About 1 week ago I asked if anyone had experience w/ the stage 1 clutch made by Exedy. I recieved limited, but helpful feedback on this clutch. I decided to go with it anyway after speaking with AMS.

The Exedy clutch is aligned w/ the ACT in terms of performance. ACT is a little bit pricier. It comes down to preference. AMS in Illinois installed the parts. Excellent shop by the way. Thank you CHRIS!!!

AMS installed the following parts during the clutch install:

Exedy Stage 1 clutch
ACT streetlite flywheel
SS clutch line
Clutch restrictor removed

Initial Impressions:

As soon as I got into the car for the first time after the install I noticed it did require a greater pedal pressure -as i expected. It is not bad at all. I actually prefer it to the stock pedal feel. As I was leaving AMS I noticed the clutch is a little "touchier"-I believe this is due to the restrictor removal. This just takes time to get used to.

ACT Streetlite Flywheel

The flywheel does not affect driveablility negatively whatsoever. It makes marginal difference at best as far as performance gains. I believe the ACT flywheel is only 2 lbs. lighter than stock. According to ACT it will put up with heat much better than the stock flywheel. I am glad it was installed -as every bit helps.

EXEDY STAGE 1 CLUTCH

I am still in the break in period for the clutch and I have yet to get "all up on it", but I will let you know when I do. I do not expect any problems with shifting. So far I love it.

Restrictor Removal

If you are planning to drive your car like a human being, you will love this modification. I would not recommend this mod if you enjoy 8000 rpm clutch drops and do not know how to rebuild transmission/transfer cases. I personally like the restrictor removed. It's your call.

AMS Service and Customer Care

Excellent! That's why they're the best. --What did you expect? Thanks again Chris!

So far-I absolutely love this combination. I really think it is perfect for a streetable EVO. It can hold more than stock, yet as far as I can tell no ill effects.


Feel free to email or pm w/ any questions.

Mike

 

I was the tech that installed Mikes clutch. I agree with him completly, I really like this Exedy setup better than any other stock style pressure plate clutch setup I've come across yet. The pedal feel is nice and firm, engagement action is quick and precise. I don't know how high rpm disk release is of course, because the clutch was new and I just plain wouldn't try that in someones car, we'll let Mike chime in here in a few weeks.

Mike, I actually measured the ACT flywheel vs. stock. It was only .6 lbs lighter, so the weight and noticable difference is going to be almost nill. I'm not 100% positive but the factory Evo flywheel appears to be chrome moly too, or some sort of non cast iron metal. The real big advantages to the ACT are SFI approval, and much more beef behind the surface area, where the stock one is real thin and heat spots show all the way thru to the backside of it. Perhaps thats why the ACT isnt much lighter, because of the extra metal it has to dissipate heat.

Overall, I really liked the way the car drove on the test drive. Happy hunting Mike!

e²

 

According to our scale our Streetlite flywheel is just over a pound lighter compared to the new Mitsu flywheel we have. I am sure they vary a bit. The EVO is unusual because the stock flywheel is very light and thin. We take a considerable amount of weight off the outside and then put a bunch back again farther toward the center (behind the disc) for better heat dissapation as you said. It is just over 50% thicker behind the disc as a matter of fact. Keep in mind that we offer a Prolite version that is 4 pounds lighter than stock and still 17% thicker behind the disc. BTW: You are right that the stock flywheel is either forged or at least ductile iron, either one is great and proven safe. The problem is that instead of breaking when abused, the stronger materials warp instead. On the other hand I would much rather warp a flwyheel than have it explode in my face! See this SRT thread: http://www.srtforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=184381

 

I've witnessed a flywheel explosion first hand, in a fwd 1g DSM at the top of 2nd gear. Lets just say it took a hell of a driver to NOT wrecked the hell out of the car. Not to mention a miracle the damn thing didn't catch on fire. It took alot of work to rebuild that car, it was basicly totalled.

 

ACTman...sent u a PM please check it out..thanks

 

I finally passed the 500 break in miles required for this clutch. I was actually told 300 city miles, but I wanted to be safe. I really am pleased with this set up. I feel so much more "connected" to the car. What I mean by this is w/ the restrictor removal the clutch acts instantly. No more laggy feel to the reaction of the clutch. I am so pleased with the parts and AMS service.

If you are looking for a high quality upgrade to your stock clutch BUY the EXEDY STAGE 1. The clutch is a joy to drive in the city, yet can take more than the stock clutch. No lock out problems. Smooth action.

If you are looking for a shop that knows EVO's inside and out to install your clutch and you live anywhere near Chicago use AMS. You can drop off your car and not have to worry about a phone call saying they have a problem. I drove 100miles to have my clutch installed there. I have 2 Mitsubishi dealers w/in 10 miles of me. I trust AMS more than I trust MITSU SERVICE!

I will update this thread on occaision to let everyone know how the clutch wears. As you can see from my signature I am not modded very much, but I will keep adding parts and hopefully the clutch can take everything I throw at it.

-MIKE

 

It's been 2 months since the install of the Exedy clutch and I must say it is fantastic. Very easy to drive clutch. You definately know the pedal is there now, but it's not too stiff. I have NO problems w/ shifting at any rpm whatsoever. I am so glad I listened to AMS and went w/ this clutch!

 

One thing I would like to add- If I could do it all over again I would have went w/ the lighter ACT flywheel instead of the streetlite I went with. AMS weighed the stocker and the ACT flywheel and it was only 1/2 lb. lighter than stock. I am a bit disappointed at this because I was told by ACT the difference was more like 2 lbs. Kind of misleading.

 

great review i'm having this clutch installed by ams next week

 

You won't be disappointed w/ the clutch or AMS's service. Both are top notch.

 

was your stock flywheel weighed or a new stock flywheel?

 

Thanks for the review! I was just shopping/researching different clutch setups. My friend told me about the Exedy Stage 1.. and with the price savings between the ACT I could pick up an ACT flywheel as well. I'll be ordering a Exedy Stg 1 w/ maybe the ACT Prolite. That should hold me up until I get major mods.

 

There usually isn't that much difference in price, usually within a hundred bucks. ACT flywheels are more than $100. Although similar, there are some definite differences between the Exedy Stage 1 and the ACT Street. The ACT HDSS is more suited for higher hp cars (more clamp load, more aggressive material) and has a longer working range compared to the Exedy Stage 1, but the Exedy is probably a bit more tame as far as driveability/pedal effort and better suited to mildly modified cars (smoother engagement, no chatter). I am wondering if you are talking about the same clutch. Make sure you get the right one, not a stock Exedy posed as a performance clutch.

 

dsm mikey, thanks for the review. Have you taken your car to the dragstrip with your new clutch set up? Also have you shifted at 7000 - 7500 RPM smoothly with no lock out issues? I am very interested in your clutch combo. The high RPM lock out issues on my Centerforce clutch/flywheel combo is just getting unbearable. I can't swing a Exedy dual plate set up at the moment and your set up seems more affordable.

 

Bump for some updates!