Clutch Recommendations (from experience only!)
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Driving around idiots in TX
Originally Posted by Habitforming,Sep 5 2005, 03:17 PM
great information! thanks everyone for your replies.
It looks like the HardtopGuy offer probably makes the most sense for now. Definitely cheapest of the similar metal clutch setups. Why do they offer the OEM Honda disc instead of the ACT Street Disc? Also is there any reason to prefer the Mugen PP over the ACT?
Also I am curious about SPEC. I've not really heard a lot about them, but this is the second time I've heard someone with nothing but good to say about them. Can anyone else vouch?
The ATS bluesaint has for sale seems like a great deal as well. Is the carbon type total overkill for the 300 hp s/c S2000 I'm planning on making, or will I see some benefit in consistency during long track days and an overall longer service life? Increased pedal effort isn't a big issue to me, I daily drove an un-spring 4puck with ACT extreme disc in my old integra for about a year. Man that sucked in traffic, but any other time it was a lot of fun.
It looks like the HardtopGuy offer probably makes the most sense for now. Definitely cheapest of the similar metal clutch setups. Why do they offer the OEM Honda disc instead of the ACT Street Disc? Also is there any reason to prefer the Mugen PP over the ACT?
Also I am curious about SPEC. I've not really heard a lot about them, but this is the second time I've heard someone with nothing but good to say about them. Can anyone else vouch?
The ATS bluesaint has for sale seems like a great deal as well. Is the carbon type total overkill for the 300 hp s/c S2000 I'm planning on making, or will I see some benefit in consistency during long track days and an overall longer service life? Increased pedal effort isn't a big issue to me, I daily drove an un-spring 4puck with ACT extreme disc in my old integra for about a year. Man that sucked in traffic, but any other time it was a lot of fun.
No clue about SPEC... never heard anything about them.
The ATS clutch kit is probably a little overkill for 300hp... but the clutch is BEAUTIFUL. Sky-Chicken had it in his S2000 and liked it very much (got 321hp with a stock Vortech, Supersprint exhaust, ATS clutch on a Dynojet!). Not too bad in traffic, but still a handful. Personally the only downside for me is the noise the clutch makes (you think the old "decel buzz" was noisy!!!) But if you have this clutch, you should be racing, in which case noise is of no consequence!
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: New York
Well, just to fill you in one a few things about SPEC...
Spec isnt very well known in the Honda world, because most people love JDM stuff, etc, putting stage 15 clutches on cars that make 90lbs of tq.
I myself will be getting a SPEC stage 1. Pedal pressure exactly like stock. Holds 320lbs of tq, which unless you are VERY turboed, are numbers youll never see in an s2000.
The customer service is second to none. They will MAKE you a clutch if you want, just send them specs or data, and they will make anything from organic discs to carbon kevlar, to puck, etc. They also have a lightweight option which takes a few lbs of the clutch....that translates into more wheel hp. (not much, but it is noticeble)
They are also on the cheaper spectrum. They can be had for about 400-500 for the entire assembly.
Also, note that I do not work nor have anything to do with them. I am speaking from many many great experiences with them.
Spec isnt very well known in the Honda world, because most people love JDM stuff, etc, putting stage 15 clutches on cars that make 90lbs of tq.
I myself will be getting a SPEC stage 1. Pedal pressure exactly like stock. Holds 320lbs of tq, which unless you are VERY turboed, are numbers youll never see in an s2000.
The customer service is second to none. They will MAKE you a clutch if you want, just send them specs or data, and they will make anything from organic discs to carbon kevlar, to puck, etc. They also have a lightweight option which takes a few lbs of the clutch....that translates into more wheel hp. (not much, but it is noticeble)
They are also on the cheaper spectrum. They can be had for about 400-500 for the entire assembly.
Also, note that I do not work nor have anything to do with them. I am speaking from many many great experiences with them.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,244
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From: Northern KY
Thanks again, all
SPEC seems good, but I'll wait until a few others have some more experience with them. Plus it's a little more money for essentially the same performance as the ACT/OEM/COMPTECH combo at hardtopguy.
