A new twist. I took the car out today to bring by a shop close to my house. It was limping again. The "bucking" was back. At certain points as the revs went up you could feel the engine and drivetrain hooking up and everything felt normal. As if the clutch was slipping out of disengagement (not sure if that makes sense...hard to explain the feeling. Felt like I hit the cold rev limiter and then all the sudden the car was warm and she just kept climbing, rev's-wise, as nothing had happened). If I slowed down to a stop the car would fight to stay running...almost stalling several times. When I got to the shop the car was idling below 1k and shuddering. I shut her off, went inside for 5min tops. Came back out with their tech and we got in the car. Started up no problem. Took her out and the car barely had any problems. It lurched/bucked once, but nothing like what it was doing on the way there. This guy said he thought it was more of a engine issue than a clutch issue. Perhaps it's mis-firing or bad gas. Personally I find it too much of a coincidence that this all started with the clutch pedal feel changing and it's now an engine management problem. Regardless the clutch still doesn't feel right. He even said there seemed to be too much play at the top of the pedal, but otherwise felt normal. He also threw out the idea of the Master cylinder going bad. So now I am at a complete loss. I'm going to hold off on ordering the clutch parts till I can get someone to narrow down what is going on...

 

The way that I tune my car is all at once. I collect all my parts (performance) and then they will all get put on at once. I dont plan on putting all of the performance parts on untill I graduate school. Plus I only spent about 250 dollars on parts this time being that I already had a OEM pressure plate and release bearing.

Edit: I have a friend who works at a machine shop in the area and he set me up.

 

Makes sense s2kBryan916. I was just curious.

I finally got a hold of my buddy that is an a Honda Tech. Describing the issues to him over the phone he was very confident that there is an issue with the TO bearing sticking. He said it's best to just do a complete clutch install. Still contemplating doing it myself. Any advice?

 

Unless you are a failrly good mechanic you will be in over your head. Do you realize that you will need to drop the engine and sub frame 4-6" to pull the transmission. This is not a job for the faint at heart. If you have never done a clutch this is not the car to practice on. I did mine alone on my back with jack stands but I have done a few others.

 

I think you may have just pushed me over the edge trich1687. I needed that "you shouldn't do this" challenge.
I understand it's a big job. I've never done a clutch before, but I'm not a novice. I've been around cars all my life and I have taken some courses in auto repair. I also have the added bonus of a neighbor who is an ASE Certified Master Tech & a friend that is a Certified Honda Tech. At least the clutch is a straight forward setup. Could be worse.
I have been reading up on mbilderback's DIY for the clutch install. Doesn't seem like anything that I don't think I could do...with a little help. I appreciate your stated concern. If you have any tips you feel like sharing I would appreciate it.
Thanks,
-j

 

A few tips:
Lossen but DO NOT totally remove the upper starter bolt, it's a bitch to get back in.
Raise the car high enough of you will be struggling.
Once the tranny is all unbolted pull the clutch fork out of it's position, This is held by spring type retainers and it pullls straight out enough to disengage fron the throw out bearing, if you dont do this the trans will not come off as you will be fighting the PP.
The hex head allen fastners on the drive shat will be a pain, don't pull slowley on the wrench.Make sure you have a cleanly ground end and a short pc of pipe on the long end of the L wrench for leverage then pull swiftly and forcefully they will " snap" loose otherwise you will round the inside or the head and be forced to use vise grips or cut them. Good luck and keep us updated.