5sp Guys, Get in Here- Clutch Slipping Issue

[reptar_head]

So I swapped in a 5sp from a 2002 WRX almost exactly a year ago today. I used an F1 stage 2 clutch i got on ebay. I've never used F1 Racing products before, but the reviews seemed pretty decent. The clutch has always had a little chatter and harsh engagement, I just figured it was because it's a "stage 2" which of course is supposed to grab harder, etc.

Well lately it had started slipping a bit if you took off really hard from a dead stop, and would smell pretty bad. Then yesterday while getting on the interstate I was in 3rd gear and floored it, and it got to about 4000RPM and then started slipping and flared to 5k. I backed off and it grabbed and went, but smelled terrible. Got close to home and went around a turn in 2nd gear and floored it, same thing slipped and the revs flared.

So, I've got about 8 to 10k miles on this new clutch in a year, and it's fried. Anything to look for mechanically as to what may have caused it, or should I just chalk it up to a cheap clutch and go with a better name brand this time around? Any suggestions on what brand? I'm half tempted to just through a friction disk in and save some money, but the right way to do it would of course be to put a whole new clutch set in.

Also, I drive it like I stole it pretty much everywhere. I'm hard on it that's for sure, but damn less than 10k on a "stage 2" clutch? Oh and engine is bone stock.

[Green1995SVX]

When I did my original swap, I went with a cheap clutch and it lasted about 2 weeks. I then switched to a Spec stage 2 and it was fine for the duration of my ownership of the car.

[reptar_head]

Originally Posted by Green1995SVX

When I did my original swap, I went with a cheap clutch and it lasted about 2 weeks. I then switched to a Spec stage 2 and it was fine for the duration of my ownership of the car.

$500+ for a clutch set?! F that, I'll throw in $50 friction plates every year for the next 10 years for that money

[Green1995SVX]

Originally Posted by reptar_head

$500+ for a clutch set?! F that, I'll throw in $50 friction plates every year for the next 10 years for that money

Sounds about right.

[svxfiles]

On "The Racer", a 2500# SVX with slicks I installed a brand new stock Legacy clutch, pressure plate, and had the flywheel
"stepped" an extra 0.006", as I remember.
It did not last the 3 miles to the autocross.i installed a stage 3 XTD cheap a$$ clutch/pressure plate and so far it has lasted....

In The Jade Project we stepped up to a Spec stage 4" REAL clutch.

Light pedal feel,
good grab,
and if it is like all of the others that people heve installed, it SHOULD last for years.

You get what what you pay for.

[svxfiles]

Originally Posted by Green1995SVX

Sounds about right.

Mike,
nice comeback!

[reptar_head]

The XTDs aren't too bad a price, Maybe I'll try one of those. You went with the 6 puck stage 3? And yeah yeah you get what you pay for, but I seriously shouldn't have to shell out $400-$500 on an aftermarket clutch just to make the all stock motor and tranny work.

[icingdeath88]

Originally Posted by reptar_head

Also, I drive it like I stole it pretty much everywhere. I'm hard on it that's for sure, but damn less than 10k on a "stage 2" clutch?

I think this ^ is probably most of your problem. Maybe not even that you're driving it hard, maybe it's just that your driving style involves a lot of clutch slipping. I think a lot of the people that get away with stage 2 clutches are not the type to beat on them.

Get the next stage up clutch, and/or try a different brand. If you drive it hard you gotta get a clutch that can handle it, and that costs money. But see what you can get cheap, you never know.

[reptar_head]

Originally Posted by icingdeath88

I think this ^ is probably most of your problem. Maybe not even that you're driving it hard, maybe it's just that your driving style involves a lot of clutch slipping. I think a lot of the people that get away with stage 2 clutches are not the type to beat on them.

Get the next stage up clutch, and/or try a different brand. If you drive it hard you gotta get a clutch that can handle it, and that costs money. But see what you can get cheap, you never know.

Next stage up is a 6 puck, which I always thought was mostly for race, and would give kind of an "on or off" feel on the street. But I've personally never tried one, so maybe it's a misconception.

[icingdeath88]

Originally Posted by reptar_head

Next stage up is a 6 puck, which I always thought was mostly for race, and would give kind of an "on or off" feel on the street. But I've personally never tried one, so maybe it's a misconception.

The "on or off" aspect might make it last longer. Less slipping means less wear. But, yea, starting off from a stop might be more difficult.

Just don't shatter any drivetrain bits on launches, it'll grab much quicker, and therefore the drivetrain will experience harder shockloads, which is what break things.

Can STi clutches be used with wrx gearboxes, I wonder? I have a stage 1 exedy clutch that is very streetable, but grabby enough for the EG33. Maybe something like that would be a better balance?

[Conn SVX]

I am running a Exedy KSB03 WRX clutch ...Been in service since 2007 and feels great. I don't drive hard but it has 10,000 miles on it from the PO
http://www.amazon.com/EXEDY-KSB03-OE.../dp/B001B5EMO8

[1986nate]

F1 clutches are cheap for a reason. They seem to work okay for the hondas and other imports, but they've been proven to not hold up in Subarus.
Get a better clutch if you expect it to last, or have fun separating your trans every year.


Also, to note. It's not just the clutch, it's the pressure plate that truly determines "what stage" it is. The pressure plate gives it the holding force.

[1986nate]

Originally Posted by icingdeath88

The "on or off" aspect might make it last longer. Less slipping means less wear. But, yea, starting off from a stop might be more difficult.

Just don't shatter any drivetrain bits on launches, it'll grab much quicker, and therefore the drivetrain will experience harder shockloads, which is what break things.

Can STi clutches be used with wrx gearboxes, I wonder? I have a stage 1 exedy clutch that is very streetable, but grabby enough for the EG33. Maybe something like that would be a better balance?

I believe you can use an STI clutch with an STI flywheel with a WRX transmssion. Also, you can use a WRX clutch/flywheel with an STI transmission.

[reptar_head]

On the XTD clutches, the stage 4 is only $10 more than the stage 3. Maybe I'll go with that and see how horrible it is on the street. If it's ****ty I can always order a lesser stage friction disk I suppose and toss that in.

Like Nate said, it feels like the pressure plate isn't clamping very hard, so having a stage 4 pressure plate should hold up. And the clutch set up is hydraulic, so hopefully it won't be too stiff of a pedal.

[svxfiles]

We only have a few autocrosses on the XTD (six puck).
And a few miles back and forth the Autocross.
Cable clutch, very light feel, no slipping.


And yes, the clutch cover/pressure plate is MUCH more important than the actual disc.