Clutch Question

The OEM clutch can handle 500 HP. Expect to replace it every 10-15,000 miles.

When doing the research which eventually led to the purchase of the RPS, I did not come across any clutches that I would consider to have a reliable history and good reviews with a "soft" pedal pressure other than OEM.

For high HP applications, and to keep the car streetable, the RPS was the clear choice, even though the pedal pressure is ~50% greater than OEM. It's build quality, customer satisfaction, and price combination are unmatched.

For racing applications, there are many clutches out there, but I'm not aware of any pure "race" or "track" clutches with a particularly "soft" pedal.

It would help to know what your applications are, and even more intriguing is the setup which will deliver 500HP for you. What is your setup?

G
 
SINCITY_NSX said:
I might do a 100shot. I have a buddy that has the rps and hes havin problems with it.

Hmm...this is the first mention of any problems with the RPS. #1: How old is it; #2: Who did the install; #3: How hard is it driven.

BTW, are you running over 400 HP now? What clutch are you using now?

A 100 shot won't bring you close to 500 HP unless you have a pretty hard-core setup, in which case your clutch probably isn't OEM.
 
You should ask Mikey at Factor X when we do the group meet. He's gone through every clutch on the market in testing the FX500. He's got one in the silver beast that's holding up well with the 700+ HP they have going through it now.
 
My centerforce rebuilt clutch is still grabbing well after 5 years of usage. I recently took it out for an inspection and I must say it looks pretty good for a 5 years old clutch. I only used up 1mm of the clutch disc.

Henry.
 
Sorry to hijack, but I am also looking for a clutch. However after searchin like crazy on the forums, I feel like I can't make a decision.

My NSX is mostly stock. No real power mods. But I do drive alot, I have a 97 with 130k and still doing about 15-20k a year. I do alot of city driving, so stock feel is important. I have a 99 M3 with a Tilton setup, and trust me thats the project car, and its not street friendly.

I've looked at the Spec Stage 2, the ACT Heavy Duty, and the Centerforce. I couldn't find much info about the Clutchmasters. I dont want to spend $$$, but am willing to look at the right Clutch & Flywheel setup for around $1500. They all seem streetable, but which one is the most streetable? Lightest Pedal effort? Best Wearing? I havbe a 97, so was thinking about doing the Twin Disc Clutch Conversion. Does that mean a 91-96 5sp flywheel will now work on the 97+ as well as the clutch?

Should I use the stock Flywheel or get a Dali/SOS?

As for the original poster and others, I was wondering if any NSX people have tried the SPEC Stage 2+ or Stage 3+...

I used the Stage 2+ on my M3 was extremely happy with it...

Thanks in advance guys.
 
CarCrazed4Life said:
Sorry to hijack, but I am also looking for a clutch. However after searchin like crazy on the forums, I feel like I can't make a decision.

My NSX is mostly stock. No real power mods. But I do drive alot, I have a 97 with 130k and still doing about 15-20k a year. I do alot of city driving, so stock feel is important. I have a 99 M3 with a Tilton setup, and trust me thats the project car, and its not street friendly.

I've looked at the Spec Stage 2, the ACT Heavy Duty, and the Centerforce. I couldn't find much info about the Clutchmasters. I dont want to spend $$$, but am willing to look at the right Clutch & Flywheel setup for around $1500. They all seem streetable, but which one is the most streetable? Lightest Pedal effort? Best Wearing? I havbe a 97, so was thinking about doing the Twin Disc Clutch Conversion. Does that mean a 91-96 5sp flywheel will now work on the 97+ as well as the clutch?

Should I use the stock Flywheel or get a Dali/SOS?

As for the original poster and others, I was wondering if any NSX people have tried the SPEC Stage 2+ or Stage 3+...

I used the Stage 2+ on my M3 was extremely happy with it...

Thanks in advance guys.


After reading that, i don't know why you would not continue to use the OEM clutch.
 
NSXGMS said:
For high HP applications, and to keep the car streetable, the RPS was the clear choice, even though the pedal pressure is ~50% greater than OEM. It's build quality, customer satisfaction, and price combination are unmatched.

