I was just recently told by my local mitsu dealer that aftermarket, as in 'performance' clutches wear alot faster than stock oem clutches. I have no idea what he was basing this on. Maybe the fact that people that have performance clutches, usually use them because they race or are hard on their clutches. Anyway, my clutch is slipping. I have the means to buy some exedy, or act parts now. Would it be better to go that way, or just stick with buying the oem parts? Im a total nube on clutches, and on evos, haha. (If you havent already noticed)

Jason

 

Totally makes no sense. Buy the Exedy Twin disc. It will blow away the stock unit by a ton. The dealer is trying to sell you a crappy over priced stock part.

 

Hmm. Really depends on how you drive it. Stock clutches suck azz (10-20k miles) if you beat on the car (like it was meant to be)

Most last less than 30k miles. I've seen people as high as 80k though, completely babying the car with ZERO launches.

My Exedy twin lasted 30k miles, beating the snot out of the car every weekend... expensive to rebuild though- ended up spending 900 to rebuild mine..

 

the whole goal of aftermarket is to out perform stock. in the event that an OEM lasts longer than an exedy twin disk driving the same style, i owe you a coke.

 

For twin disc for a clutch, exceedy seems to be the top choice in the forums.
I've had a quartermaster twin for only 4K miles, so not sure how well for wear I am.
I got a fair 50K miles off a SECOND factory clutch, but its a lot of money that could be spent on something beter. You may not even have HP goals to warrant a twin disc, and a single exceedy would be all you need?
You have an awesome car, and you know good and well it won't have a hint of a warranty for an 03, so have fun!

 

Yeah, upgrade to the twin disc if you have the need for it in the hp/tq numbers. If you only want to stay single disc than go shopping around for an exedy single, dont buy it from a dealer it is their profession to over charge you. I chose the exedy twin, noise is gone after 500 miles, pedal feels like stock and it grips like no other. As for the fact that aftermarket clutches wear faster, thats not necessarily true, people with aftermarket performance clutches probably are using them harder than just driving around, so yes, they will wear down a little more, but they are made to withstand that beating (within reason). The stock clutch isn't supported to handle increased hp/tq, it is supposed to go to protect the rest of the drivetrain components, so thats why when people start to get serious with modding they **** the bed..

 

Thanks for the comments guys... Ya, i figured the dealership really wants me to spend my money there. Heres the whole deal, then you'll understand why they kinda have me bent over the barrell, so to speak...

I bought the car less than a month ago. There was a problem with the syncros shifting into 5th gear. They said they can fix it, included in the asking price. But... the salesman took me aside and told me that if i bought this extended warranty, they would take it apart, and REALLY fix the problem, not just band aid it. This is because they can charge all the labor to the warranty instead of their own pocket. So i bought it. Im now waiting to get the tranny looked at, since then ive had a problem shifting it into 2nd gear now. The salesman told me that was 'great', the more problems, the more likely it is that they will replace the tranny with a new one, and not just fix it. You guys with me soo far...?

The first day i drove it, i asked if they clutch had been tightened since it hit the dealership. I was told it was not touched at all, but i thought it felt tight. Now less than a month later, its slipping terribly bad. So now i have the option of buying the oem clutch pieces from them, and when they are in the process of working on the tranny (under warranty) they can slip the new clutch in, charging most of the labor to the tranny job. So now... if i buy an exedy or act clutch, they may decide they dont want to do me the favor and change it while the tranny is out. I dont know, they may. But i really want them to replace the whole clutch and tranny under warranty or out of their own pockets. Considering i asked when i purchased the car less than a month ago, if the clutch was ok. Now its not.... phewww.

Im done writing my book now. Basically i just wanted to rant about that, ill talk to the dealer tomorrow and get their stand in the issue and keep you guys posted.

Jason

 

If you have little to no mods and funds are tight, just have em do a factory clutch. You should be able to get 20-30 miles out of it with little mods and a less aggressive driving style. I got 34,000 outta mine. That was minimal launching and no power shifting. Sounds like you bought a car with some problems. The most important thing right now is to make sure the car is in good working order...

 

ok the whole thing that brother me about this is what you did. How do you buy a car with known issues did not even fight to have them fix it for FREE. thats what warranty is hommie something breaks they cover it. not we do the work you pay for everything. Then you sign up for a extented plan that worthless and still have to pay. sounds like you got taken for a magic carpet ride. Anytime your dealing for a car you should have it inspected fully then on top if that any issues the dealer should fix free of charge if not move on and walk. sounds like you wanted a evo so bad you just overlook everything no telling what else could be broke on that evo. Goodluck and fight to get it fix free thats what a warranty is for and what you paid the extra cost for

 

What the dealer is saying is true - if at stock horse power. Careful drivers have gotten 100K out of the stock clutch.

Few people remain at stock horse power and most owners tend to abuse the clutch. Then you need an aftermarket clutch. And these get used pretty hard too. So, they never last 100K.

It would be interesting to stick a Exedy twin in a stock car with a careful driver to see how long it lasts. I suggest this test will never happen.

 

why is everyone on the twin disk wagaon...yes its a great clutch but... for daily driving i dont know...dont make this guy get something that is going to be difficult for him to drive everyday. if your going to get a single disk clutch which i would recommend.... is.. the act 6 puck sprung... not harsh to drive.. and it will hold a lot more power.

just my opinion

 

^It's not just any twin that people recommend, it's the Exedy in particular. Have you ever dd on it? I do and many of my buddies do. There is a reason it is the most popular replacement for the stocker. Pedal feels like stock, you can feather and slip it all day long, and it will hold gobs of power. I know very few people that don't mod their evo to make more power. I think if you are gonna have to replace a clutch, then do it once with a quality piece that will last and hold up to power mods. Just MHO. And I had the ACT on my last evo. A good part for sure, but it's no Exedy twin...

 

yeah I forgot to add, quality aside, its a bit harder to drive if you get the exedy, so thats something to keep in mind.

 

The OEM is an organic clutch material. If you want a clutch to last longer than OEM get one made from Kevlar with a slightly heavier pressure plate than stock. Spec and Competition Clutch both make reasonably priced kevlar single disk clutch kits. Spec has one that's kevlar/carbon composite.

I'd be willing to bet a kevlar disc with a heavier than stock pressure plate would get more miles than stock out of an identical driving style in the same car.

6 pucks are great for sheer grip and hp holding, but they don't last. They're made for racing not high mileage.

 

All I can say is be a dick to them. Tell them your going to buy a clutch and you want them to put it in at no charge. They should have inspected the car to make sure there were no problems but instead they sell you a car more then likely knowing the problems then they make MORE money off of you by getting you to buy an extended POS warranty. Just be a straight up a**hole to them.

Which is why I never go to the stealership for repairs.

Go exedy twin, not act 6.

I had the act 6 and after about 5 miles i pulled the tranny off and the pads on the pucks were already showing wear. Chunks were missing. This wasn't even hard driving either. Only saw the track once(I pass, no even a pass. Spun the whole way)..