clutch going bad?, time for an upgrade? Options

[BBoYRuGGeD]

aright fellas need some advice from my trusted fellow 6gcers

ok so i've got a 3SGTE under the hood and im using the GT tranny with an oem replacement clutch from exedy. for a month or so now the clutch doesnt feel the same as it did 8 months ago. the pedal feels softer (not a limp noodle, just softer), it takes longer revving now to get into 1st gear, and sunday after the GSP meet after some hard driving it starting to make some kinda squeaking noise right when im letting go of the clutch, tho it goes away after the gear engages. aright the last part only happens sometimes but a gut feeling tells me it's gunna get worse over time anyone have any suggestions and/or advice about the squeaking? think it might go away if i replace the tranny fluid? i'm trying to get the most out of this clutch until its time to purchase a new one.

second...i wunna get a clutch that'll hold the power and last very long ('til the tranny blows or when i convert to the e153). speaking for the GT tranny, i've read from spec's site that the stage 2 and 2+ will last longer but is for light-moderately modded vehicles. the stage 3 and 3+ (with better wear characteristic) is for heavy modded vehicles and "offers good wear characteristic" <-- meaning wont last as long? anyway what stage do u guys recommend? since i think my oem clutch may just crap out on me within a few months

also i jsut wunna add the GT tranny is holding damn good now for almost 8 months. goes into gear with no problem and i have no grinding problem. i got the tranny with 75k miles on it and feels as strong as it did 8 months ago right after my swap was completed im confident this tranny will last me 'til its time when i HAVE to upgrade to a stronger one

bboy

[lagos]

clutch masters is another good brand, but for some reason they want about 600$ for a clutch kit for us... it seems very over priced.

I got my CM III (a normal mr2 clutch) for about $450 shipped. This is about $100-$125 more than the comparable Spec. I would pay twice that to make sure I had no chatter - but thats just me.

my honest opinion on cltuch brands is that they are all basically the same thing, under a different brand name. people like ACT put heavy springs in ther presure plates, or no springs in their puck disks but thats about it. 90% of the time, people have clutch issues because of installer error and not because one brand is better then the next.

i would be willing to be that a CM 3 and a spec stage 2 are the same exact product.

This post has been edited by lagos: Mar 4, 2006 - 4:04 PM

[jgreening]

i would be willing to be that a CM 3 and a spec stage 2 are the same exact product.

I will take that bet....but you got to make it worth my while to demonstrate proof.

They are comparable and I am not saying the spec is a bad product. I only know what I read and there are several people that have had chatter problems with Spec II and Spec III clutches. I could list links but thats probably not necessary. On the other hand, I have not seen a post in the last two years where someone had problems with a CM clutch. This is all anectdotal and does not necessarily "prove" anything. However, this anectdotal experience is all we really have to rely on unless some competent person has done side by side comparisons or tests. My $.02

This post has been edited by jgreening: Mar 4, 2006 - 9:31 PM