G

Everyone raves about the RPS; however, I have heard the pedal pressure is not just 50% harder than stock. A friend who has one told me the pedal pressure was even harder than the Comptech PG2 and that is at least 50% harder than stock.

I would seriously suggest trying to find a car with one before you buy. You will save yourself a lot of headaches.
 
NetViper said:
Everyone raves about the RPS; however, I have heard the pedal pressure is not just 50% harder than stock. A friend who has one told me the pedal pressure was even harder than the Comptech PG2 and that is at least 50% harder than stock.

I would seriously suggest trying to find a car with one before you buy. You will save yourself a lot of headaches.

I've drove an NSX with the RPS clutch and it's definitely more than 50% stiffer, however, my customer had the Comptech PG2 and told me he switched the cluth to the RPS because it was even stiffer.

I'm going to install an RPS clutch next week in my car, but I mostly freeway drive.
 
NetViper said:
After reading that, i don't know why you would not continue to use the OEM clutch.

Because the Centerforce SOS setup is cheaper then OEM. And There are kits that last longer too. In my understanding the Centerforce is just like OEM, but grips better. I was looking for a comparison between all of them. I read about the RPS, which is why I avoided that setup.
 
CarCrazed4Life said:
Because the Centerforce SOS setup is cheaper then OEM. And There are kits that last longer too. In my understanding the Centerforce is just like OEM, but grips better. I was looking for a comparison between all of them. I read about the RPS, which is why I avoided that setup.

Gotcha. I have not personally ever driven one, so i would try and find someone with one and try it out. The clutch is just too expensive to replace to get something you find out you hate after a week or so of daily driving.
 
NetViper said:
Gotcha. I have not personally ever driven one, so i would try and find someone with one and try it out. The clutch is just too expensive to replace to get something you find out you hate after a week or so of daily driving.

ABSOLUTELY!!! :biggrin: That is why I was fishin for advise. Besides The previous owner had the clutch put on at 90k and I bought it at 100k and now have 130k. I don't know how aggressive it was driven, but 40k seemed premature for me. I've driven cars with upgraded clutches that feel pretty close to stock, but with greater wear and grab characteristics with stock or better pedal feel.

This NSX will continue to be my daily driver. So I need to keep that in mind :wink:
 
SINCITY_NSX said:
I'm looking for a new clutch for my 91 NSX. I would like to find one that can handle up tp 500HP or more and has a soft peddle any idea's?

Bill

How are you developing the power? How street-able do you want the clutch to be? How often would it be acceptable to service it and at what cost? How would you characterize your vehicle & clutch usage? You mentioned high HP and NOS... are you likely launching/drag racing with it as seems to be popular down that way? If so how often?

Such answers will allow you to choose a design (pucks vs. full face, friction material, clamping load, design, etc..) which will then quickly narrow down the available offerings.
 
CarCrazed4Life said:
ABSOLUTELY!!! :biggrin: That is why I was fishin for advise. Besides The previous owner had the clutch put on at 90k and I bought it at 100k and now have 130k. I don't know how aggressive it was driven, but 40k seemed premature for me. I've driven cars with upgraded clutches that feel pretty close to stock, but with greater wear and grab characteristics with stock or better pedal feel.

This NSX will continue to be my daily driver. So I need to keep that in mind :wink:

40K miles is on the lower end of OEM clutch life, but many NSX owners' clutches do go that quickly. If babied, the clutch should last longer...

I would say, as I always do, that sacrificing comfort/quality for money is not usually a good idea. I would strongly recommend if you're not installing the OEM or the RPS (prepare for a greater pedal effort) than drive a car with whatever clutch you're considering for a full day (or at least in traffic and on the highway) before pulling the trigger and spending the money for the clutch and install, and then deciding it's not right.

Other than the RPS, I haven't read too much about any aftermarket NSX clutch being that spectacular. Sure, you'll find people that rave about anything, but be careful. There are a lot of factors. Wear, pedal effort, ease of engagement (or sloppy engagement), quality (mech. problems may develop), etc.
 
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