I'm sure you're all thinking, "Ugh, another one of these threads!"
Because of that, I'll add a short version for those with low attention spans.

Alright here's the deal: I killed my stock clutch, and I need a replacement.

Short version:
I need a new clutch for my stock Evo, and I can't decide which.
I don't drive like a demon, nor like a grandma.
The three clutches I'm looking at are:
Cusco Twin-Disk Clutch
HKS GD Max Clutch (Twin Plate)
Exedy Hyper Twin-Plate Clutch
All constructive opinions are appreciated.

Longer version:
I've been told to get a Cusco twin-disk by a fellow evo driver, but after reading about experiences people (and their friends) had with it, I'm wondering how good it really is. I'm trying to decide between the clutches listed above. I don't launch too hard (about 4500-5000rpm), or often. I've never completely just dumped the clutch either, I try to be careful about that since I know it's hard on the car. I don't race much, and when I do, I still take it easy (short shift at about 5500 usually). I haven't even really pushed my Evo to the limit yet, which greatly annoys some of my friends. As of now, my Evo is stock; however, I plan to get a downpipe/exhaust (HKS) upgrade soon, and possibly a few other parts.

Oh and I took my car to Mitsu to see if it was still covered under warranty, since my car barely has 5000 miles, and I was told that the clutch is considered a "ware" part and therefore not covered even though I have some extended uber-warranty I pay Mitsu extra for. They want to charge me $500 to rip out the clutch and look at it, $1100 to rip it out and put it back in, or $2100 to replace it (parts and labor). So rather than $2100 for a stock POS, I'd rather just go buy a good racing clutch and get a friend (who's a mechanic, of course!) to install it for me.

With all of this in mind, which clutch would an experienced evo driver recommend? Any good suggestions (with reasons, preferably) are greatly appreciated. TIA.

 

What? $2100 for OEM is a crime. I hate Mitsubishi dealerships, I really do. Let me guess, Courtesy? F'em. I may go with an ACT when mine goes. I don't think I need a twin disk set up. I don't drag my car, so no need for it.

 

Your wear items are covered by a 12,000 mile factory warranty. Tell the stealership to read the f'in warranty book.

 

Yeah, but Mitsu said the clutch is not covered anymore, regardless. Only if there is a catastrophic mechanical failure on the stock internals not caused by abuse, you will have to pay. I heard the first few months the Evo was released, they replaced clutches, then that stopped.

 

wear items dont have any warrenty! thats why they are called wear items...

tires, the clutch, brake pads, etc are all wear items..
BUDLoNG

 

budlong: There is a warranty on this particular wear item and fortunately for us, since Mitsubishi did not notify us in writing, that warranty is still in effect. I'd say go down to the dealer and make a solid case and escalate it to the district manager level if need be. Warranties cannot in this country be revoked in whole or in part without written notification.

 

Thanks for pointing that out Czubaka. I went digging through my contracts, papers, and manuals. I found that in the "Warranty and Maintenance Manual" it states:

I suppose it would be covered since I didn't abuse it (not wear and tear, right?), and stock Evo clutches seem to be obvious pieces of junk in the first place. But I'm still concerned that they will get me on the installation part of it. They might still charge me that $1100 to take it out, look at it, and put everything back together. I just have a bad feeling that they're gonna find some BS angle to work so they can get some money out of me.

And yeah, SinCityEvo, it's Courtesy. I had the mindset of "Hey, this dealership is newer, they MUST be better," and boy was I wrong. To anyone in Vegas, avoid "Courtesy Imports" dealers as though your life depends on it! I hope other Mitsu dealers around the country don't treat their customers like we all have stacks of money to throw at them upon request. (uh oh, here comes the hijack )

 

Sorry to say all 3 Mitsu dealers in the Vegas area are all the same owners, Courtesy Imports.

I am willing to drive 4 hours to Huntington Beach Mitsu where I've heard you get top notch service that is mod friendly. So Cal rocks. For clutch install locally, Trev Tec has done a few Evos and quoted me $500 for install and bring him my clutch of choice. Also, LDL speed shop I heard is good.

Hey after you get your car back, come down to the In-N-Out on Sahara near the 15 on Thursday nights at 8. Subi/Evo meet.

 

Question - why only considering twin disks ???
Is your HP at a level that demands it ???
Unless you are over 325-530 WHP, the single disk cousins of all those listed are more than enough,
and at considerably less money.
I am told that the twin disks are quite a jump for street use.

Many venders on here have the Exedy for around $840 with the flywheel, and it's supposed to be good
for up to 400 FPs.

I have been looking into this myself lately.

 

Damn Courtesy and their evil plots to take over all Evo sells in vegas!

But yeah, I love SoCal. I was planning to move there with my parents this summer, but it didn't really work out. I agree that it'd be worth the drive, but that would kill a few tanks of (premium!) gas and probably end up costing you more in the long run.

About the In-N-Out meets, my friends keep telling me that I should go, but I'm not really into that kind of thing. I guess it wouldn't hurt to go check it out anyways. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I always imagined that it'd be STi and Evo owners at each others' throats about who has the better car. Now that I think about it, that would be kind of fun to go see..

 

Hey Mike, thanks for the info and suggestion. The reason I'm considering twin-disk clutches is because I plan on modding my car sometime in the near future to reach the WHP range that you mention. I figure it'd be fine to go for a better clutch than I need right now than to get a single disk now, and have to spend extra money on a twin disk later. If that's wrong, and a twin-disk is bad on a stock Evo, feel free to correct me because I'm still learning.

I am curious now though as to about how much WHP the average high-end single disk clutches can handle. I don't plan on making an uber racing machine or anything, but I was thinking somewhere in the range of 420hp, although hopefully a bit higher, after I'm done.

Since you've been researching, I hope you don't mind my asking, but have you found any clutches that seem as though they can handle the abuse of a good number of launches? I plan on taking my Evo (after mods) to the track, and it'd be good to have a reliable clutch to launch hard with.

 

Yeah, come check it out. The Subi and Evo and even some other imports show up. No fighting or racing, just hang and show off cars.

 

Go with the ACT street setup, no need for a twin disk on a stock evo.

 

Ok first of all my clutch went at 1400 miles ( 3 weeks after i got the car ) and i didnt romp on it cuz for 1200 miles i didnt exceed 3500 rpm cuz it was the break in period than i changed my oil and 200 miles later no clutch anyway here what the book says on warrantee
The following items are covered for 12000 miles or 12 months whichever occurs first(excluding normal wear and tear)
so basically mitsu has the right to claim that we wore out our clutches b/c the only way it is considered a malfunction is when the bearing in the clutch blows

 

lol i totally didnt notice it was already written my bad