need recommendations on new clutch

[methyl mike]

Well, it will cost around $75-100 to resurface, or you can buy a fidanza on ebay right now for around $325. I thought you were low on cash?

Yeah i am low on cash, but damn two shops so far have quoted me over 650 in labor, and then another 225 for the clutch! Who said 350 for labor here? ANybody got any recommendations on where to go? Id rather not pay 850 guys, anybody???

[Ian]

Just for comparison's sake, I had my stage 3 clutch and fidanza flywheel installed for $400.

I wonder what it will cost to install the limited slip differential. Anybody have any idea?

[methyl mike]

ok i got quoted 600 for an oem spec clutch, re-surfacing the flywheel and all labor from AAMCO. Anybody know if this is a good deal or whatever?

[that1mexguy]

Well depends man, not sure how much labor costs over there but here in ATL i am quoted betwen 5-7 hrs at $65-$75 an hr (depending on the shop).

[hskrsolara]

^^Same prices as in Nebraska.

[toy4x4boy]

I'm going to be paying $410 for flywheel resurface and clutch install. I am providing the clutch, throwout bearing, and pilot bearing which cost me about $190 so about $600 for a new setup which includes upgraded clutch from stock (South Bend Rally series clutch).

Horespowerfreaks didn't send me the pilot bearing so I have to push my install back to at least Thursday till they get it to me.

I did receive the clutch from them and this is what you get. You get a South Bend DXD series pressure plate, an Exedy clutch disc, a throwout bearing, clutch alignment tool and (supposedly) a pilot bearing. Bearings are made in Japan so they should be good quality. The Exedy disc is similar to stock but the pressure plate is stronger so it will hold up to more power.

Will let everyone know my impressions late next week (I hope).

[that1mexguy]

Sweet, cant wait to see the results

[methyl mike]

Sweet! Ill wait as well, im thinking of getting the fidanza flywheel and some kind of aftermarket clutch, if im going to be spending more than 500 bucks i might as well spend a little extra and get a nice setup. Does the south bend clutch provide more grip and handle more power than OEM?

[toy4x4boy]

The South Bend clutch I got is supposed to be one step up from stock - stock-like clutch disc with a heavier duty pressure plate. There is another South Bend clutch kit that uses a different disc but I thougt it to be overkill for my application.

Oh and FYI, our cars don't use a pilot bearing, so that's why Horsepower Freaks didn't send me one. I will have the car back from the shop tomorrow.

[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.

[toy4x4boy]

Clutch is in. I like! Clutch pedal is actually MUCH lighter than before! Engagement is a little quicker than stock, feels great. What is the proper way to break in a new clutch?

[Ian]

It should have come with instructions on how to break it in. The manufacturer's recommendation for my stage 3 clutch, and I'm sure this applies to every other clutch, it to engage in normal every day driving for 450-500 miles. That took about 2 weeks for me.

So, no dropping the clutch at 4,000rpms.

[methyl mike]

Clutch is in. I like! Clutch pedal is actually MUCH lighter than before! Engagement is a little quicker than stock, feels great. What is the proper way to break in a new clutch?

Sweet! Now this is the south bend clutch right? Is your car any faster, or engaging any better, that you can tell?

[toy4x4boy]

Clutch is in. I like! Clutch pedal is actually MUCH lighter than before! Engagement is a little quicker than stock, feels great. What is the proper way to break in a new clutch?

Sweet! Now this is the south bend clutch right? Is your car any faster, or engaging any better, that you can tell?

Yes this is the South Bend Rally series clutch. Faster? Don't know about that but it definately engages quicker. Haven't pushed the car hard yet but I used to get slippage between first and second if I revved it high and shifted quick, haven't tried that with this setup yet, but I bet it would grab pretty much instantly and chirp the tires. Once I get it broken in past 500 or so miles I will run it a little harder and report back. But I definatley recommend this clutch, feels great.

[methyl mike]

Sweet.