Im going to need to replace my clutch soon. I want OEM but my stock one is really difficult to push in. Not sure if its just old or what. I always take it out of gear at stoplights because my left ankle literally gets sore driving around from pushing it in for so long. Any one know if its just old or if its stock?

 

i feel as if my stock clutch is too easy to push if anything i wish it were a little stiffer

 

It seems the clutch gets stiffer with age. I just replaced my 100K clutch with a factory one and the pedal is MUCH lighter now

 

I'd recommend you purchase the Exedy OEM replacement. It has a nice soft pedal feel. Price is very cheap as well. $330 shipped includes disk, pressure plate, pilot bearing and throwout bearing !!

 

I understand what your question is, and please forgive me for the aside I'm about to take in addition to your question. The easy answer to your final question: the proof will be when the clutch is changed out.

An old clutch can become difficult to operate as it ages. This may also be a sign of contamination and or damage in the hydraulic clutch release/actuation system (the clutch master and slave cylinders) - especially if the clutch system has never been bled (something to consider).

My aside is an important point though - in that you should always take the car out of gear and let the clutch out at a stop - it doesn't matter what manual transmission car you drive. Leaving the clutch pressed in at stoplights creates avoidable wear to the thrust washers that limit crank thrust/play. The result is crank walk over time, and the difficulties you're experiencing may actually be an early indication of excessive thrust play/wear.

Use the search function on this site and in general, and read a little about what causes this type of problem as well. If your car starts to stall frequently at stoplights when you begin to take off - this may be a big problem.

An interesting read of a recent problem. Pay particular attention to what Billman posts.
https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/928...e__p__21416901

 

Have you done the necessary maintenance first before deciding that your clutch needs to be replaced?

If the pedal is getting stiff but the clutch isn't slipping yet, chances are you might want to bleed your clutch fluid and performing the necessary maintenance on your slave cylinder.