Help please. My 2002 S2000 roasts the clutch every time that I try to take off with authority. Everything is fine until I spin the rpm's up to 6k, or so, before releasing the clutch. Upon release, the car just sits there and stinks to the high heavens. My local dealor mechanic says that it is normal and due to the extreme stickiness of the stock tires. Car-x man says the same thing. I know and trust the mechanic (he's actually the head cheese there), but don't like his answer one bit. Advice? Comments? Help!? asrph

 

stock clutch is not made to take too many of those take offs

 

It has never handled even one of those take-offs. It seems strange to me that a car which is touted as being race ready would not be able to handle it's own power off of the line. How is one supposed to optimize speed to achieve the reported 0-60 times if the clutch eats itself when called upon? I don't abuse my car, but think that it is strange that the clutch bakes so easily. Without the initial revs on take-off, the car is quite a dog off the line. Is an aftermarket clutch the only answer?

 

You need a new clutch.
Go to the Honda dealer and ask for the 2003 clutch disc. It was changed for the better.

 

Thanks for the advice. That would be worth it even if it isn't covered under warranty. The car has been demoted to date night duties since our little girl was born, but I'd still like for it to perform when I ask it to.

 

Did the childseat fit in there?

 

Oh yeah, the recess in the trunk is just deep enough to accept the child seat. Those Honda engineers don't miss a thing. Macy has some slight cranial bruising from having the trunk lid slammed on her melon, but she seems to enjoy the rides.

 

if you are out of warranty i would get aftermarket clutch with more grip
exedy clutch i heard is really good

 

Our baby is still under warranty (under 9000 diapers on the odometer). Would Honda replace a clutch that the service manager does not consider to be defective?

 

How are you "releasing" the clutch? You don't just "release" the clutch on this car when trying to launch. You MUST "RELEASE" the clutch. By this, I mean you must start with it right to the floor. Once you have the revs up to the proper place (6 grand is good), you pull your foot off the clutch pedal FASTER than the spring can bring it up. In other words, your foot beats the pedal up. At the precise moment you "drop" the clutch, you also mash the gas. Doing this the "proper" way, you should be able to repeat it many, many times during the life of the clutch. HOWEVER, I cannot guaranty that the rest of your drivetrain can survive long doing this.

DISCLAIMER: I do NOT encourage this type of operation of this equipment.