Hey guys, i've been talking with a dealer and i'm pretty set on getting a new evo. Only problem i've been concerned with is that the stock clutch doesn't last as long. I've done a couple searches, and i'm still clueless about the whole clutch situation. Some stories i've heard were that they normally last for about 11k, taking out the restrictor pill helps the clutch last longer at the sacrafice of drivetrain shock on the tranny, aftermarket clutches last much longer. I'm a college student using this car for my DD needs, but also to take onto the track. Some other things that i've heard is that the STi can take abuse more so than the Evo, some instances I've heard the STi's stock clutch lasting 3x as long as the stock Evo clutch.

I know the whole STi vs Evo thing is so old that I hate talking about it, but in terms of a car with reliability, I've heard that the STi's stock clutch has a substantially longer life when it comes to comparing the two. Would an aftermarket clutch like the Exedy Twin Disc solve the problem after the stock clutch is done? I don't plan on modding as far as maybe TBE, MBC, fuel pump, tune, LICP + new intercooler and cams. Choosing between the STi and Evo isn't between which is better, i'm just facing the reliability factor. I'd much prefer to get the Evo and I have a lot of friends that have VIII's and IX's, so I really don't want to dissapoint them, lol.

Hopefully I won't get flamed too hard for this. Posted in newbie forum, have had good experience in autocross, taken a racing class, and I can afford the evo no problem. I hope that meets the requirements to not be bashed about getting an evo at a moderately young age . I appreciate any feedback and any experiences with one or the other, just don't want to make the wrong decision on something that'll play a big factor in my life. Thanks.

P.S. A side question I wanted to ask, I haven't test drove the STi since the dealership doesn't offer test drives, but from what I heard is that the STi feels faster, is this because of the low end torque and smaller turbo? I know the evo hauls ***** after around 2.5k RPMs, but not really sure how to compare the two since i've only been able to test drive the Evo.

 

clutch - i think it depends on the driver man..though i have heard stories where evo's had to have the stock clutch replaced under 7k. but imo, it depends on the driver...why would mitsu make a performance car with a clutch that only lasts 3k am i right?

sti vs evo - from what i've heard an sti is faster on straights but the evo is faster on turns...that's stock vs stock ofcourse. but a lot of other people here have a lot more knowledge that what i know..i'm just giving you my opinion.

 

Yea, I totally understand where your coming from with the clutch. In most cases, it's definately based on the driver, this coming from experience . I've read up on that one story of the evo with 90k and still on stock clutch which is unbelievable, but that's a rare instance.

 

55k in my evo8

 

Drivers are what makes something last or die after all.If you beat on it , it will break.

 

fwiw, my stock evo VIII has 39k on the stock clutch. It still feels like its got plenty more to go.
Also, a friend of mine has 60k on his stock clutch and it has had a gt35r on it for a while now.

 

Like others have said, take care of the car, and it will last. 11k seems a bit premature for a clutch to go out. On top of that, you've mentioned that you have some experience in driving/racing, so there's no reason why your clutch wouldn't last a while.

The STI does "feel" faster, but if you look around, you'll see that the Evo is a tad faster stock vs stock.

 

Over 30,000 on the stock clutch in my VIII.

My buddy has a STi limited.

I like my car better.

Car to car the Evo feels faster (in my opinion).

But the Sti is a hair faster.

 

Faster than the 9 or 8? For some reason I always thought the Evo was the faster car?

 

52k on mine when i sold it, stock clutch still gripping hard... And lots and lots of track racing on it too... Its totally driver, the car isn't made to be launched, it puts a crap load of strain on the drivetrain what with the AWD and the traction. If you plan on dragging it, plan on a new clutch. Track racing it'll be just fine, that's what I did.

 

As long as you don't launch it you'll be fine!

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys, I figured that I would have to change my clutch anyways to aftermarket for tracking anyways. Have any of you used the Exedy triple disc ? I'm looking towards getting the Exedy twin disc as it offers dd driveability (South Florida traffic sucks ***).

 

23000 miles including 20 track days, my stock clutch is still going strong. Like everyone said, it's the launches that kill the clutch. So, you don't really need an aftermarket clutch for track duties unless you plan to make big power.

 

depends how u drive u could kill it in one day if u wanted to

 

My car has 35k on the stock clutch and I've made probably 100+ passes at the track.

Its all driver