Time for a new clutch [Archive]

Vivski

09-04-2006, 11:15 PM

My clutch is about to give up so I'm trying to decide Exedy heavy duty or Honda standard for the replacement. I've searched the forum for pros and cons and this is what I've come up with.

Exedy HD:
- more bitey
- more durable
- heavier pedal
- can handle more power (not an issue with my VTi ;) )

Honda:
- more forgiving
- easier on the drivetrain
- lighter pedal

Aside from those issues are there any major differences I've missed? Anything I've got completely wrong? It's an EG VTi and I drive it pretty hard, but I match revs up and down the box (heel-toe action). Price isn't a factor.

Googlefight says go for the Honda one. But I need more solid reasoning.
http://www.googlefight.com/index.php?lang=en_GB&word1=exedy+heavy+duty+clutch+kit&word2=genuine+honda+standard+clutch+kit

I was thinking of getting a lightweight flywheel too, but I've kinda gone off that idea. Not sure my little engine would like it for daily driving.

kyle

09-04-2006, 11:26 PM

Can't go past OEM reliablity. :thumbsup:
Be sure to get your flywheel machined and a new spigot baring when box is off.

Vivski

10-04-2006, 12:16 AM

Cheers Kyle, that's the way I'm looking at going. Just wanted to make sure there's no glaring reason I'd be stupid not to get heavy duty. Never driven a car with a heavy duty clutch.

aznpsuazn

10-04-2006, 02:33 PM

Depends on your driving style. If you often do flat changes, hi rev dumps and shifts, and generally give your clutch a beating, go for the HD. A stock clutch wont hold very well. You should be asking yourself why your clutch is about to give up, is it because of your driving or its done its long service. They can last for a long time if driven without 'poppin 2nds'

ECU-MAN

10-04-2006, 08:40 PM

OEM last longer

EG5[KRT]

10-04-2006, 08:45 PM

hm.. im in the same situation

but i do a little track work .. i think exedy hd will b the one for me ...

Vivski

10-04-2006, 11:22 PM

You should be asking yourself why your clutch is about to give up, is it because of your driving or its done its long service.
It's nearing 100,000km now and as far as I know it's the original clutch. I got the car about a year ago and the clutch was fairly worn then. It's not slipping in the higher gears yet, but it's certainly not bitey. I look after it as much as I can but I'd love to be able to dump it every now and again.

I'm not sure just how bitey a new Honda clutch will be, nor how heavy an HD clutch is. It makes it a hard decision. One thing I've got out of my research is that it seems either way I wont be disappointed.

pornstar

11-04-2006, 03:00 AM

viv, the exedy is the way to go ... I should know :)

dacbietcrx

11-04-2006, 10:15 AM

hey i just put a exedy HD button clutch in my ef-7 crx

its got a light pedal feel but its very aggressive when gripping so i wouldnt reccomend this clutch unless you have hugh HP.

i only put it in coz i got it for the same price as the HD.

regretting it nows...

aznpsuazn

11-04-2006, 02:13 PM

if you want some bite go for a HD exedy. the stock clutch wont handle the dumps that well. i wouldnt be going for a button clutch with street use.

Zilli

13-04-2006, 09:40 AM

i have always wondered what extra strain a HD clutch and lightened flywheel will have on the rest of the car, does anyone know?

mugeneration

13-04-2006, 11:24 AM

since money isnt an option why dont you get a new flywheel put in while you're at it? Turns out cheaper than replacing the old one at a later date.

civiceg9

13-04-2006, 12:18 PM

**Ghost**

13-04-2006, 02:28 PM

i went from a OEM B16A2 clutch to a HD exedy... (tho ti was teh midcore one, not softcore, not hardcore... :OP)

i teh car feels more responsive on downshift, not cos of any more power being ptu to the ground tho, more cos it CLAMPS harder on teh flywheel... also shifting smoothly is surprisingly easier when ru thrashing, less slipping of clutch

bennjamin

13-04-2006, 02:40 PM

Daikin/Exedy does supply OEM clutch to Honda in Japan.
The EG Civic uses a hydro clutch and the Heavy Duty is not really that much more heavy to press then to a standard one.

from personal experience the heavy duty gets my bang for bucks. It gives the car abit more bite and I have never feel the clutch slip again.

the "HD" clutch , is nothing more than a upgraded clamping pressure plate ~ it still uses the stock disc.
For a B series IMO go for the organic clutch kit - improved wear rates and feel.

coolson

13-04-2006, 02:48 PM

bennjamin

13-04-2006, 03:06 PM

it has been covered...

but to get a "new" clutch you need
1.$300 +/- labour
and
2.clutch kit (pressure plate , clutch disc and new release bearing and pilot bearing.
Then , you also need to remachine your flywheel ready for the new clutch.
Pros are increased feel and clamping pressure and cons are the same !

kyle

13-04-2006, 03:09 PM

sorry to hijack the thread :p

I have a EK4 and my clutch seems time that need to replace. I am just wondering how much roughly would that cost to upgrade to a HD clutch? What are the pros and cons of upgrading from stock clutch to HD on a EK4? and what else need to be change while changing the clutch?

