Clutch story.....Part II

[Black Knight]

As most of you have read my first post, I mentioned a shudder during 1st gear...with only 18k miles on the car, I suspected something funny about the early wear on the clutch. I finally brought it in to an Acura dealership to get it checked out since I still have warranty left. They told me it needs a brand new clutch....

$2700 parts + $1100 labor = $3800!!

The price is not as ridiculous as the fact that the clutch has worn out so quickly. I've owned the car since it had 14.5k miles on it. The previous owner must've have mistreated the clutch.

Anyone in the bay area with a Comptech Power Grip II clutch installed? How much was it and how does it feel?

For reference, could some of you let me know what aftermarket clutches you have and how much was the complete job? Also, if you could share a little about the clutch feel....thanks.....

------------------
1998 Monte Carlo Blue NSX-T
2001 Yellow S2K (retired)
2001 CL Type-S

 

[hk4site]

Did they include a new flywheel? as the parts cost do not show it...stay with the stock setup

 

[Ag NSX]

I had a centerforce clutch installed on my 93' 3 years ago. $1300 total. I think it was $800 part + $500 install.

 

[SolidCitizen]

$2700 parts + $1100 labor = $3800!!

[/B]

If you choose to stay with stock parts, try www.ahmotor.com. I got a 97+ flywheel (Genuine Honda) for about $1500, which is over $500 less than what the dealership is asking you. I'm not sure if ahmotor discounts the disc, pressure plate, and throw-out bearing as well, but the flywheel is the biggie.

Don (Hilltop Auto Service) does clutches for around $700.

I have no business affiliation with these guys, just stating the facts

Jeff

 

[matteni]

Originally posted by Ag NSX:
I had a centerforce clutch installed on my 93' 3 years ago. $1300 total. I think it was $800 part + $500 install.

That is the lowest price I think I have ever heard!

Please provide more details on the shop, the source for the parts, and your satisfaction with the job.

 

[hk4site]

The 97 on have a dual mass flywheel and it can't be reworked, you have to purchase a new one. About $2000 for parts (flywheel, clutch, disk, throwout bearing and pilot bearing plus $500 plus for install

 

[WestonNSX]

Originally posted by Blue Knight:
As most of you have read my first post, I mentioned a shudder during 1st gear...with only 18k miles on the car, I suspected something funny about the early wear on the clutch. I finally brought it in to an Acura dealership to get it checked out since I still have warranty left. They told me it needs a brand new clutch....

$2700 parts + $1100 labor = $3800!!

The price is not as ridiculous as the fact that the clutch has worn out so quickly. I've owned the car since it had 14.5k miles on it. The previous owner must've have mistreated the clutch.

Anyone in the bay area with a Comptech Power Grip II clutch installed? How much was it and how does it feel?

For reference, could some of you let me know what aftermarket clutches you have and how much was the complete job? Also, if you could share a little about the clutch feel....thanks.....

I am in the market for a NSX...Just test drove a white/tan 96 Targa with 32K miles in Fort Lauderdale, FL. To my surprise the clutch has a really long travel before it catches. When it catches it was not a smooth engagement. I drive a manual stick Prelude and it is still smooth as butter clutch. NSX clutch is gone at 32K miles?

 

[Bilulan]

Originally posted by WestonNSX:
When it catches it was not a smooth engagement.

When the clutch in my 93 x went, I had it replaced and found the first 1000 miles or so had significant break in time. Starting out in 1st or Reverse was difficult to do without the car shaking a bit. The clutch pedal itself was fine, but the manner in which it engaged to get the car rolling would cause the starts to be a bit stuttery/jumpy. I didn't have it done at acura, but at a recommended place. Perhaps it wasn't done totally correct, or maybe it was just break it time...not sure....only clutch I ever replaced.

 

[RacerX-21]

Originally posted by Ag NSX:
I had a centerforce clutch installed on my 93' 3 years ago. $1300 total. I think it was $800 part + $500 install.

I would also like to know about the Cenerforce, I have heard good things about this brand in other cars, but how would it compare against the dual disk in the NSX.

 

[Ag NSX]

The work was done at Acura of Brookfield in Wisconsin, they supplied the clutch. The clutch works fine, I've put 25k miles on it and it still catches pretty well. I think there's a little slip now. I've heard this clutch doesnt grab as much as Comptech or others. I've never driven one with a Comptech so I dont know if thats true.

The price of the Centerforce clutch has gone up in the past few years because my friend got one installed at AOB about 6 months ago and I think it was around $1550 total.

 

[Black Knight]

Originally posted by hk4site:
The 97 on have a dual mass flywheel and it can't be reworked, you have to purchase a new one. About $2000 for parts (flywheel, clutch, disk, throwout bearing and pilot bearing plus $500 plus for install

yes, 97+ NSXs have the dual mass flywheel, single disc, etc.....that means the whole assembly will need to be bought new.

news update: Sunnyvale Acura has really nice service. My service adviser has spoken with an Acura corporate rep and due to my extended warranty, they were willing to do some sort of goodwill warranty. the new price is.......$2200!!! brand new stock assembly (that's every part included) including labor. Before I picked up my NSX, I had contacted Hilltop Auto and Don quoted me a $750 labor for the Comptech PGII (about $2k from SOS). Should I go for the stock or go with a street/track clutch. I am planning to install a blower within a year, but a $2200 complete job from an Acura dealer on clutch is almost unheard of!!




------------------
1998 Monte Carlo Blue NSX-T
2001 Yellow S2K (retired)
2001 CL Type-S

 

[Black Knight]

Originally posted by WestonNSX:
I am in the market for a NSX...Just test drove a white/tan 96 Targa with 32K miles in Fort Lauderdale, FL. To my surprise the clutch has a really long travel before it catches. When it catches it was not a smooth engagement. I drive a manual stick Prelude and it is still smooth as butter clutch. NSX clutch is gone at 32K miles?

