Quick question: I need a new clutch, so I searched ebay. My RX-8 is my daily driver. I found an F1 Stage 2 clutch kit- $105, F1 Stage 1 Performance kit- $94, AUTOCOM Stage 2 kit- $114, XTD Stage 2 kit- $109, AUTOCOM Stage 1 kit- $95, KUPP Stage 1 Performance kit- $95, and an AMPRO stock kit- $90. Which is best? Help please!

 

Quick question: I need a new clutch, so I searched ebay. My RX-8 is my daily driver. I found an F1 Stage 2- $105, F1 Stage 1 Performance kit- $94, AUTOCOM Stage 2 kit- $114, XTD Stage 2 kit- $109, AUTOCOM Stage 1 kit- $95, KUPP Stage 1 Performance kit- $95, and an AMPRO kit- $90. Which is best? Help please!

 

Every reputable clutch kit for the RX-8 will run you at least $$350-ish.

I flat out wouldn't trust anything cheaper. Our clutches take a higher RPM than most, and anything out of balance or not ready to handle the RPM we drive at and you are looking at super premature failure.

There doesn't appear to be too many reviews out there on Autocom, the only one I found was commenting that he went through 2 of them, 2,400 miles each before they burst, and that was on a Jeep I think.

KUPP has horrible reviews for "stage 1" and "stage 2", people recommending only "stage 3" and up, and the discussion about how they get super grabby when they heat up sounds like it would make driving a PITA, especially at low speed.

XTD and F1 read the same way.


Seriously, don't go to Ebay for consumables unless you are really sure what you are buying.
From personal experience (and many others relating similar problems) Exedy Stage 1 is also one to avoid.


The OEM clutch can handle more than any N/A engine can throw at it, fits perfectly, and will last 90k+ if driven on properly.

 

daily driver? whats wrong with stock oem?

 

Norhing... just started searching. Dealer wants to charge me $1300. I don't know much about buying a new clutch, so I'm just getting advice on what I've found so far and what I should be looking for.

 

You certainly don't have to buy it from a dealer or have them do the install.

 

Yes, a dealer will rape you on cost. Parts as well as labor.

Amazon, bhr, etc can get you an oem clutch for $350, a corner shop can do the work for about 300-400.

 

Yeah, I've noticed.
Ok, cool

 

I JUST had this happen to me. My clutch broke, my flywheel lost some teeth, and my slave cylinder went out. NOT cool! So, I ordered a clutch from O'Reilly's. and it cost $600 for the whole kit. So, i'm sure you can find 'em cheaper.

 

With those choices bro, especially since this is new to you, I'd stick with stage 1 as I'm sure u haven't done any research on this unless u plan to race it but u said it was ur everyday car. There are threads about this already u just gotta do some searching. Btw what makes u think u need to replace the whole setup? What problems are u experiencing?

 

Go with OEM style, I replaced mine at 105,000 miles, it was still good, and I do not like or need the Stage 1 I put in.

 

I have never heard of any of those clutches, either ACT or Exedy (Exedy stage1 and OEM are identical FYI) If an aftermarket clutch is under 300 bucks its crap. You would need a new disk and pressure plate going aftermarket you can't just buy any aftermarket disk and through it in there.

Also there is no reason to get anything more than OEM, its a great clutch and can take a beating, many boosted 8's here run stock clutches for autoX and track days.