Originally Posted by MikeB@FFTEC

This write up follows the photos of the clutch inspection pictured on a different forum as seen here.
http://evoempire.org/topic/11033-fft...ost__p__191786

I hope I'm not stepping on any toes posting a link to a different forum.

Read and enjoy!

I purchased my 2003 Evo 8 in November of 2009 used with some aftermarket upgrades. The car had 54,000 miles at the time and of the parts installed, a Carbonetic twin plate clutch was also included. The clutch had been in the car for around 15,000 miles at the time. I was fairly skeptical about the clutch as most of my experience at that time was with Exedy twins, HKS GD max, ACT, as well as a few others. My initial impressions of the clutch were that it’s extremely smooth and predictable. When I say smooth, I mean smooth as silk, smoother than a fresh shave. Driving in traffic is no more difficult than with the ACT HDSS full face clutch kit, and during spirited driving, or launching the car it holds like a pissed off gorilla. I’ve driven the car on countless occasions to my favorite backroads and the clutch has help up solidly for the time I’ve owned the car. Let’s fast forward to a month ago.
I have recently started to have some issues with the clutch, so like most Evo owners, I trolled the forums for answers. Surprisingly, there was very little information on the web about this clutch that differ from my own initial impressions, and rebuilding this clutch seemed to be a bit of smoke and mirrors. I began to fear for the worst, as I didn’t see any other alternative. I felt that the entire clutch would need to be rebuild as that is standard procedure for multi-plate clutches. Many forums only spoke of the cost of the carbon plates and intermediate plates which comparatively cost much more than other twin plate clutches that are available. It seemed that this information has swayed many people into purchasing an Exedy clutch, or something offered by a different manufacturer as those parts are more readily available.
We finally had enough free time to remove the clutch and transmission and I had some very interesting things for me in store. As we took off the clutch cover, and pressure plate, we found not one, not two, but three carbon plates hiding inside! Talk about a freebie. I had never driven a triple plate clutch that drove this nice before. I was extremely surprised, and now, even more in awe of how great this clutch really is. Ok, so on to the scary bits. The black magic, smoke and mirrors, the magicians secret will finally be revealed. The rebuild…Carbonetic provides a DIY inspection form for their clutches so you know what parts to replace, and which parts can be re-used. Pretty handy actually. You can also opt for their inspection and rebuild service for a small fee. We started with the obvious, the clutch release bearing sleeve was broken, and this really gummed up the release bearing, so those need to go in the trash and new parts are going to be sent over from Carbonetic. The pressure plate also showed some wear, and would need to be replaced. The clutch discs themselves should be measured for wear and runout. Brand new the clutch discs are 3.9mm thick, and the minimum re-usable clearance is 2.5mm. I figured as long as they were re-usable, I’d be happy as I was again expecting the worst. Each disc measured out to 3.8mm. 3.8!!! Really!? I grabbed another set of calipers just to be safe, and the measurements were correct. Again, enter shock and awe. I’ve pretty much beaten up the car since I purchased it and the clutch discs have barely worn. This is the opposite of what I’ve seen on every clutch we’ve rebuilt or pulled out of a car over the last few years, and I am pretty impressed. All in all the only parts I’m replacing are the relase bearing, clutch cover bolts, pressure plate, and adding a shim kit. I believe that this in itself should justify the cost difference of this clutch vs. others that are out there, and I hope this clears up the confusion on these clutches.

Cliff’s notes

Carbonetic clutch in car
Clutch needs some love
Pull clutch apart
Find bonus clutch disc
Clutch discs are good, replace other small parts
Re install clutch
Go enjoy car again

Originally Posted by KGB_KGB

Hi,
Can you share where i can buy the rebuilt kit,

Thanks

Originally Posted by 510Finn

I read Carbonetic is no longer in business and that you will need to get the replacement parts from ATS/Across.

carbonetic.net is no longer functioning.

Here's some news about Carbonetic Europe - http://carbonetic.wordpress.com/

Good Luck.