Before I had purchased my '98, I testdrove a '99 with only 31k miles from a local Acura dealership. I could barely get the car moving with the clutch. The previous owner had the car for 3 years and the clutch was completely out. Even the master tech at the dealership thought the condition of the clutch was "POOR"! Depending on how the car was driven, mileage cannot predict anything about the lifetime of a clutch.

------------------
1998 Monte Carlo Blue NSX-T
2001 Yellow S2K (retired)
2001 CL Type-S

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by Blue Knight:
Should I go for the stock or go with a street/track clutch.

I would go for the stock clutch, especially since you have a one-time-only opportunity for a bargain price.

BTW, regarding the installation labor, I believe (someone correct me if I'm wrong) it's around 8 hours according to the book, which is what most dealers charge. Current standard labor rates are $76/hour at the above-mentioned Acura of Brookfield, $85-90/hour at most Chicago-area Acura dealers including the two that do a lot of NSX service work (Woodfield Acura and Pauly Acura). Service specials offering discounts may be available, and/or you can try to negotiate a discount on a large service job like this.

[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 17 October 2002).]

 

[NSX01]

Blue Knight,


$3800 for a new clutch sound high. I just got my clutch replaced at the acura dealer for $2,100, another acura dealer in town quota me $3k. You may want to ask other acura dealer what they charge for a new clutch.

 

[nsxtasy]

Just remember that the clutch on the '97+ NSX is a lot more expensive than the '91-96 NSX. $2100 is a typical price for the '91-96, not for the '97+.

 

[hk4site]

The flywheel along list for about $2000, it's a dual mass and can't be resurfaced. It you need the clutch alone you have about $1200 in the job (clutch, disk, throwout bearing and pilot bearing)

 

[Black Knight]

Originally posted by nsxtasy:
Just remember that the clutch on the '97+ NSX is a lot more expensive than the '91-96 NSX. $2100 is a typical price for the '91-96, not for the '97+.

Yes, after getting quotes from various Acura dealers in the bay area, the typical cost of parts (whole assembly: once again, flywheel cannot be resurfaced = $2000 part) and labor is around $3600-$3800. They charge labor by job, not by the hour. They've seen clutches give out as early as 6k miles for heavy abuse. The service advisor said that I could still drive the car until it starts to slip (high rpm and no go type of situation). I read lots of good stuff about the centerforce and exedy clutches as well. Anyone in the bay area have these installed? If so, I like to try them....thanks again for all of your feedback.....

------------------
1998 Monte Carlo Blue NSX-T
2001 Yellow S2K (retired)
2001 CL Type-S

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Blue Knight,

The Exedy clutch I beleive is only available for the 5 speed, replacement for the dual plate earlier clutch '91-'96.

No sure about the CenterForce, but I am thinging this is also true for that one.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[Black Knight]

Originally posted by Larry Bastanza:
Blue Knight,

The Exedy clutch I beleive is only available for the 5 speed, replacement for the dual plate earlier clutch '91-'96.

No sure about the CenterForce, but I am thinging this is also true for that one.

HTH,
LarryB

Larry, Thanks for the info. I think I'll boil down my choices to either the stock or Comptech PGII. From the FAQ, I see that Comptech had made some major improvements over the stock. The clutch should also last longer than the stock one. Hmm...though Acura is offering me something too good to pass up....ahh....this is eating me up!!


------------------
1998 Monte Carlo Blue NSX-T
2001 Yellow S2K (retired)
2001 CL Type-S

 

[len3.8]

Originally posted by Blue Knight:
Larry, Thanks for the info. I think I'll boil down my choices to either the stock or Comptech PGII. From the FAQ, I see that Comptech had made some major improvements over the stock. The clutch should also last longer than the stock one. Hmm...though Acura is offering me something too good to pass up....ahh....this is eating me up!!

I just Bought the Comptech powergrip II in July for my car. I like it, engages pretty crisply. I paid $2750 Installed, This was at an Acura dealer.
Larry B. is right the exedy clutch will not work for the 6spd trans without modifying the
trans. Not worth it IMO. Honestly, If I had talked to more people before my purchase I probably would have tried the stock clutch, even with my SC'd car. Others that have FI have said the stock clutch has held up fine.
Len
n9s5x-t

 

[Larry Bastanza]

I had the oppurtunity to drive the PGII clutch recently at the NSX New Hampshire event. Very nice, a little work required for the left calf though!!

Since I only drove it a few miles, have you gotten used to it? Do you drive it every day, or part time?

I felt like with a few days of use I would get used to it and it would be fine. My only thought is if you are used to the stock clutch, and like it, you may want to drive the PGII clutch to make sure you will be happy with the added force needed to depress it.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[len3.8]

Originally posted by Larry Bastanza:
I had the oppurtunity to drive the PGII clutch recently at the NSX New Hampshire event. Very nice, a little work required for the left calf though!!

Since I only drove it a few miles, have you gotten used to it? Do you drive it every day, or part time?

I felt like with a few days of use I would get used to it and it would be fine. My only thought is if you are used to the stock clutch, and like it, you may want to drive the PGII clutch to make sure you will be happy with the added force needed to depress it.

HTH,
LarryB

Larry, I guess it would be considered harder on the calf to most, I have a 911 also so this is normal for me. It is definately firmer than the stock clutch. I don't drive it everyday. Like you said the calf on your left leg would definately be bigger than the right. I can't say how long it took me to get used to it because I have the other car that is just as stiff if not even more so.
I would imagine that after a few days, one would get used to it.
Len
n9s5x-t