Clutch Replacement

[PeteGLH]

Hi guys,

First things first, I'm in need of a clutch for the Solara. Right now, the car has 120k miles.

My plans for the car is to eventually boost. Being a boosthead (having previously owned 4 turbocharged Dodges) I know I won't keep the boost at 4psi... but I cannot see myself dumping in all the work to make-it a sub 13 sec car.

I've been hearing some praise for the ACT Kit, but I'm wondering if it isn't a little overkill for my modest upgrades. I mean, I'm sure it's a wonderful kit, but 550$ seems a little steep for my needs. ACT claims the kit is good for 380 ft lbs of torque. That's a crazy amount!!! I haven't seen many guys on here with that amount of power.

This burst my bubble a bit on that kit, which I must say, had my attention. I then looked around to the Centerforce I kit. 200 to 250$ less, but it is still worth it?

They claim it to be a better than replacement clutch, good on use with minor bolt-on modifications. My fear is that it is just as good as a stock OE replacement unit and I'm dishing out $$ for the Centerforce brand.

I am so really torn right now, we are all tight for cash, but i just can't imagine replacing with stock, and I don't want to throw out extra $$ for a brand and 550$ for the ACT Kit is pretty steep.

Any feedback?

[akora12]

My advice is to save up and bite the bullet on a good clutch now. It would be much cheaper to buy a kit capable of handling your projected power than replacing the clutch twice. There are many full-face kits (i.e. ACT, Clutch Masters 1-3) that will drive similar to stock and last...even longer than the stocker. Several of us have burned out clutches at 4+ psi.

[RON]

Hi guys,

First things first, I'm in need of a clutch for the Solara. Right now, the car has 120k miles.

My plans for the car is to eventually boost. Being a boosthead (having previously owned 4 turbocharged Dodges) I know I won't keep the boost at 4psi... but I cannot see myself dumping in all the work to make-it a sub 13 sec car.

I've been hearing some praise for the ACT Kit, but I'm wondering if it isn't a little overkill for my modest upgrades. I mean, I'm sure it's a wonderful kit, but 550$ seems a little steep for my needs. ACT claims the kit is good for 380 ft lbs of torque. That's a crazy amount!!! I haven't seen many guys on here with that amount of power.

This burst my bubble a bit on that kit, which I must say, had my attention. I then looked around to the Centerforce I kit. 200 to 250$ less, but it is still worth it?

They claim it to be a better than replacement clutch, good on use with minor bolt-on modifications. My fear is that it is just as good as a stock OE replacement unit and I'm dishing out $$ for the Centerforce brand.

I am so really torn right now, we are all tight for cash, but i just can't imagine replacing with stock, and I don't want to throw out extra $$ for a brand and 550$ for the ACT Kit is pretty steep.

Any feedback?

You get what you pay for. Look at it this way...you're going to have the upgraded clutch in your car for least 80K miles if you treat it right. I've had my Clutchmasters stage 2 (full face Kevlar, not segmented) in for 60K miles with 5.5lbs boost the entire time. I baby my clutch and it will last over 100K mi. If you plan on boosting the car, you better a get a GOOD clutch. ACT, Clutchmasters and Exedy are all good set ups. Centerforce?????? Might want to pass on that.

[PeteGLH]

Thanks for the input,

Unfortuneately, Exedy only makes the OEM replacement clutch kit, and Clutchmasters don't offer anything for the Solara (Unless the 3S-GTE clutch kits fit our application).

I'm all about getting a good kit, and I am fully aware that you get what you pay for and that the clutch is a crucial part of any boosted setup. I'm trying to make a nice intelligent choice (with budget in mind) that I won't regret later on down the road.

That being said, I've heard some other stuff from the SPEC 2 and SPEC 2+ clutch kit from a user on here as well (trying to find that thread, I believe the guy has an FJ Cruiser in his avatar from what I recall). I don't know much about SPEC but they seems to have a lot of stuff goin' on for lots of boosted factory vehicles (Genesis, SRT-4 and Cobalts). Price seems better than the ACT Kits and I think they have the product that fits in between the OEM replacement /stage 1 kits and the ACT Kit which seems to be overkill for me!

Any praise for the SPEC 2 / 2+ / ACT Kits from users around here?

[akora12]

The Clutch Masters kits for the solara are listed under the 92-95 MR2 turbo. The clutch is the same, but the flywheel is different. I've had both the stage 2 and 3 from CM. I highly recommend.

[RON]

The Clutch Masters kits for the solara are listed under the 92-95 MR2 turbo. The clutch is the same, but the flywheel is different. I've had both the stage 2 and 3 from CM. I highly recommend.

Exactly..forgot to mention that. I don't know WHY they never listed the Camry/ Solara? I used the MR2 Turbo set up which has the same clutch.
As far as Spec Clutch...yes, there has been good feedback here, but I'm not familiar with it. If you're not going to BOOST, then a good afermarket set up like the Spec or *basic* Clutchmaster will work fine. At a minimum, you want a heavy duty DISC. My take is you have to *go in there* anyway and the LABOR is significant (unless DIY) so why not spend another $200 for the upgraded PP as well?

[PeteGLH]

I had never considered just changing the clutch. With the amount of work that I will to put into this I figured I would change PP and Clutch.

Are there many guys just running an upgraded clutch on stock PP?? Seems to me that wouldn't give good results?

Concern just popped up though, since the flywheels are different, will the MR2 pressure plates bolt-up to the Solara Flywheel?? The Exedy Stage 2 Kit sells the same partno. (16953A) for the 1MZ-FE and the 3S-GTE. So I'm assuming this applies to the Clutchmasters Kit too?

Man!

[akora12]

Any 92-95 MR2 turbo clutch will work four our application, aside from multi-plate clutches that include the flywheel. The camry/solara flywheel has a different bolt pattern to the engine, which is why we can't use the MR2 one.

If you plan to increase your power output, you'll need a upgraded PP. In fact, I've know a few celica guys who run stock discs with an upgraded PP with decent results. Most stage 1+ kits will have a high-pressure PP. Clutch Masters uses the same PP for their stage 1-4 kits, and even the stage 5 in some applications.

[PeteGLH]

Thanks Akora,

So I'll have some debating to do right now I guess.

Clutchmasters Stage 2
Spec 2+
Exedy Stage 2 Cerametallic Series
ACT Kit Heavy Duty PP with modified Street Disc.

[Gibson99]

fyi pete - another vote for the clutchmasters. i just put in my second clutchmasters stage 3 segmented kevlar. $450 stings, but it's worth it when it grabs! first one lasted about 80k miles, included several track days (lapping sessions), plenty of drag racing, some autocross, and of course daily driving. it's streetable enough that my wife (who is still a relative rookie at driving stick) has no trouble.

btw - my car is making almost 300 hp at the wheels and last time it was at the strip, it pulled mid 13s. wasn't with me driving, but the car is capable of it. 7.5 psi and all requisite upgrades to support that.

[PeteGLH]

Thanks for all the info guys,

This greatly helps with making the actual leap. Your input was greatly appreciated and I'll let you guys know what my ultimate choice has been.

Christmas present from me to me to my car