Cheers!

You should get your flywheel machined flat(about $50) also replace your spigot baring too($5). You should also get a new throw out baring(should be included in kit) It wouldn't hurt to also take out the release fork and spring, cleaning it and the input shaft and re-applying some new grease to it.

Cost of HD Exedy is about $300

So budget about $360 for DIY clutch change :thumbsup: or about $700 if your gonna get someone to do it for ya:thumbdwn:

coolson

13-04-2006, 03:14 PM

thanks for replying so quickly guys! so, the next question would be where can i get the HD Exedy clutch then? Online?

kyle

13-04-2006, 03:20 PM

A number of traders on the forum, I think Trav(egsi) and leo(HondaR) can get em fairley good priced.

Felix

13-04-2006, 03:24 PM

I just bourght a Exedy Sports Organic clutch and Toda Lightweight Flywheel From Adrian (TODA AU). Havent got it installed yet, but he was a pleasure to deal with.

replaced

13-04-2006, 03:33 PM

So are there any final conclusions on what clutch to purchase for a vti, or should we just stick to the oem clutch?

Vivski - I think you should try and drive a car with a hd, i've driven a car with one and it feels great dumping compared to my car, but the car I drove had an aftermarket flywheel as well. So I dunno :/

z3lda

13-04-2006, 03:54 PM

felix, how much did u pay for your flywheel/ SO clutch

Felix

13-04-2006, 04:04 PM

flywheel , clutch and bearings - just under $1000 shiped.

z3lda

13-04-2006, 04:17 PM

not a bad price.

i picked up my fly and SO clutch for 916$

Felix

13-04-2006, 04:21 PM

not a bad price.

i picked up my fly and SO clutch for 916$

Yeap basically the same price.

E-Honda

14-04-2006, 02:47 AM

thanks for replying so quickly guys! so, the next question would be where can i get the HD Exedy clutch then? Online?

just go to the exedy website and put in your postcode in the enquiry form and they will email u back with distributors in your area

15-04-2006, 12:59 AM

It's nearing 100,000km now and as far as I know it's the original clutch. I got the car about a year ago and the clutch was fairly worn then. It's not slipping in the higher gears yet, but it's certainly not bitey. I look after it as much as I can but I'd love to be able to dump it every now and again.

If it aint slipping, dont replace it yet. Unless you are wanting to put a heavy duty one in. When I got my car, I thought the clutch would need replacing, but 50,000kms later its still ok (probably will eventually need to be done in the next year or so).

Just out of interest, how long has a clutch lasted for someone? Mines got ~145,000kms on it and as far as I know, its the original clutch.

Vivski

15-04-2006, 02:33 AM

Oh no, dont make this about flywheels!!! I've just convinced myself not to get the TODA flywheel! What benefit would I get? Sure it would rev really nicely but when I'm hauling around my 3 lazy mates will the car feel even heavier up the hills?

Okay, I've decided to go with the Exedy HD clutch. It seems the best option. I dont dump it that much, but I love a nice shift so I may as well try something with some bite. Thanks for the help!

Vivski

15-04-2006, 02:39 AM

OEM last longer
So even if I use both of them exactly the same, match revs, minimal dumping, no track work the OEM clutch will last longer?

Is that because the surface of the OEM offers less friction and lasts longer... like a hard tyre lasts longer than a soft one? Or is it a clamping force issue?

kyle

15-04-2006, 11:40 AM

Is that because the surface of the OEM offers less friction and lasts longer... like a hard tyre lasts longer than a soft one? Or is it a clamping force issue?

Correct. The Exedy Uses a stock Clutch Disc but has a higher clamping force pressure plate. Think of it this way...

If a person weighing 50kg(OEM) and a person weighing 130Kg(Exedy) are wearing the same type of shoe. Whos tread is gonna wear out first? Assuming that they both treat there shoes exatly the same.

If your havn't increased your power of your engine, I would just get stock OEM.

Vivski

15-04-2006, 05:20 PM

Dont tell me that! I'd just decided on HD! ;) I do value the advice though.

With regular use, can anyone give me an estimate of how long an Exedy HD clutch would last? Given a standard clutch would last about 150k give or take.