RWD_RCKT - You're probably right about ATS being overkill, and I don't want to deal with extra noise right now. We'll see what I end up doing with the car in a few years before I go that route.
Finger is on the trigger, I'll probably make my final decision tonight.
SPEC seems good, but I'll wait until a few others have some more experience with them. Plus it's a little more money for essentially the same performance as the ACT/OEM/COMPTECH combo at hardtopguy.
RWD_RCKT - You're probably right about ATS being overkill, and I don't want to deal with extra noise right now. We'll see what I end up doing with the car in a few years before I go that route.
Finger is on the trigger, I'll probably make my final decision tonight.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2005
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honda head 420 you know that I beat you in my civic hybrid stop lying about your clutch.J/k
I've been in his car and that clutch is the shit. I totally agree with him. I wonder why he wont race my TL, he's probably afraid of the power of my grounding kit.
The exedy has a grabby nature to it, it takes getting used to. He has 7k miles on it. Most of them racing miles, from the stories I hear. I dont know about longevity, but it does what it's supposed to and more.
I've been in his car and that clutch is the shit. I totally agree with him. I wonder why he wont race my TL, he's probably afraid of the power of my grounding kit.
The exedy has a grabby nature to it, it takes getting used to. He has 7k miles on it. Most of them racing miles, from the stories I hear. I dont know about longevity, but it does what it's supposed to and more.
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Los Angeles
I can't speak for the SPEC Stage I, but I have the SPEC Stage 2 kevlar clutch mated with the Comptech flywheel.
It's grabs very well and the pedal feel is a light as stock.
However, It does chatter loudly on decel during break-in. I have about 3k miles on mine right now and there is still some chatter when decelerating in the 3000-4000 rpm range, but it's much quieter. I believe this is because they do not have the helper springs as the new OEM disc has.
For a car with stock set up I think most here would reccomend the ACT PP and new OEM disc combo.
It's grabs very well and the pedal feel is a light as stock.
However, It does chatter loudly on decel during break-in. I have about 3k miles on mine right now and there is still some chatter when decelerating in the 3000-4000 rpm range, but it's much quieter. I believe this is because they do not have the helper springs as the new OEM disc has.
For a car with stock set up I think most here would reccomend the ACT PP and new OEM disc combo.
Registered User
Joined: May 2005
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From: Altoona PA - San Antonio TX
I just put a Spec stage 3 clutch and Fidanza aluminum flywheel in my car. The flywheel is great. The light weight allows the car to rev quickly and it feels more responsive. The pressure plate has just about the same pedal effort as stock, but has more clamping force. The 6 puck disc is made from a ceramic carbon composite and grips very well. I noticed some deceleration buzz and a little chatter, but the cluch is not broken in yet. I also do not know how long the service life is since I just installed it. Putting in a clutch is a major PITA so you really want to get the right combination the first time. A persons opinion of a particular clutch is subjective and everyone's driving style is different. Just like exhaust everyone likes something different.
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Northern KY
Very good point Yellow. It's too bad I can't go test drive one or two of these before having to choose. Anyone in the Dayton/Cincinnati/Lexington/Louisville area that has some aftermarket clutch that would let me go for a quick spin? I'll buy you a beer!!! 
afterward of course
afterward of course
Former Moderator
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: New York
Originally Posted by S2KSpaYellow,Sep 6 2005, 11:53 PM
I just put a Spec stage 3 clutch and Fidanza aluminum flywheel in my car. The flywheel is great. The light weight allows the car to rev quickly and it feels more responsive. The pressure plate has just about the same pedal effort as stock, but has more clamping force. The 6 puck disc is made from a ceramic carbon composite and grips very well. I noticed some deceleration buzz and a little chatter, but the cluch is not broken in yet. I also do not know how long the service life is since I just installed it. Putting in a clutch is a major PITA so you really want to get the right combination the first time. A persons opinion of a particular clutch is subjective and everyone's driving style is different. Just like exhaust everyone likes something different.
Registered User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 412
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From: Altoona PA - San Antonio TX
My car had 45K on it when I was running a RSX type s. The clutch slipped badly in second so I wanted something that would really grab....plus I was planning ahead for future upgrades. I don't want to have to do it twice.