I'm in the process of changing out the clutch in my 03 Evo 8. A Competition stage 3 clutch is going in. My question is, how many of the wavy springs do I install with the new clutch? 2 wavy springs came with the new clutch and there's the 2 that are on the original clutch. I've searched and saw a few people say that you need to put 3 wavy springs on this clutch and 4 for a multi plate clutch, but no definite answers. Then, I've also read a few threads where people have had to put 5 wavy springs in to keep the clip from popping out... Should I install the clutch with the 2 new wavy springs and 1 of the old ones? Or should I put in all 4 (would that be overkill?)? My mechanic friend put 3 on and said that it was a lot stiffer when he tried pushing on it. Thanks.

 

I have 4 wavy spring washers plus a clutch fork stopper and OEM Mitsu TOB with my Competition Stage 3. I recommend this setup for all pull-type aftermarket clutches.

 

Alright, so I went with installing the two wavy springs that came with the new clutch along with the two from the stock clutch. We got everything all buttoned up and tested the clutch. Stepped on the clutch pedal a few times. Everything seemed good and functioned properly, except pedal pressure was lighter than my stock clutch . Seemed weird but brushed it off... We then put the car back on the ground to start it up and test it.

The car started up fine, then tested the clutch pedal 3 more times. Everything seemed to check out ok so far. Then, when i clutched in to put it into gear to try to move the car backwards and forwards, the pedal drops to the floor and stays there. I manually pull the pedal back up with my hand and try to clutch in again, but now the pedal is stuck in the up position. It won't even budge. We take out the intake and a bunch of other stuff to check out the shift fork. The shift fork position is stuck towards the engine side and it's impossible to pull it back the other way. I forgot to mention that I also have the clutch fork stopper installed. any ideas???

 

I'm starting to think that four of the wavy springs was too much and it may have pulled out the cage that holds the springs on the pressure plate fingers. Anyone have this happen to them before? Any way of removing one of the wavy springs without pulling the tranny? Words of advice from the wise gurus?

 

ok. had to pull the tranny off again because the clip holding on the "cage with the wavy springs" on the pressure plate fingers wasn't staying on completely. I guess the four wavy springs was a little overkill. So, I left it at 3 wavy springs and put everything back together. Finally!!!! Everything was working properly. Car drives fine and everything...

Only one question though... Kracka, you have the exact same clutch right? How's pedal pressure for you? Mine is so soft that it's almost lighter than when I had my stock clutch in. Should it be like this? I haven't bled my clutch line yet and the fluid is looking just a little dark. The car drives fine and the new clutch catches great, just that I was a little confused by this since this is Stage 3 clutch and I have the exact same clutch in my 240sx, but the pedal pressure on that one is really stiff... Any input on this?

 

Bleed your clutch line.

 

i think he is running 3 springs now.

 

The Competition pressure plate is only going to be slightly heavier feeling than stock. If your fluid is looking dark definitely flush and bleed the system.

 

just bled my clutch line today, and it feels a little better. only put on 50 miles so far... another 450 miles of granny driving break in to go before the real fun starts. did you have to readjust your clutch fork stopper after you broke in your clutch? The reason I'm asking is because you would think that as you break in the clutch and the thickness of the clutch wears down, the resting position of the fork would move closer to the slave cylinder, is that right?