Echo the sentiments above. When I did my clutch I opted to spend the extra money on the release bearing from Honda (this is before the video about the FCC/Sachs disk & PP came out)....there's just something that doesn't rub me the right way about one not from Honda, even if the manufacturer of it sells it directly. In terms of things like a clutch job, I'd much rather buy once and cry once if it comes down to saving $2-300...because in actuality, if these parts fail prematurely, you're gonna be spending even more money and time to fix it again....Not even worth risking that eventuality for such a small sum of money saved.

And from everything I've seen from aftermarket replacement parts....the term "Meets or exceeds OE specifications" is by far one of the biggest lies in the industry....And these are things that don't even need to be put to the test....just holding them in your hands and looking at them you can tell that's total and utter nonsense...

 

Let's just say, if I had to pull the transmission off, after 20K miles because the stupid aftermarket disc springs popped off....

Much better to use right stuff, the first time.

 

The scary thing is, I've noticed in the FT/GR86/BRZ community and forums, they actually promote, highly recommend and love the crppy Exedy clutch kits. No one advises against Exedy clutches there. irdk why.

Complete opposite on the S2ki forums/community/proof/experience/pics.

I think it may come down to age and maturity of ownership... more older people in S2k community, appreciate OEM and have grown out of their ricer boy stages... whereas, 86/BRZ are mostly younger people, wannabe drifters/racers and wanna rice everything out and do all 3rd-party parts.

 

It must depend on the car. For Miatas, people claim the OEM clutch is made by Exedy so everyone just uses Exedy (similar to this discussion.) People have been using an recommending Exedy clutches for Miatas for over 15 years, and I haven't heard the horror stories like with the S2000. If they were bad, someone would know by now.

 

Depends on the car.

For civics from like 88-2015, Exedy clutches work the best.

Lots of other cars are fine with Exedy. Exedy makes really good clutches overall.

The main issue for the S2000 is that the disc springs need to be cased in. The Exedy disc just has open springs....and that's usually what fails.

You're also spoiled by having a Honda. Most other brands have reliability issues that the aftermarket actually fixes. Can you imagine? Having to MODIFY the car for it to be reliable? Poor bastards.

 

As other people have said Exedy makes good clutches that work very well in other applications, its just their OE replacement disc for the S2000 that wasn't designed well. I'd have no issues running an Exedy on other platforms or even a different Exedy clutch kit on this car, like their Hyper Single if I was doing a build that required it.

 

That's prolly because their cars don't have VTEC. And ppl rarely run the things at-or-over 7K for long.

 

I see everyones point... the friction discs and PP may be fine for other cars... but, regardless of car make/model, I am pretty sure the bearings Exedy supplies w their kits will be much worse than OE Japanese made bearings supplied by Toyota, Mazda, Subaru, Nissan, etc.

Bearings too, are just as important as friction discs and PPs, for reliability.

 

I was weary to say at first, but when the clutch went out in my 2010 FA5 I sprung for an Exedy replacement....had no issues with it for 50k miles before I smashed it, LOL.

 

I went with the oem disk and act pressure plate with the oem bearings etc. been happy with it. Since I have an ap2 I also put in an ap1 slave cyl but sine you have an ap1 you are good.