Opinions on clutches - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

2slow2go · 07-19-2012, 11:38 PM

Yes I searched and read a lot of thread on clutches but was looking for more specific answers.

As of right now I'm leaning towards a exedy stage 2 clutch after looking at the reviews. Many reviews forget to mention if its a 3 puck,4 puck or 6 puck? On ebay, all i see are 3 puck stage 2 exedys.

Another issue was everyone mentions about the chatter from Pucked clutches. Is this true? I never really drove a call with a chatter before, is it that annoying or noticeable?

My car is a s14 sr20det stock besides front mount and some small stuff not relating to power gains. Looking for a clutch that soft to okay stiffness pedal feel to daily drive in traffic but will also last long even after some clutch kicks or something.

Opinions?

booey13 · 07-19-2012, 11:43 PM

Stage 2. I have one and it's tame enough for street driving and will handle clutch kicks here and there. Pucked clutches do tend to chatter a little but it's nothing unbearable.

slider2828 · 07-19-2012, 11:48 PM

The best is a RPS Street Max clutch.... had the stage two... great for anything 300whp ish.... any more it wears quick...

e1_griego · 07-19-2012, 11:50 PM

I like my South Bend a lot.

Had exedy stage 2 with ACT prolite flywheel and it was a chatterbox. South Bend is butter smooth as its full face.

!Zar! · 07-19-2012, 11:51 PM

This is an Exedy stage 2. I just installed one in my car last week and it is amazing so far. Still really DD friendly, yet grabs hard. There is chatter (sometimes) but whatever, chances are if you are driving a car that needs this clutch, it isn't anything you can't handle.

If you want a 6 puck sprung clutch, then that would be ACT

Why not get something that isn't as extreme? I rather replace clutches than transmissions.

2slow2go · 07-20-2012, 12:00 AM

thanks for the quick reply guys.

Yea definitely not going 6 pucks because i'm more looking for a daily feel.

can anyone describe the chatter noise? is it a metal grinding noise?
Does it happen all the time or usually during engagement or disengagement of the clutch?

this is the toasted clutch i pulled out of the car today after buying it.
I believe the clutch was a exedy stage 2 as pictured above but because it was toasted I couldn't really make any opinions on it. I did hear a metal grinding sound coming from the tranny on the way home. Not sure if thats the normal broke clutch sound or this chatter sound you guys are saying.

booey13 · 07-20-2012, 12:04 AM

Mine chatters during both engagement and disengagement. Mostly while engaging though. It feels like the clutch is "slapping" the flywheel. Gassing it up a little more usually helps with this.

2slow2go · 07-20-2012, 12:07 AM

aaah so no sounds after let say idleing or you're already in gear and with clutch pedal released and just gassing?

booey13 · 07-20-2012, 12:33 AM

Not for me. It's always during engagement/disengagement. I also have a lightweight flywheel so that doesn't help with the chatter either.

chris_240sx · 07-20-2012, 12:49 AM

I ended up going with an Exedy stage 2 as well. My motor setup is the same as yours. I like it so far, daily driving my car for almost 2 years with it now. The only thing I have to compare it to is the stock clutch from my old KA, but it's not bad to drive at all. Engagement can be a little harsh sometimes but it's really not bad. It's held good on seldom clutch kicks and what not. I would recommend it.

slider2828 · 07-20-2012, 10:00 AM

I had the exedy stage 2 clutch before RPS..... Full face basically has no chatter, which southbend and RPS has even on lightened flywheels.

Exedy definitely has chatter and a harsher engagement than the RPS and higher engagement. Clutch pedal pressure is about the same as stock. RPS has a stiffer clutch feel but no chatter.

Chatter is definitely more noticeable with a lightened flywheel..... Personally I just don't like the high engagement of the clutch where you have to let go like 30-40% of the way before it really catches... Full faces catch pretty much 1" off the ground...

!Zar! · 07-20-2012, 10:04 AM

What I did to fix the clutch throw is adjusted the rod that goes to the back of the clutch pedal.

Now 90% of the movement is doing work without having some dead space.

I notice chatter the more when I am not giving it enough gas.

2slow2go · 07-20-2012, 12:35 PM

i think ima pull the trigger on a stage 2 3 puck exedy. I couldnt find any full face except stage 1( i assume that would be too weak).

I'm using a stock flywheel I think. No holes or anything on it just straight flat surface.

I'll be back with a review and questions if installing this shit sucks.

