Our OEM clutches are made by FCC that includes the friction disc and pressure plate.

I couldn't find any kit from gripforce with a FCC friction disc, all their "OEM" kits use an exedy or gripforce disc

I'm assuming this is the kit you were referring to, since its closest in description and price http://gripforce.com/product/2000-20...xedy-disc.html

The exedy "OEM" disc is pretty much guaranteed to explode prematurely. Search the forums and you will find tons of people that have had it happen to them. Billman250 will not even install exedy "OEM" clutches because he has seen so many fail for his customers.

If you compare pics of the exedy "OEM" and the Honda OEM disc you will see they are definitely not the same quality.

The cost of the genuine Honda OEM clutch from bernardiparts:
Friction disc 120
Throwout bearing 100
Pressure plate 250

 

That is the kit I was referring to. There is the one Exedy clutch used in that kit, and then there is the EXEDY OEM replacement clutch kit (KHC06). I don't know which one is involved in the failures you're talking about. I can only find one thread with an OEM Exedy clutch disc failure.
S2KPUPPYDAD claims that Exedy is the OEM manufacturer of the clutches here (he seems pretty knowledgeable but I can't find anything definitive): https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/691...vs-oem-clutch/

Regardless, I like you don't recommend gripforce clutches. As of yet, I have had no issues with my OEM clutch kit supplied my gripforce. They also have excellent customer service that you can actually reach.

 

Puddy is awesome with differentials but he's wrong about the clutch, according to Exedy themselves "Exedy is not the OEM supplier for the S2000. FCC is the OEM manufacture for this vehicle" https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/768...cement-clutch/
Here's what a Honda OEM friction disk looks like (purchased from a dealership a few months ago):
take note of a) the stampings that say HONDA and FCC and b) how well the springs are encapsulated compared to all the failed aftermarket discs in the below threads


Gripforce does not sell a genuine HONDA OEM clutch kit. they are selling an aftermarket "OEM replacement" kit and calling it "OEM" to dupe people like you into thinking they are getting geniune Honda OEM parts for a fraction of the price. I would not buy ANYTHING claiming to be "OEM" from gripforce because it's 100% bullshit

here are a bunch of non-honda failed clutches from a quick google search

exedy failure : https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/111...sion-problems/

another exedy failure: https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/102...-disc-failure/

yet another exedy failure: https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/106...res-my-clutch/

various people's experience with non-honda discs: https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/113...y-clutch-kits/

problems with the exedy disc and bearings: https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/942...-vs-exedy-kit/

failed competition clutch and exedy: https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/108...lutch-failure/

more aftermarket disc failure: https://www.s2ki.com/s2000/topic/109...t-clutch-disk/

 

That's a lot of great information. The OEM clutch definitely looks different than the one I have. Let's see how long mine lasts....

The competition clutch that I replaced had a spring retainer break too...

 

Thank you all for the wonderful information. I'm guessing it would be cheaper for me to just buy the entire clutch kit and have a shop install it? Or should i have the shop take a look at it in hope i just need to replace one thing and maybe save some money? I'd probably be better off replacing the entire assembly though just because of mileage. Are there any performance upgrade clutches or should i just stay oem?

 

Go Honda OEM all the way unless you plan on boosting, then go ACT HD Pressure Plate and then all the rest Honda OEM, including disk and throw out bearing.

 

Where are you located? Try your local regional subforum to see where there are recommended S2K mechanics you can go to. If you are anywhere near TN, I would highly recommend you let Jordan take care of it - he will order the right parts for what you need and labor is at a more than reasonable rate. He did my clutch replacement (OEM Friction Disc, AP1 Flywheel and ACT HD Pressure Plate with OEM parts for everything else) and labor for a great price.

If you have to go in there to replace the clutch, might as well replace the other parts...its not a fun job to do especially without a lift!

 

You likely have a failed clutch spring or throw out bearing. Buy a new set of parts from a Honda dealer like bernardiparts.com. clutch disk, plate, release bearing, and pilot bearing. The flywheel can be resurfaced. Or buy another AP1 flywheel.

Don't forget the urea grease and the release bearing guide.

Don't buy any aftermarket "OE equivalent" clutch (including the Exedy OE replacement).

 

OP it definitely sounds like your clutch has failed. It won't be cheap to replace, especially if you are paying someone to do the work for you. Listen to all the advice given so far in this thread. Use genuine Honda parts sourced from a local dealer or Majestic, etc. Only take it to someone with a history of S2000 work if possible. Hit your local forum and see if anyone has experience with a local shop or even a member that can do the work for you. They will charge less and know more than your run-of-the-mill dealership or service shop.

Depending on what has failed, you may only need to replace the friction disc, release bearing, pilot bearing, and pilot bearing guide (every one I've seen has been worn enough to warrant replacement, and its only like $12). You can have the flywheel resurfaced at a local shop that services transmissions and have them install the new pilot bearing into it for you. Your pressure plate can be reused as long as it isn't what has failed... if the wear surface looks good (not severely hot-spotted), the spring fingers are all there, and the runout of the wear surface is in spec then it can be reused. The same shop that does your flywheel can check the runout of the pressure plate for you.

afzan thank you for continuing to pass along the FCC manufacturer information for the OEM clutch. It has been a hot topic over the years and it helps to still have people spreading the correct info to new members.