Need some advice/help, maybe someone ran into the same problem as me? Have searched the threads, found 1 that was similar but stil want to ask if more people have had this problem.

I drive a S2000 with SoS supercharger on 1 bar, clutch is a ClutchMasters FX300, about 10.000-15.000 kilometres old.
The clutch buzz is horrible, only found out after installing and searching the forum. Had to much confidence in LHT info sadly. So I have disliked this clutch since the beginning.

Lately have had a few encounters on the streets with downshifting that the car wouldn't want to go into the gear, after multiple careful attempts and less speed it would go in. But this only occasionally happened.
My last drive was the same, twice on my evening run the car wouldn't downshift into gear, no matter which gear I would try.
But then, having it standing in the garage over night. The next day it will not disengage anymore at all.

I am a mechanic, so I have checked the usual things.
No leakages, fluid is sufficient level, clutch pedal does not feel weird nor has it had no pressure at any time.
I change the fluid every year, (but still always black).
Have changed the fluid anyway. Have bled the system with a vacuumtool. I can see the slave and even the release bearing moving when someone is pressing the clutch.
I have a stainless steel braided clutch line so the line is not bulging.
Even adjusted the master cylinder to its absolute maximum.

But the car will not disengage the clutch.. Have even tried putting it in gear, having the car on handbrake and starting it, but still does not release.
Have never had a clutch that feels alright and moves but does not disengage.

Only thing that I can think of that something is binding, and have found a similar thread where the FX300 clutch and pressure plate had bindend. -- > https://www.s2ki.com/forums/australi...-819167/page2/

Not looking forward to removing supercharger and transmission and so on for a clutch that has only had 10-15k kilometres on it, so if anyone has any thoughts on what I could try that would be much appreciated!

And yes, If I need to replace it I will go the ACT and OEM disc route as many of you are driving this with no problems.

 

Clutch is junk....I've always said this but....LHT used to be a "sweetheart" when it came to S2000s and everyone would emulate and use the parts that they recommended.....but when I would venture out into the "real world" for info, I was quickly painted a different picture about those parts....Looking back on it now, I find it laughable the products that they were peddling....Kraftwerks kits, Skunk2 suspensions, Skunk2 headers, Clutchmasters clutches....Like...WHAT? LOL. And they said that they weren't getting kickbacks from these companies to recommend and run these products....They absolutely were getting deals on these parts at wholesale and maybe even discounted further; I bet they were getting those KW kits for like $2500 and then selling them for 6k installed...

I think they even made a video of Obsessed Garage's black KW CR coming back after they supercharged it etc because the FX300 in his car failed so they had to replace it. I've been following LHT for the past 6-7 years. At first I took their word as gospel...But now? I basically do the opposite of what they recommend. I also find it funny how they've quietly transitioned away from all of the products they used to peddle - You don't see a single KW install video anymore, even though they used to tout it as "reliable"'; it's all SOS kits now. They used to refer to the ACT/OEM combo as "some weird combination of parts"...But now? That's all you really see them installing....Just food for thought.

Unfortunately it sounds like you've covered all bases my friend - first recommendations are always change fluid, inspect slave/master, adjust pedal for engagement, etc. If it won't fully disengage I'd wager that some portion of the clutch has failed; and that could be pieces of the disk friction material broke off and are now wedged between the disk and flywheel, the pressure plate leaf springs could've failed, the fingers could've failed, a disk spring could've broken free, the disk could be dished, etc....At this point I'd say this is absolutely a disk or pressure plate failure, sorry. I'd be curious to know what failed, though. Keep us updated! Crazy, I don't think I've ever seen a single person satisfied with Clutchmasters clutches as far as the FX300, 400 etc, whether due to failure, feel, or noise....

Edit:

I'll put my own experience in regarding the ACT/OEM combo in: Do it, it's one of the best, if not THE best. The only other single disk clutch(es) for a supercharged car I'd confidently recommend would be the SOS Sport 325/400 - they're also great. For reference, my car is a TTS Rotrex supercharged car making 21-22 psi (1.5ish bar?) at roughly 440whp on 93 octane and over 500+ whp on ethanol. I've been running it for the past 2 or so years...and I don't drive the car lightly....not even close. In fact, I beat it like a red-headed stepchild every time I take it out, because that's what I built it for: to have a blast. The thing goes like a raped ape, and I've never had issues with the clutch slipping or anything like that. I can confidently say that if you do go the route(s) mentioned above, you won't need to worry about the clutch ever again, except for when it's time to replace it due to wear, obviously, OR if you decide to go turbo and make more power. Unless you go absolutely nuts and shoot for the stars and beyond with a supercharger, you will almost never hit the limits of these clutches on a supercharged car; it's nigh impossible to do.

 

Amen! The sad part is that we trust these shops to guide us but at the end of the day they will do what benefits them most. Not saying they don't care about quality but that is just human nature. Same story goes with all these s2000 trans swaps. To me it's hogwash unless you are building an all out race car

 

Sad.

I am with Kyle.

 

Forget LHT and what they recommend. John can't even pronounce "Nachi" lol. See above. ACT H021 HD PP (the high quality, yellow beast) and OEM EVERYTHING else. I run that in my supercharged AP1 and could not be happier. Oh, and make sure you use Honda Urea grease.

 

Yea, found out that the Clutchmasters clutch was not recommended by any of the people on the forum, after searching for the mechanical noises just 2 kilometres after installing the Clutchmasters clutch..

Glad I did not believe them on the KW kit, saw to much posts on here from people that were saying it wasn't reliable at all, thats why I went the route to import a SoS kit.
To bad the TTS kit was more expensive, would have loved to drive that.
Only thing I did not like about the SOS kit is the noises from the supercharger at idle. Everybody over here thinks the car is falling apart , because none of the cars here in the Netherlands drives with a centrifugal charger.

Will be taking the transmission off soon when the other car is done on the carlift. Will keep you guys informed what has failed.

Thanks for the input on the ACT/OEM kit. glad to hear that it can take the "beating like a redheaded stepchild", that had me laughing my ass off.
And I was worried about the occasional clutch kick, if the OEM disc could take it, but so to hear it should not be a problem.

 

Yep, learned that the hard way. Did trust them, thats over now. I am glad we have a forum like these where we can come for information from people that do care about these iconic cars

Have the Urea grease in stock, thanks for the tip. Glad to see so many people that are happy with those ACT/OEM kits, makes me look forward to driving that clutch without the clutch buzz!