RedSiBaron · 07-20-2012, 04:07 PM

clutches are crutches, i dont use that shit, over rated

Eazy_tom · 07-20-2012, 04:37 PM

I have an Illegal Garage dual diaphragm.
I haven't driven on it yet, but the pedal is super aggressive.

2slow2go · 07-27-2012, 01:34 AM

So I got the clutch installed today.

The overall clutch feel was pretty easy. Definitely grabs like a new clutch but not nail biting like a stage 3 i tried before. Pretty comfortable daily driving.

After install, I didn't really notice any chatter. I do hear like a metal sound during start up for half a second, maybe the flywheel or something.

My check engine light comes on intermittently( it blinks in odd intervals) but it doesnt seem engine related because it runs fine. I thought it might be because of the my kazz 2 way locking to hard on the tranny? No idea. Some input would be nice on this.

I also put in some redline mt-90. The shifting seems alright.. doesnt grind or anything but doesn't have that cushion smooth feel like a regular good KA tranny with whatever oil people put before. Best I can describe it as is like edgy shifting.. like I have to put the gears in straight and not like diagonally and stuff or I feel like I'll hit metal or grind.
I put 3 bottles(quarts?). Should I need more? Any recommendation on different oil for more of a cushion feel?

2slow2go · 07-27-2012, 11:52 AM

Also,

On the s14 cluster. The service engine soon and check engine light are the same thing right? It doesn't have two different lights?

iamtheyi · 07-27-2012, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2slow2go

Also,

On the s14 cluster. The service engine soon and check engine light are the same thing right? It doesn't have two different lights?

We don't have a service engine soon light. If you have a check engine light, something is not working.

also, I have never heard of any diff putting stress on the tranny so a CEL comes on. I have a welded and no lights.

Hoffman5982 · 07-27-2012, 07:35 PM

I run a Fidanza 2.1 Carbon/Kevlar clutch on my S14 SR. I love it. The pedal isn't stiff and engages very nicely. I've put about 10k miles on it with absolutely no issues. Definitely recommend it.

*fliprayzin240sx* · 07-27-2012, 08:27 PM

If after changing your clutch, you ended up getting a check engine light...you fucked up your Crank Angle Sensor on top of the tranny bell housing.

2slow2go · 07-28-2012, 01:19 PM

^^ for some reason my cluster has a service engine soon light. It comes on intermittently. It's the left side on the right bottom light

I don't remember any sensor plug or anything on my tranny that I hooked or disconnected. Only my speed sensor

*fliprayzin240sx* · 07-28-2012, 01:44 PM

NM, thought you still had a KA. S14 SR20s doenst have a crank angle sensor on the bellhousing.

Pull the code and see what it is...

2slow2go · 07-28-2012, 02:24 PM

oh also, the service engine light came on before i did my clutch. it comes on intermittently and doesn't affect my car at all. but it does run a little rich.

But yea I do have the service engine light? s14s have a check engine light and service engine soon light?

cmg · 07-29-2012, 11:40 AM

How did you put a clutch in your car yourself and cant figure out the cel?

2slow2go · 07-30-2012, 12:24 AM

I tried but the data port doesn't work lol.

Drove it today and it didn't come on. I did notice it backfires more now. I'm thinking when the clutch was going out it was revved to much without going anywhere and burned rich and killed the o2 sensor. Thus the backfiring and service engine light now?

Anyone know what car o2 sensor with the same plug for a s14 sr20det?

07-19-2012, 11:38 PM	#1
2slow2go Zilvia Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bothell Age: 78 Posts: 622 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	Opinions on clutches Yes I searched and read a lot of thread on clutches but was looking for more specific answers. As of right now I'm leaning towards a exedy stage 2 clutch after looking at the reviews. Many reviews forget to mention if its a 3 puck,4 puck or 6 puck? On ebay, all i see are 3 puck stage 2 exedys. Another issue was everyone mentions about the chatter from Pucked clutches. Is this true? I never really drove a call with a chatter before, is it that annoying or noticeable? My car is a s14 sr20det stock besides front mount and some small stuff not relating to power gains. Looking for a clutch that soft to okay stiffness pedal feel to daily drive in traffic but will also last long even after some clutch kicks or something. Opinions?

