Jim Berry race clutch ?

I dont want to spend the earth on this, but needs to be good :roll:
 
exedy or jim berry,they are both very good.

exedy is cheaper

jim berry can build what you want

i had my exedy one modified by jim berry
 
People will advise all sorts of different things when it comes to clutches so possibly even consider trying something different if you dont want to go down the path of Exedy anymore. Some people love them, others loathe them for all sorts of reasons justified or unjustified. Just that when you find a good thing stick with it. Are you happy with your old clutch as if you only want a little bit more clamp you can get your pressure plate modified to suit - easy :)

Jim Berry is a custom clutch specialist in Australia that does them for all sorts of racing applications and is great at what he does. From his own admission his 4G63 3000lbs+ clamp single disc clutches are pretty hard on the left thigh and are not recommended for the mainly daily driven street car. Last we spoke he quoted me $1000 + postage + I had to supply an existing Exedy heavy duty clutch for him to modify so I looked for other alternatives. He's the best in the industry but if you cant afford to spend that sort of money at the moment it may be worth giving something else a try, especially from the American DSM scene :)

I am not going to get into a 'buy this/buy that' scenario, just offering you some different options that you probably didnt know about that might be a bit more value for money at the moment for you.

There is a clutch company in America called 'SPEC' http://www.specclutch.com/ and they make a 4G63 clutch called the SPEC Stage 3+ with part number #SM483F - It's got High clamp pressure plate, full-faced (non puk) carbon metallic friction, high torque sprung hub and disc assembly, 3000+lbs clamping, 500ft-lbs torque. I bought one of these a year ago after reading some good feedback from several street/strip car drivers in US forums. I still havent had a chance to try it as my car is still off the road so I cant say how it performs at this stage unfortunately. It's getting good reviews especially from those involved in motor racing or with some decent power under the bonnet. Have a read of some recent feedback at the bottom of this page: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166657&page=6&highlight=stage3

One step down from the Stage3+ but not as good is the SPEC Stage3, 6 puk sprung clutch with 415 Ft-Lbs Torque. It's part number is #SM483 and is also getting good feedback from some hi-po daily drivers however it all depends on how much grunt you've got and how hot you get it whether or not you'll experience slippage.

The ACT2600 or bigger in a full face clutch disc (not the Extreme 4 puk version) has been a popular choice for years but its said that the ACT's have had some problems failing (manufacturing faults) over the last couple of years. Some people are still die hard ACT fans, others have since moved on.

There's also the Centreforce Dual Friction clutches but I've read mixed reviews and perhaps may be worth looking into a bit further.

Just some food for thought for ya, have a look around, weigh up your options, and be confident in your next decision :)
 
rob,

that price from jim seems very high,
i supplied him a second hand exedy h/d pressure plate (admittedly only done about 70kms) he modified that suppied a 3 puck solid plate
and throw out bearing. pretty sure that was $615. modified to 3200lb

i am also yet to drive this but it is solely for competition
 
also as rob said, some people like exedy and some dont,
the quility is definatley good and i have personally used them in my
own road cars with great success.
my r32 has 180kw@wheels with a h/d exedy kit and i have done 70,000kms and still going strong(with abuse)

my fiancees civic coupe vti how ever lacks the clamp load required with a
standard replacement clutch,

in short it depends what clutc/pressure plates are supplied in what kit,
as some are jap,some aussie,some purchased direct for the genuine
supplier and put in an exedy box
 
I have an act 2600, also the much-maligned fidanza flywheel. No worries with it, except the clutch is fairly heavy, especially for a car thats in traffic. When I get into a normal car the clutch feels like it's made of pudding. If your ankle is sore for whatever reason it's hard to get it off the line smoothly :D Other than that it's quite good, you can slip it a little, which is great for the daily low-speed maneuvres.
 
I suspect the high quote was because I wanted a full face and sprung clutch centre (slippable for the street) which would have required more clamping force from the pressure plate to bite when I need it to when on the strip. But the drawback was gonna be very heavy pedal feel. Jim was open and honest about it and we discussed several options but it came down to the fact that big power + single full face clutch plate = a pressure plate with strong clamping force enough to make your left leg twice the size of your right leg within a few weeks :lol: The other option would be a puk clutch with less pressure but it would place more strain on the drivetrain and would be less slippable on the street. It's just one of those evils and decisions you've got to make I suppose when you want a hi-po street/strip car. So after speaking with Jim I looked around to see what else was out there comparible to his product and the only other option I found at the time was the SPEC stage3+ which also offered 3000lbs+ clamping force in a full face sprung unit but they reckon the pedal feel is quite good and nowhere near as bad as the old ACT clutches so I thought why not? plus heavy clutches like the ACT's are believed to be a contributor toward many 4G63's crankwalking so less pressure on the crank and bearings is a good thing (even though I have a 6 bolt VR4 engine I dont want to be pressing my back hard against the seat to try to get the pedal down) :) I'll give this SPEC clutch a go and if it turns out to be no good then at least I tried something different than the norm. If the reviews are right and its actually quite a decent product then we have one more option when it comes to deciding on a clutch :) My apologies go out because I talked about the SPEC clutch last year to a few members but I still havent got the car on the road to provide some feedback on it :oops:
 
Daily driver with moderate power output and occaisional Drag strip runs:
We use Exedy Sports Racing pressure plate with Mitsubishi clutch plate. This is a strong, quiet and smooth combo.
USE ONLY THE NSK PLASTIC BORE RELEASE BEARING.
REPLACE THE CLUTCH FORK AND PIVOT BALL IF WORN.
 
I have used an exedy ceramic button in my vr4 very tough but not very good for daily driving i now run with a extreme ceramic cushion button much more streetable but its whatever floats your boat i suppose :p
 
i've got an exedy ceramic 3 puk clutch in mine with the fidanza alloy flywheel.

for every day driving, i hate it... it drives me nuts, but it grabs when i need it to. it also rattles on decel.

most people who jump in the car and drive it seem to think it's bearable, but when i drive the car to work in traffic every day in traffic, i feel like pulling over and walking.

...then again, i have been used to driving around in a stock honda jazz for the last few months.

you don't live too far away, come take it for a drive if you wish.
 
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