need recommendations on new clutch

[that1mexguy]

awesome! you are the 1st person I know that has installed the South Bend clutch. I had been asking for eeeeeever and finally you come along. I called the company and they quoted me cheaper than horsepowerfreaks too so i think i'll be going for their DXD series

[toy4x4boy]

Yea you may want the full DXD series since you are supercharged and stuff, mine is just the DXD pressure plate with a stockish disk. I think the full DXD is a puck like disc? Not sure what they are rated at power handling wise. Do you know? I got mine for $170 plus shipping from horsepower freaks.

[Ian]

FYI - I spoke with TRD about their clutch because I was curious, and contemplating changing my clutch to something less grippy. They said that the disc is stock (OEM), but that the pressure plate was improved to provide more clamping force. So I also asked how much hp/torque the TRD clutch can take, and they said 300 hp at the crank.

Also, as an update - I have the stage 3 clutch from Clutchmasters. In hindsight I should have gone for the stage 2, which is what I had planned originally, but somehow I got the vendor to talk me into a stage 3. I don't need stage 3 grip, I think stage 2 would have been sufficient.

The stage 3 pedal pressure is like stock. But, I hear a slight scraping noise right when I let off the clutch pedal to engage the clutch. It is very slight, but I am a perfectionist when it comes to these things so it is driving me crazy. I also have the Fidanza flywheel, but I don't think that is causing it (plus I like the lightened flywheel too much to remove it).

The only way I can keep it from scraping is to let off the clutch really slow.

If I let off fast, the clutch will catch immediately and that torque gets you moving fast. So it will kind of jerk you, though it is fun.

If I let off normally as I would have with my stock clutch, that's when I get the scraping noise.

Has anyone else had this happen? Maybe I am not driving it right and need to learn. I did the proper breaking in when I got the clutch. Maybe I should do some burn outs just to see what happens.

Oh, has anyone used a Centerforce clutch? I read mixed reviews on the truck sites. It was recommended that I try the centerforce if I change from clutchmasters.

Hate to revive this old thread, but I wanted to post an update which might be helpful to someone. I got rid of the Stage 3 clutch and the Fidanza flywheel. Went back to the stock flywheel and put in a Centerforce 1 clutch. This setup works just fine and is quiet, like stock, but with a little more grip (supposedly 30% more, which is 5% more grip than TRD).

I wish the Clutchmasters stage 3 would have worked out, but I, nor my girl, could deal with the scraping/screeching noise everytime you let off the clutch in 1st gear. It is supposed to be kevlar chatter. Also, the fidanza added performance definitely, but was not comfortable with that clutch. It's good for more performance, but I want a more stock feel with a little better performance as far as being drivable.

Hope this helps someone out in their research.

[hari-bhari]

so how is this clutch holding up after 2 years? my stock just started slipping in 4th when i punch it, and i only have 80k. guess the original owner learned on the car.

anyways i dont have any engine mods besides a CAI, so i just want the most economical solution. do the aftermarket clutches last longer than the OEM, or just provide more grip? if it lasts longer, i would pay more, but if its just grippier i dont really care. how is that south bend rally holding up? and rene did you ever get your clutch replaced, and if so where did you go and how much did you pay?

also about the flywheel, im not really sure what that is. but i gather that if you go aftermarket (lighter), you will improve your HP and not have to resurface in the future? so does that mean that right now when i get my clutch replaced, my flywheel should be resurfaced as well?

[free]

so how is this clutch holding up after 2 years? my stock just started slipping in 4th when i punch it, and i only have 80k. guess the original owner learned on the car.

anyways i dont have any engine mods besides a CAI, so i just want the most economical solution. do the aftermarket clutches last longer than the OEM, or just provide more grip? if it lasts longer, i would pay more, but if its just grippier i dont really care. how is that south bend rally holding up? and rene did you ever get your clutch replaced, and if so where did you go and how much did you pay?

also about the flywheel, im not really sure what that is. but i gather that if you go aftermarket (lighter), you will improve your HP and not have to resurface in the future? so does that mean that right now when i get my clutch replaced, my flywheel should be resurfaced as well?

Free = Ian
The Centerforce 1 is still going strong. It feels like stock in terms of simplicity of use. It grips well too and I have 270+ to the wheels. I've had plenty of fun and no problems with this clutch. Oh, and no noise.

I still have the stock flywheel and would recommend just staying with stock. It makes the car easier to drive. A lighter flywheel changed the clutch action in terms of pressing down on it. Plus, there is better engine braking with the heavier stock flywheel.

[hari-bhari]

how much power do you get out of a lighter flywheel? also how much did the centerforce clutch cost?

[that1mexguy]

well after 3 yrs i want to say the clutch is working fine... i do have an issue that sometimes when going from neutral to 1st it grinds... however, I am not sure if that is due to the clutch, or the tranny. I have 150k miles in the car, and I do believe others have had the same issue so I do not think it's the clutch (someone correct me if I'm wrong, or has a different theory). Other than that, the clutch is still holding up when I need it to.

[free]

how much power do you get out of a lighter flywheel? also how much did the centerforce clutch cost?

flywheel doesn't give horsepower.

I don't remember. Go to their website and research the cost.

[hskrsolara]

how much power do you get out of a lighter flywheel? also how much did the centerforce clutch cost?

flywheel doesn't give horsepower.

I don't remember. Go to their website and research the cost.

correct. it reduces rotational mass, thus providing a more efficient transmission of power to the drive train. In a sense, you are converting a higher % of bhp to whp and losing less in the process.

[Gibson99]

again, digging up an old thread, but...

i have a clutchmasters stage 3 + fidanza on my s/c'd 98 camry. i don't have the scratching/other noises Ian had. I'm actually about to buy a second one, as this one has approx 80k miles or so on it, and it's starting to slip in 4th and 5th, so i need to baby it.

has anyone ever ordered just the friction surface for the fidanza? how much was it, and where'd you order from?