Clutch vs Mileage

[newby]

I've got about 38K on the odometer of my 97 NSX-T. I've been reading up on clutch replacement throughout this forum and I'm surprised at the cost ($2500+).

For those of you who have replaced your clutch.... how many miles did you have on her at the time of replacement?

I've tested the clutch and so far it seems to be just fine. But I do smell a bit of burning when I let it out slow on quick take offs (targa off). Is this normal or a sign of an upcoming replacement?

How many miles do some of you have where you are still on the original clutch?

Thanks

Adam

 

[nsxtasy]

Hi Adam,

I've been reading up on clutch replacement throughout this forum and I'm surprised at the cost ($2500+).

The cost of $2000-2500 is for the '91-96 clutch. Yours is more like $3000-3500.

For those of you who have replaced your clutch.... how many miles did you have on her at the time of replacement?

Clutch mileage varies. A few people have had to replace it at 20K, and a few others have gotten 90-100K on it. Most tend to fall into the range of 35-50K miles.

I've tested the clutch and so far it seems to be just fine. But I do smell a bit of burning when I let it out slow on quick take offs (targa off). Is this normal or a sign of an upcoming replacement?

It's not a sign of an upcoming replacement, but it is a sign that you are wearing the clutch more than you need to. The best thing you can do for the clutch is to minimize the amount of time spent in the transition, where the most wear occurs. That means letting it out as quickly as possible. That will maximize the life of your clutch.

(You can tell when a clutch will need replacement soon by noticing that it is slipping - meaning that instead of engaging quickly, the revs seem disconnected from the road speed.)

 

[newby]

thanks for the information. I wasn't too excited to hear over $3000 for a 6-speed clutch replacement
I guess expensive cars are expensive to fix......

I usually don't let the clutch out slow because I know it's hard on it..... but when your driving a 3.2L vs. my buddies 8.0L (Viper) the engine tends to bog a bit starting out. I have worked on my technique and now I get her up to 6500rpm, then let the clutch out quick. She spins for about 25 feet then grips and takes off. Much better for the clutch... but harder on the expensive rubber. I guess you cannot win.

 

[Larry Bastanza]

Dude,

Plan on a clutch very soon if this is what you do with it. And if so I would not replace it with the OEM clutch anyway, but rather a Spec Stage II.

That will cost you about the same as the 1991-1996 version, $2000-2500 as Ken stated above.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[nsxtasy]

If you want to preserve the life of your clutch, from a start, blip the throttle up to about 2500-3000 RPM, and then let off the accelerator a bit. As the revs are falling, let the clutch out fairly quickly - as quickly as you can WITHOUT spinning the tires. You can then give it more gas once the clutch fully disengages.

 

[newby]

Just to fill you in... I don't drive like a race car driver all the time. Actually I've only broke the tires loose 6 or 7 times. I usually wait for the clutch to disengage.... then kick her down. The first week of ownership I was trying to figure out how to get the most power off the line. That was when I could smell the clutch.

nsxtasy.... thanks for the tip from the start. I'll try that next time I'm out. I also do a 1st - 4th gear shift while driving in town.

LarryB - what is the advantage of the Spec Stage II Clutch.... and why is it less expensive??

Thanks guys

 

[Larry Bastanza]

It is a single disk clutch, does not require the dual mass flywheel, has better clamping power. Price is $1595 for the Stage II.

Chris at SoS worked specifically with Spec to develop a cost effective aftermarket solution for the 3.2 clutch. It also comes with a lightweight flywheel.

$2000 for a flywheel is just hard to swallow.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[xsn]

Comptech also sells a single disc replacement <a href="http://www.comptechusa.com/store/510175.html">clutch</a> that comes with a lightweight flywheel. You can get Comptech parts for less than the MSRP shown on their site if you shop around. Just another option.

 

[newby]

thanks guys. I'm hoping that it'll be awhile before I need to tackle that expense... but it's nice to know I have options.