Need clutch. Main concern is pedal feel.

stockms3

Greenie N00B Member
I have researched different clutches, read different threads. However, my main concern is pedal feel. I need it to be as close to stock as possible. Before you call me a pussy I have a connective tissue disorder and my tendons often hurt (it is quite shitty).


My car is built, running CS turbo @ 23psi and LUK/Fidanza combo is slipping.

Anyway, what I have learned so far:

ACT 6 puck - most popular option, apparently ACT recently reduced the required force to press the clutch pedal but still harder than stock.

SPEC stage 3+ - a guy that reviewed the clutch on Edge is claiming that it is lighter than stock and it would be sufficient even if I add meth to my setup. This is why I am leaning towards this clutch. However, I did read bad things about it on several forums.
Southbend - i have read different threads about different stages but all I heard was that it is quite heavier than the stock clutch.


Anyone want to chime in and talk about their setup? Maybe someone with a SPEC clutch?
 
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Luk dual mass and Luk clutch would be my pick. That is next thing going in. When I can throw down $

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My luk/fidanza has been slipping on k04+e85 and now on CS + 93. I have read that for some it holds for others it does not.

I guess I could just lower boost but that's no fun.
 
Since we are on the topic, I've often wondered the holding capacity of the LuK DM FW/Clutch combo. Carry on.
 
I can speak about the ACT 6 puck. i dont think pedal effort increased much at all, but it is extremely grabby. if you drive in alot of stop and go traffic i would not recommend it. i love it on the track though
 
You're in IL.... come to Midwest and you could feel different clutch setups. I'll be there with my SB stage2 endurance. I will say that it felt a lot harder than stock at first but I don't perceive it as hard now. I think it's a bit of it loosening up and me getting used to it.
 
I got the SB S3 Endurance installed and it's like a 100 lb pedal that I have to mash all the way to the floor just to get it to release. It's REAL springy and REAL low. It also grabs literally the second you start to lift your foot. I don't know if it stays like this or if it just has to break in, but this sucker is literally the complete polar opposite of stock pedal feel and I could never recommend it for someone with your type of condition...at least when it's brand new.
 
I have SB S2 and it is pretty heavy pushing down the clutch but spring back strong. For your condition you probably don't want the SB.
 
You're in IL.... come to Midwest and you could feel different clutch setups. I'll be there with my SB stage2 endurance. I will say that it felt a lot harder than stock at first but I don't perceive it as hard now. I think it's a bit of it loosening up and me getting used to it.

I would love to come out but I'm in a middle of complete remodel of a house. I don't think I could make it.

But I think I can disqualify SB, by looking at the posts lol.
 
My SB S3 is very well broken in and is still super springy and grabs right off the floor. Love it, but as others said, might not be for you.
 
Clamping force holds the clutch together. when you push the pedal you must overcome that clamping force to disengage the clutch period!
The more clamping force the more pedal effort. Southbend stage 3 end is a bitch. A lot of people downplayed how bad the pedal would be so i went with it and i had a WTF face the first time i drove it. That car never sees traffic and i have gotten used to it. It holds the power but after a month of that clutch It took me a while to get used to my wifes car that has a pillow for a clutch pedal. i almost put my foot thru the floor and couldn't lift it up since i was so used to putting a lot of force on the clutch pedal. it was funny as well as a realization to how bad it was.

If you want a better clutch but something close to stock i would have to say a southbend stage 2 daily would be my pick. Call them and ask how much power it can hold.
 
If you want a better clutch but something close to stock i would have to say a southbend stage 2 daily would be my pick. Call them and ask how much power it can hold.
SB stage 2 all have the same spring, just the friction material is different. The daily is both sides organic and the Endurance is one side organic one side kevlar (IIRC). And he already decided against SB whether stage 2 or 3 based on descriptions.

His problem is he is looking for a 450 ft-lb clutch but he has a 250 ft-lb leg. SB has stated the clutches are underrated, but still, the stage 2 daily is 350 ft-lbs, stage 2 endurance 400 ft-lbs, stage 3 daily 430 ft-lbs, stage 3 endurance 500 ft-lbs. The stage 3 endurance is really where he should be looking, but we've rightly scared him off of that.

I'd say you need to have somebody who has a lot of experience with different clutches offer suggestions. Maybe a tuner? Will at PD, Justin at Freek, Rob at Hypnotic, these hardcore gentlemen have probably felt more clutches than anyone what with dyno tuning tons of speeds. Perhaps you should try sending them all a message asking this question.
 
SB stage 2 all have the same spring, just the friction material is different. The daily is both sides organic and the Endurance is one side organic one side kevlar (IIRC). And he already decided against SB whether stage 2 or 3 based on descriptions.

