Which Clutch?!?

[2geclipsegst]

I have a '96 GST and my clutch is slipping. What do you guys recommend I get. Either a ACT 2100 or ACT2600??? I also checked out the VFAQ for replacing the clutch but it's for the AWD. Could I also use these instructions on my car; anyone have a VFAQ for the FWD? Lastly, how hard is it to replace the clutch on our cars? Later.

[gambino]

Can't help you with the second two questions but I can help with your first...

First off, how many mods do you have?
How many mods do you plan to get?

The ACT 2100 is good to about 350-380HP (so I've heard) if you don't abuse it . If you have power and you try to slip out that clutch you're going to end up with a nice burning smell for days. I know because I have one. If I had to do it over again I'd get a 2600, but I have a substantial amount of mods. What kept me from the 2600 was:

1) I'm FWD, I don't drop the clutch
2) fear of crankwalk (so far not much proof, but enough to make you think twice)
2) horror stories of how annoying the clutch pedal was to push in for daily drivers
3) didn't think I was going to mod as much as I did

Put it this way, if your plan is to get a big 16G or larger turbo and an FMIC I'd suggest you get the 2600. If you're going to be lightly modded and you commute to school/work with that car, get the 2100....but think about the future. :)

[CrazyTalon]

I would put up with the stiffer pedal and go for the 2600 even if you arent going to get the horsepower it handles. It will last longer.

[Cazzo]

Why not go the other route? LIGHT peddle, 2500lb pressure plate, and a close to stock feeling clutch that can handle it share of mods? Centerforce Dual Friction. Over 50k miles and grabbing. Cya.

[Antilles]

i put the 2600 on my car just recently. if you were to drive a 2600 car once, you would probably be turned away, but by the second or third time i drove my car i was hooked on the 2600. no regrets. im a really scrawny guy too, not quite weak, but small. no problems at all.
as far as wheelspin(1) and crankwalk(2) goes,
1: get good at launching
2: pray ;)

i think the FWD and AWD clutch swap is the same. the flywheel is a bit different (what a frickin nightmare that was) but if your not swaping flywheels, your good. i just put a FWD engine into my AWD car and there were very few differences on the tranny side, not noticeable unless your doing a swap like i did. the AWD vfaq shoudl work for you.

oh, and the plastic plug on top of the tranny is your reverse sensor. dont break it putting the tranny back in. (dont ask me how i know ;))

[2geclipsegst]

Thanks for the relpy guys. As for performance mods, I've done all the free mods as well as RRE ic piping, cone filter, manuel boost controller and about to get my dunk exhaust soon. I do plan on upgrading my turbo to a big 16g and in the future get an FMIC. I'm also looking into the Centerforce 2500. I don't plan on dragging my car that much however I guess I'm more concerned about how long it will last. I don't mind the extra force on the clutch since I have pretty strong legs.:) I'm not too concerned about crankwalk since my car's almost close to 90,000 (knock on wood). Anyways, I still LOVE driving my car just for the simple fact of driving. Well, I don't mind a street race here and there:D Btw do you guys know a cheap place to get a clutch besides RRE? Thanks again.

[ProjectGSX]

I have heard from very few people who have had luck with Centerforce clutches. My GF has one on her 99 GSX and I can't stand it.

For a FWD, go with the 2100 unless you plan to make a LOT of power. The FWD does not need as much clamping force because the tires will spin easier. Leave the 2600 for the AWD's.

[AudioGod]

I got the CFDF clutch and I love it. It grabs good, holds the power and I haven't had any problems with it. The pedal pressure is lighter then stock, and the Pressure Plate is rated somewhere around 2500 lbs. The only thing is that the clutch needs to be taken care of. The break in time must be enforced, proper step height must be taken into account and you gotta let it cool between runs if you're drag racing. I went 3 runs, pretty much one after the other, then I felt I needed some time to let it cool. The ACT 2600 is supposed to take a lot of abuse, but in turn, it dishes out abuse to the driveline as well.

Good Luck in your Chioce.
Gus
97 GSX

[RippinGSX]

Since you have a 96 and have to possibly worry about the dreaded crankwalk, I would go with the Centerforce dual friction which is much easier on things than the Act's and has plenty of holding power.

[2literV8eater]

I've had the 2100 for 2 years and 30K miles and it's still holding up with a good amount of mods.

I don't drag race it, but do get on it quite a few times. I've been debating if when I get my lightwieght flywheel if I should switch to the 2600, but I probably won't.

I hear all the time if you have a front wheel drive to stick with the 2100.

[2geclipsegst]

Ok I've decided on either a ACT 2100 or CFDF 2500. I plan on doing this upgrade myself, although I don't know anything about the transmission on our cars, however I do follow directions really well. Question: Should I do this myself or go the easy route and just take it to a shop???

[spyderturbo]

I have the ACT 2600 with a Fidanza flywheel and I absolutely love it, it's not even that heavy, yeah traffic can suck but that's why there is neutral. Of course we always do have that crankwalk worry hanging over our heads. Oh well, I say 2600, if your on here you will eventually have enough mods to justify it.....see Jeff at Turbotrix, one of the best vendors I've ever dealt with....www.turbotrix.com

[RippinGSX]

I still say go with the CFDF 2500 to hopefully aviod CW. I have had mine for almost 1 year and it's bulletproof and has taken many a hard launch with no problems whatsoever. You have to make sure you follow the breakin instructions to a tee which would hold true for any clutch.

[kpt4321]

I can't tell you what clutch to buy, because I'm going through the same dilemma myself. Actually, I just ordered a 2100 from Extreme, but I haven't gotten it yet so my opinion really doesn't matter.

I do know about doing the clutch swap myself, however. First, a little background: I'm a junior in high school who has never done anything on cars besides install air filters and spark plugs. When my clutch died I decided that I was going to do it myself. I used the VFAQ, my shop manual, and helpful advice from my club (NEWENGDSM), and I was able to get the clutch out myself. It took a long time, but I went slowly to make sure I did everything right. You may get frustrated, but you just gotta stick with it. I think that when you're finished it'll be worth it because you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment and you will have saved quite a bit of money. If you have free time, or at least weekends off, you could do it, but give yourself planty of time. If you can't afford to have the car down for 2 weeks, you may have to bring it in. Good luck!!

[XCHawaii]

i know this is an old thread but im having issues on choosing my clutch right now...

im going to be running a t3/t4 setup, fmic 6 bolt conversion yada yada yada i have all the parts just not installed due to my deployment to iraq. my car is a FWD.

any suggestions? and if so please let me know why you say to go with whatever clutch.

thanks

[Turboeagletalon]

i would go with a low weight pressure plate and like a pucked clutch.

it's going to give you the grip you wont. and the pressure palte is going to be easy on your thrust bearings. i recomend grip force performance of ebay


i have had no problems and have had great results

plus there desently priced