Options for new clutch MY'98 on (3.2 6spd)

[markc]

Hi Guys,

I've done the search thing and read about the various aftermarket clutches available for our NSX's, BUT nearly all of them are for 91-96, 3ltr, 5spd cars.
I have a '97 built 3.2 6 spd (actually a JDM Type-S) and the clutch is on the way out. :frown:

Symptoms are....
It's overly heavy (all the time )and doesn't completely disengage every time. The latter feature is only evident at rest so that sometimes it is reluctant to go into any gear, you can feel the car try to move (nudge froward or backward) as you gently try all gears until you find one it will "fall" into, after which 1st or Reverse become easily available and once rolling all is well. Classic clutch "drag"?

My requirements....
Essentially enthusiastic road use. The car is not a daily driver so when I do use it it's because the weather/occassion lend themselves to a breaking out the NSX and invariably a spirited drive ensues. Any of you with experience of British weather will know that these opportunities can be few and far between.
I may do the occasional track day but don't need race car levels of clutch bite and/or heaviness of pedal action. Ease of use and durabilty are my priorites.

Observations & Questions...
Factory/OEM clutch kits come with a new flywheel. Why?
Most aftermarket clutch kits also come with or recommend new flywheels. Again why?
What happens to the flywheel that means it wears at the same rate as the clutch? I guess it must the central bearing/joint/thingy! that connects the dual "masses" of the standard flywheel?
Anyone replaced just the release bearing, friction and pressure plates? Can these even be purchased separately ie without the flywheel?

I'm fairly proficient mechanically and have replaced plenty of clutches in my cars over the years. I've never HAD to replace the flywheel along with the clutch before. If it wasn't scored/warped/worn/broken it was fine.
My previous Porsche Carrera (993) had a quite similar dual mass flywheel to my NSX and this didn't need a new flywheel with a clutch replacement. Why is the NSX differant?
In fact IF the stock 993 dual mass flywheel was replaced with the 993RS specification item (a popular modification in the Carrera 993 world) the engine management would struggle to cope with the lighter rotational mass and the cars often stall as the revs decay. Assuming the NSX PGM-FI is superior to the Bosch DME fitted to 993's this latter feature won't be a problem. :smile:

I was planning the clutch replacement as a winter project and thanks to the Workshop manual available here on Prime, and the excellent DIY install thread by VBNSX I'm reasonably confident I will be able to do it, hwoever I want to determine what parts to order.

I'm leaning towards the RPS clutch, any comments?

Sorry for the long post but hopefully it make my question clear.

Cheers

Mark

 

[nsxtasy]

I may do the occasional track day but don't need race car levels of clutch bite and/or heaviness of pedal action. Ease of use and durabilty are my priorites.

Then you should get the factory/OEM clutch.

 

[NSX-Racer]

I don't understand why you didn't find aftermarket clutches for the 6 speed model, I found some with no problem. I have been going through some clutch replacements with my '98 model (with some heavy track use) and had some worn clutches together with a burned out flywheel - so this whole kit made sense. I tried Comptech clutches for track use with lighter flywheel which gave some kind of performance push together with a more aggressive engagement and firmer pedal. The lighter the flywheel the more problems you may have in stop and go traffic because the engine stalls when you engage the clutch with too less throttle.

I also changed the clutch parts while keeping the Comptech flywheel - works. Now I have a custom made Sachs competition race clutch with new flywheel and without damper springs - nothing for you I guess. But if you really want an aftermarket clutch you could ask Sachs if you could get a streetable clutch - AFAIK they now have the specs to provide the parts for the NA-2 NSX. The rest should not be a problem for an experienced mechanic as you seem to be.

OTOH: nsxtasy is right, for your needs a new OEM clutch should be just fine.

 

[NSXTech]

The factory clutch comes as a complete unit, including flywheel, to ensure it is replaced that way. It is in their opinion the only way to do a perfect clutch replacement, and I can't fault that.

Ken is correct, IMO. A fatory clutch is the longest lasting, smoothest feeling setup you can have, for stock HP and streetuse.

My .02
HTH
MB

 

[markc]

Thanks for the advice so far chaps,

NSX-Racer, Sorry I meant I didn't find many Prime threads discussing the clutch options for the 3.2 6spd cars.
Regarding clutch options, both SOS and Dali list a selection of aftermarket clutch kits and they all come with matching flywheels, none of these use the standard factory flywheel. This seems primarily because they are designed for the 5spd cars
SOS list an OEM clutch kit which comes with a new flywheel hence my questions about if & why it has to be replaced along with the clutch components.

Today I checked with my local Honda Dealer & NSX Specialist Service Centre (Weybridge Honda in the UK) who advised that they rarely change the flywheel at the same time as the clutch components on the 6spd cars.
They're happy to sell me the factory release bearing, and friction and pressure plates for £482 plus tax (approx $850 plus tax). This advice seems quite differant to the advice US Acura/Honda dealers provide.

Concensus so far seems to be to stick with the factory item or my purposes and (from the UK) re-use the flywheel unless it is obviously damaged or faulty.

Cheers

Mark

 

[surferX]

I just bought the RPS clutch and I would have to say it is the way to go. Of course, my car is still on the lift having it installed, but I still have to think I made the right decision. I received tons of feedback about different setups...if you want to see my recent posts search under "1999 NSX Clutch" that should bring them up. Anyhow, the RPS clutch is well manufactured...I saw it before install...it is very high quality! It is also very driveable (from the feedback I've recieved) which is important in Cali where you can get stuck in traffic for HOURS! I would call Chris at SOS or send a PM to Anytime. He had a long discussion with me about he clutch as he has had/driven NSXs with a variety of aftermarket clutches and said the RPS was the best as it is not too stiff of a petal and can handle added horsepower (his car has CTSC). I'll let you know what I think of the setup tomorrow when I get my car, but I'm very excited. Good luck on your seach!

 

[surferX]

They're happy to sell me the factory release bearing, and friction and pressure plates for £482 plus tax (approx $850 plus tax). This advice seems quite differant to the advice US Acura/Honda dealers provide.

So for $1K more...tax included...you can get an RPS clutch with 20 lb lighter flywheel and have no worries. You bought an NSX...this is not the time to pinch pennys! Just my opinion! I"ll post pics tomorrow when I get them of my RPS clutch install. I think there are also some pics in the Southwest forum of an RPS clutch install at Autowave under a title of something like "Autowave is the best". It's recent so if you just go to that forum you should be able to find it.

 

[nsxtasy]

I just bought the RPS clutch and I would have to say it is the way to go. Of course, my car is still on the lift having it installed, but I still have to think I made the right decision.

You may have made the right decision for you and for your priorities. However, markc is looking for ease of use and durability - not for added grip or a lightened flywheel. The stock clutch is the way to go for him and for his priorities. Remember, different folks have different needs.

Mark - if they can save you money by replacing specific clutch components with OEM parts rather than the entire clutch/flywheel assembly, go for it!