I have a 04 evo 8.

I think its about that time for me to change the clutch in my evo. I only have about 12k on it but i have been auto xing it and took it to the track. I wanted to know what people recommended for a clutch. I have about 400whp and will prob look for more. The problem is i had knee surgery and i drove my friends evo and the pedal was so still it hurt my knee. iam not sure what clutch he has or evan if it was installed correctly. I tried searching but could not find anything about that.

What clutch should i get? is there a kit that i should look into?
should i get a flywheel?
anything else?

thanks
stephen

 

Stay away from ACT. I got the XD clutch kit and it's just a nightmare right now for my car. I had for 8k miles and when the clutch disc started to get worn I started getting some 4th gear grinds. I have a 06' MR and it was perfectly fine with the stock clutch. If you can stick with stock, can't go wrong with that. On the other hand, Exedy and Cusco twin plates are pretty good. The pedal stiffness is just about how the stock clutch feels, it won't be any much stiffer. To me it wasn't even noticeable but to each their own i suppose.

 

It's recommended to get a new flywheel... but I didn't. I had the stock one resurfaced when I upgraded to the ACT street kit @ 21,000 miles.
A lot of people, like me, prefer a balance between performance and comfort. The ACT kit is very 'grabby' and feels solid. Clutch pedal travel feel is a little more 'direct' for me as I changed my throttle cable to stainless steel.
Budget was important too. I don't plan on going anywhere above 400whp any time soon, so the kit I opted for was perfect. Turbotrix did the whole thing for 1,300 (parts & labor).
If you're finding yourself on long stretches of highway driving, I think people would agree that the weight and size of the stock flywheel would be fine. I believe that track days, where accel. response times are important, would benefit from a lighter flywheel.

that's my 2cents.

 

Well its not advertised by ACT, but the actual spring that's in the pressure plate doesn't exactly work. The problem with the ACT is that when the disc starts to wear down the clutch (even if you adjust the rod) will not fully disengage properly. This is why ACT clutches are nicknamed "tranny killers". Had someone informed me of this problem before I bought my POS clutch kit, then I would have just stuck with stock or went for the Cusco twin plate.

I don't even think the ACT can be called a budget clutch because if you thrash your car, you'll be paying more than just a new clutch disc in the end. I have to get my tranny inspected at a local shop to see what exactly is going wrong. However, from what i can feel when shifting ( i even had my foot to the floor on the clutch pedal) into 4th regardless it was from 3rd or 5th it will grind slightly. The only way it wouldn't grind was if it was a slow slow shift. I do think it's my 4th gear synchro going on me due to the improper disengagement from the clutch.

 

The Exedy Twin HD is a good choice I dont notice any difference from stock at all so your knee should be fine, it will definately hold the power you are putting down as well. No need to purchase a seperate flywheel either, it comes as one complete unit.

 

With the Exedy you will need to purchase a new TOB.

 

ok so it sounds like act is junk!

with that said dose everyone go exedy?

 

Yup forgot about that for a second.

It really is about personal preference, some say Exedy, some say ACT. Some swear ACT F@#$ed their car up, others say that they run mint. It seems like there are alot more problems with ACT due to installations being poor VS. Exedy.

IMO I choose Exedy since they made the stock clutch for the Evo. But ultimately it is your call. I choose Exedy and the next guy will probably say ACT.... Also there is a difference in Pricing as well so that kind of makes up some peoples mind about which one to go with.

Hope this helps

 

But, it's a fact that the design int eh ACT is not up to par with Exedy or Cusco. I thought that ACT was a good clutch and I had no idea what people were talking about when they say it killed their tranny. I was wrong. Even after adjusting the rod for the clutch pedal it still failed to disengage properly. I learned my lesson about going cheap, it'll cost you more in the long run.

If anyone says that their ACT is running fine please ask them if the clutch disc itself is grabby as **** or worn.

 

+1 to that, IMO if you have the $ to get the Exedy then buy it. If not then SAVE and then buy it. You will save yourself a tremendous amount of $$$ in the long run not having to have a rebuild done. Just do a little bit more research on the two clutches (there is probably like a gazillion links on this site comparing the two, horror stories etc....) and then make your own decision.

 

If you trust me enough, which i don't think you will... lol I say go for the Cusco twin disk, it's got everything the Exedy has and more. The Cusco comes with a disk leveler system so it allows the wear to be even on both disks so you won't need to rebuild them so often, also the complete rebuild kit is $600 vs. i think $700+ for the Exedy. Both are made by the same company too, Daiken Clutches I believe (they made the stock evo cluthes as well).

Best part about these cluthes is, they work even when your friction plate is worn just a bit!

 

ok so it looks like most of that people's vote are the exedy? what one hd? do they have a whole kit?
where are people buying them from?

 

If u get Exedy go for the HD, but I think Cusco is better since they have the disk leveler system and the rebuild kits cost less. But it is your call.

The Exedy will come with flywheel in the kit, you just need to purchase a new TOB.

 

I know Adam over at Z1auto.com can give you a good deal on the Cusco clutch kits, also Phil from 201motorsports can hook you up with the Exedy just mention that Tim sent you and he'll take care of you.

 

Yes the HD for the power you are putting down. It is complete with the new flywheel, all you need to do is buy a new TOB and get it installed (properly by someone reputable is key dont skimp on aving $ on the install go to someone who has done a bunch of them if possible) and then keep an eye on the engagement (pedal engagement adjustment to make sure it properly disengages once it starts to break in) of it which you can also search about on the site.

I bought mine from http://www.speedelement.com/ at a good price. Very fast shipping from Cali to FL I was impressed with them.