07-19-2012, 11:43 PM	#2
booey13 Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Midwest Age: 34 Posts: 1,401 Trader Rating: (91) Feedback Score: 91 reviews	Stage 2. I have one and it's tame enough for street driving and will handle clutch kicks here and there. Pucked clutches do tend to chatter a little but it's nothing unbearable. __________________ www.monkeyboysyo.blogspot.com

07-19-2012, 11:48 PM	#3
slider2828 Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 5,998 Trader Rating: (13) Feedback Score: 13 reviews	The best is a RPS Street Max clutch.... had the stage two... great for anything 300whp ish.... any more it wears quick... __________________ Turn and Burn!

07-19-2012, 11:51 PM	#5
!Zar! Post Whore! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: North Korea Posts: 14,579 Trader Rating: (27) Feedback Score: 27 reviews	This is an Exedy stage 2. I just installed one in my car last week and it is amazing so far. Still really DD friendly, yet grabs hard. There is chatter (sometimes) but whatever, chances are if you are driving a car that needs this clutch, it isn't anything you can't handle. If you want a 6 puck sprung clutch, then that would be ACT Why not get something that isn't as extreme? I rather replace clutches than transmissions. __________________

07-20-2012, 12:04 AM	#7
booey13 Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Midwest Age: 34 Posts: 1,401 Trader Rating: (91) Feedback Score: 91 reviews	Mine chatters during both engagement and disengagement. Mostly while engaging though. It feels like the clutch is "slapping" the flywheel. Gassing it up a little more usually helps with this. __________________ www.monkeyboysyo.blogspot.com

07-19-2012, 11:50 PM	#4
e1_griego Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Independence, Ore. Age: 39 Posts: 2,715 Trader Rating: (24) Feedback Score: 24 reviews	I like my South Bend a lot. Had exedy stage 2 with ACT prolite flywheel and it was a chatterbox. South Bend is butter smooth as its full face.

07-20-2012, 12:00 AM	#6
2slow2go Zilvia Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bothell Age: 78 Posts: 622 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	thanks for the quick reply guys. Yea definitely not going 6 pucks because i'm more looking for a daily feel. can anyone describe the chatter noise? is it a metal grinding noise? Does it happen all the time or usually during engagement or disengagement of the clutch? this is the toasted clutch i pulled out of the car today after buying it. I believe the clutch was a exedy stage 2 as pictured above but because it was toasted I couldn't really make any opinions on it. I did hear a metal grinding sound coming from the tranny on the way home. Not sure if thats the normal broke clutch sound or this chatter sound you guys are saying.

07-20-2012, 12:07 AM	#8
2slow2go Zilvia Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bothell Age: 78 Posts: 622 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	aaah so no sounds after let say idleing or you're already in gear and with clutch pedal released and just gassing?

07-20-2012, 12:33 AM	#9
booey13 Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Midwest Age: 34 Posts: 1,401 Trader Rating: (91) Feedback Score: 91 reviews	Not for me. It's always during engagement/disengagement. I also have a lightweight flywheel so that doesn't help with the chatter either. __________________ www.monkeyboysyo.blogspot.com

07-20-2012, 12:49 AM	#10
chris_240sx Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Washington Posts: 425 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I ended up going with an Exedy stage 2 as well. My motor setup is the same as yours. I like it so far, daily driving my car for almost 2 years with it now. The only thing I have to compare it to is the stock clutch from my old KA, but it's not bad to drive at all. Engagement can be a little harsh sometimes but it's really not bad. It's held good on seldom clutch kicks and what not. I would recommend it.

07-20-2012, 10:00 AM	#11
slider2828 Post Whore! Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 5,998 Trader Rating: (13) Feedback Score: 13 reviews	I had the exedy stage 2 clutch before RPS..... Full face basically has no chatter, which southbend and RPS has even on lightened flywheels. Exedy definitely has chatter and a harsher engagement than the RPS and higher engagement. Clutch pedal pressure is about the same as stock. RPS has a stiffer clutch feel but no chatter. Chatter is definitely more noticeable with a lightened flywheel..... Personally I just don't like the high engagement of the clutch where you have to let go like 30-40% of the way before it really catches... Full faces catch pretty much 1" off the ground... __________________ Turn and Burn!

07-20-2012, 10:04 AM	#12
!Zar! Post Whore! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: North Korea Posts: 14,579 Trader Rating: (27) Feedback Score: 27 reviews	What I did to fix the clutch throw is adjusted the rod that goes to the back of the clutch pedal. Now 90% of the movement is doing work without having some dead space. I notice chatter the more when I am not giving it enough gas. __________________

07-20-2012, 12:35 PM	#13
2slow2go Zilvia Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bothell Age: 78 Posts: 622 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	i think ima pull the trigger on a stage 2 3 puck exedy. I couldnt find any full face except stage 1( i assume that would be too weak). I'm using a stock flywheel I think. No holes or anything on it just straight flat surface. I'll be back with a review and questions if installing this shit sucks.