His problem is he is looking for a 450 ft-lb clutch but he has a 250 ft-lb leg. SB has stated the clutches are underrated, but still, the stage 2 daily is 350 ft-lbs, stage 2 endurance 400 ft-lbs, stage 3 daily 430 ft-lbs, stage 3 endurance 500 ft-lbs. The stage 3 endurance is really where he should be looking, but we've rightly scared him off of that.

I'd say you need to have somebody who has a lot of experience with different clutches offer suggestions. Maybe a tuner? Will at PD, Justin at Freek, Rob at Hypnotic, these hardcore gentlemen have probably felt more clutches than anyone what with dyno tuning tons of speeds. Perhaps you should try sending them all a message asking this question.

That settles it. Time for a bionic leg.


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SB stage 2 all have the same spring, just the friction material is different. The daily is both sides organic and the Endurance is one side organic one side kevlar (IIRC). And he already decided against SB whether stage 2 or 3 based on descriptions.

His problem is he is looking for a 450 ft-lb clutch but he has a 250 ft-lb leg. SB has stated the clutches are underrated, but still, the stage 2 daily is 350 ft-lbs, stage 2 endurance 400 ft-lbs, stage 3 daily 430 ft-lbs, stage 3 endurance 500 ft-lbs. The stage 3 endurance is really where he should be looking, but we've rightly scared him off of that.

I'd say you need to have somebody who has a lot of experience with different clutches offer suggestions. Maybe a tuner? Will at PD, Justin at Freek, Rob at Hypnotic, these hardcore gentlemen have probably felt more clutches than anyone what with dyno tuning tons of speeds. Perhaps you should try sending them all a message asking this question.

Just had this conversation with @SpeedSolutions and he said he's tried many clutches. Recommended the new ACT 6puck with Streetlite flywheel. Rated for the right amount of power, but also has pretty similar pedal feel he says. I'll be able to speak to this next week after I get it installed, but Chris has driven a lot of different speeds, so I'm taking his word on it. Also, like $500 cheaper than the SB, so that's a bonus.
 
Just had this conversation with @SpeedSolutions and he said he's tried many clutches. Recommended the new ACT 6puck with Streetlite flywheel. Rated for the right amount of power, but also has pretty similar pedal feel he says. I'll be able to speak to this next week after I get it installed, but Chris has driven a lot of different speeds, so I'm taking his word on it. Also, like $500 cheaper than the SB, so that's a bonus.

Did they mention SPEC at all? I definitely won't be getting the SB as I still want to enjoy driving the car. Let me know how ACT compares to stock. Considering I will be getting a nice daily I could have something a bit heavier, therefore, ACT is definitely an option.
 
Did they mention SPEC at all? I definitely won't be getting the SB as I still want to enjoy driving the car. Let me know how ACT compares to stock. Considering I will be getting a nice daily I could have something a bit heavier, therefore, ACT is definitely an option.

I considered SPEC Stage 3+ because they have a decent reputation, but they are just not rated for the torque that SB or ACT are on our cars, and it's most likely related to the lighter flywheels that come with SB & ACT. I have heard great things about the ACT clutches, but I still went with SB simply because I liked their flywheel better and I wanted kevlar for smoother engagement to limit wheelspin. The added longevity is just a bonus.
 
the ACT is a solid clutch. I dont daily my car anymore due to the constant stop and go i drive in everyday to and from work, but i drive the car on weekends, and used to daily it with the 6 puck. If your daily commute isnt constant stop and go youll be ok with the ACT. Its not overly heavy at all, but it grabs aggressively. Very quickly, not exactly on and off switch but if you arent paying any attention itll surprise you. that is until you really really get used to it
 
the ACT is a solid clutch. I dont daily my car anymore due to the constant stop and go i drive in everyday to and from work, but i drive the car on weekends, and used to daily it with the 6 puck. If your daily commute isnt constant stop and go youll be ok with the ACT. Its not overly heavy at all, but it grabs aggressively. Very quickly, not exactly on and off switch but if you arent paying any attention itll surprise you. that is until you really really get used to it

Unfortunately, my commute consists of sitting in traffic.

I considered SPEC Stage 3+ because they have a decent reputation, but they are just not rated for the torque that SB or ACT are on our cars, and it's most likely related to the lighter flywheels that come with SB & ACT. I have heard great things about the ACT clutches, but I still went with SB simply because I liked their flywheel better and I wanted kevlar for smoother engagement to limit wheelspin. The added longevity is just a bonus.

SPEC Stage3+ should be sufficient for my power goals. I should not exceed 400 tq.
 
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