Clutch advice
 

Hey fellas,

So recently my TOB has been starting to fail on me so instead of just replacing that alone I might as well replace the whole clutch while I'm there (85k miles). My car is my DD and as of now I am not planning to go boost. I do like my spirited drives along with having a little fun in an open parking lot.

The clutch I was looking at was the Exedy OEM Kit #FJK1005 along with their lightweight flywheel #TF02. A different alternative I was looking at was the ACT clutch kit with the lightweight flywheel #SB8-HDSS. Both seemed fairly reasonable for me since I don't expect to be making that much power but at the same time have the car a tiny bit rev happy. I do like the feel of a little stiffer clutch with a tiny bit more bite.

So my question is which of these kits would you guys recommend? Both have a similar price range and from what I've read both companies have great credit when it comes to clutches. As of now I am just looking at these two but I am open to other suggestions as long as it's within my budget
~$500-$800

Thanks guys!

Exedy is pretty good quality. I had the Southbend Clutch Stage 2 (which was basically a tweaked Exedy) and it was a great kit. I didn't do the fly wheel, though.

I'd suggest you just go with OEM.


humfrz

OEM as well. Once you go with stronger clutches, you'll also need to upgrade the clutch fork as they are known to break due to the increased pressures. If you want it to feel stiffer, you can do the clutch slave cylinder swap posted here.

Thanks guys! Appreciate the advice!

Now is it really worth getting the lightweight flywheel?

Nope!

I had an ACT. It would hang up on me, and the lightened flywheel is not what you want for a DD. It would shutter all the time.

I went back to stock flywheel with a South Bend stage 2 daily and now much better.

For a DD, I'd stick with the stock flywheel ...... it's already light enough ..... :)


humfrz

For a daily, non boosted, go with OEM or Southbend that allows you to keep OEM FW. The lgihter FW will not be pleasant for a DD, specially when you're not making any crazy power.

I installed the ACT SB7-HDSS (Full face street /w streetlight flywheel). Definitely daily-able, but not without consequences.

I enjoy driving, and I track the car. I don't mind the additional noise and inconveniences of a lightweight flywheel. The response is great, but does take practice and changing some of your city driving habits.

If you do go with an OE replacement type kit, I would recommend picking up and using the 2017 TOB from the dealer.

When my TOB was on the verge of dying, I too had the ACT SB7-HDSS w/ the Velox billet clutch fork professionally installed on my previous FR-S... It started failing ~6-7k miles in (locked me out of gears, etc).

I appreciated the responsiveness of the lighter FW, but ACT quality control had more to be desired in my particular case.

I would stick to OEM.

And while you're at it get the Velox fork and pivot.

Did you try adjusting your clutch pedal height to see if that fixed the problem?
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To the OP:

If you have no plan to have more power then OEM. If you want a bump up in power support then do the Exedy Stage 1, but get the forged billet fork. Don’t ever get a LWFW for a DD.