Hey guys,
what would you recommend?

ACT HD street clutch...

or

Exedy stage 1 clutch...

Cheers

 

I'll say Exedy Stage 1. Never had one installed, but by reading some comments about it, it sounds like a good product.

 

Stock car? If so, stock clutch. No need for anything different.

 

I had problems with the Exedy. Running an ACT now, no problems. My problem with the Exedy was that the friction plate was warped and wearing at different rates across the surface, and the material was starting to fall apart. I wasn't tracking the car or anything...just a daily driver w/9k beeps once a day.

 

Stock is Exedy, my first was replaced at 96k and was working fine but I decided to put a new on in since I was getting a new engine. The factory Exedy clutch is very good and not a common failure point. Premature failure is typically do to the owner not knowing how to drive stick properly.

 

Exedy

the act is a lot heavier in clutch feel.

 

With the Exedy do I need to buy anything else? I plan to just machine the stock flywheel when i put the new clutch on.
Some ebay listings say this:

Note: Must use adapter/ counterweight balance N3Z2-11-52X (Not Included)

Is this something i should worry about?

Cheers, Daniel

 

YEP... That's right, and that's completely true! My clutch and pressure plate could have lasted another 150,000 miles when my release bearing broke and had it replaced. Didn't know that I could have just bought that piece separately, nevertheless, it was all replaced at 135,000 miles.

 

I tried both and like both. ACT has a more raw and aggressive grab than the Exedy. It did require a bit more calf strength but I was already used to it since I ran this on my 2g DSM. Exedy is daily driver friendly but I have noticed it doesn't grab as good as the ACT did in the higher RPM's 9k+. I replaced the ACT when I swapped out my tranny about a year ago. I am happy with the Exedy as it seems to be a bit more smoother in engagement paired up with my lightened flywheel.

 

Are you making more than 200 or so WHP? if not, i've been doing this stuff for 12 years on a stock clutch:

 

Stock clutch for most drivers. Light forced induction below lets say 280-300whp the "Stage 1" Exedy is perfect. I wouldnt move up to an ACT until above 300whp and even then a ACT HD is fine. Nothing more than an ACT HD is needed unless youre doing some MAJOR HP modifications that go into fully built motor or engine swap to like REW territory. And even then, if you aren't going to be racing it then a ACT HD should still be good for most owners even with numbers around 350-360whp.

 

Agreed, trying both clutches made me realize there really is no need for an upgrade from the stock. The funny thing is that the higher clamping force of the ACT actually made the Rx8 feel like it had more torque according to the buttocks-dyno -lol.