07-20-2012, 04:07 PM	#14
RedSiBaron Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: cincinnati/dayton/columbus OH Posts: 448 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	clutches are crutches, i dont use that shit, over rated

07-20-2012, 04:37 PM	#15
Eazy_tom Zilvia Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Castaic Posts: 297 Trader Rating: (13) Feedback Score: 13 reviews	I have an Illegal Garage dual diaphragm. I haven't driven on it yet, but the pedal is super aggressive.

07-27-2012, 01:34 AM	#16
2slow2go Zilvia Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bothell Age: 78 Posts: 622 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	So I got the clutch installed today. The overall clutch feel was pretty easy. Definitely grabs like a new clutch but not nail biting like a stage 3 i tried before. Pretty comfortable daily driving. After install, I didn't really notice any chatter. I do hear like a metal sound during start up for half a second, maybe the flywheel or something. My check engine light comes on intermittently( it blinks in odd intervals) but it doesnt seem engine related because it runs fine. I thought it might be because of the my kazz 2 way locking to hard on the tranny? No idea. Some input would be nice on this. I also put in some redline mt-90. The shifting seems alright.. doesnt grind or anything but doesn't have that cushion smooth feel like a regular good KA tranny with whatever oil people put before. Best I can describe it as is like edgy shifting.. like I have to put the gears in straight and not like diagonally and stuff or I feel like I'll hit metal or grind. I put 3 bottles(quarts?). Should I need more? Any recommendation on different oil for more of a cushion feel?

07-27-2012, 11:52 AM	#17
2slow2go Zilvia Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bothell Age: 78 Posts: 622 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	Also, On the s14 cluster. The service engine soon and check engine light are the same thing right? It doesn't have two different lights?

07-27-2012, 07:35 PM	#19
Hoffman5982 Post Whore! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Definitely NOT FL.... Age: 32 Posts: 2,504 Trader Rating: (25) Feedback Score: 25 reviews	I run a Fidanza 2.1 Carbon/Kevlar clutch on my S14 SR. I love it. The pedal isn't stiff and engages very nicely. I've put about 10k miles on it with absolutely no issues. Definitely recommend it. __________________

07-27-2012, 08:27 PM	#20
fliprayzin240sx Man w/ CTSV & a Car Seat Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 17,998 Trader Rating: (19) Rides Gallery: fliprayzin240sx Feedback Score: 19 reviews	If after changing your clutch, you ended up getting a check engine light...you fucked up your Crank Angle Sensor on top of the tranny bell housing. __________________ If you think Zilvia has too many assholes... CLICK HERE!!!

07-28-2012, 01:19 PM	#21
2slow2go Zilvia Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bothell Age: 78 Posts: 622 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	^^ for some reason my cluster has a service engine soon light. It comes on intermittently. It's the left side on the right bottom light I don't remember any sensor plug or anything on my tranny that I hooked or disconnected. Only my speed sensor

07-28-2012, 01:44 PM	#22
fliprayzin240sx Man w/ CTSV & a Car Seat Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 17,998 Trader Rating: (19) Rides Gallery: fliprayzin240sx Feedback Score: 19 reviews	NM, thought you still had a KA. S14 SR20s doenst have a crank angle sensor on the bellhousing. Pull the code and see what it is... __________________ If you think Zilvia has too many assholes... CLICK HERE!!!

07-28-2012, 02:24 PM	#23
2slow2go Zilvia Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bothell Age: 78 Posts: 622 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	oh also, the service engine light came on before i did my clutch. it comes on intermittently and doesn't affect my car at all. but it does run a little rich. But yea I do have the service engine light? s14s have a check engine light and service engine soon light?

07-29-2012, 11:40 AM	#24
cmg Zilvia Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 158 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	How did you put a clutch in your car yourself and cant figure out the cel?

07-30-2012, 12:24 AM	#25
2slow2go Zilvia Addict Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bothell Age: 78 Posts: 622 Trader Rating: (7) Feedback Score: 7 reviews	I tried but the data port doesn't work lol. Drove it today and it didn't come on. I did notice it backfires more now. I'm thinking when the clutch was going out it was revved to much without going anywhere and burned rich and killed the o2 sensor. Thus the backfiring and service engine light now? Anyone know what car o2 sensor with the same plug for a s14 sr20det?