So I've finally made it back to Canada. I had my car at Autowave the day before it was loaded on the enclosed transport back to Canada.
I wanted to write a product review and take some of the members who are either considering a new clutch or need a new clutch like I did along for a ride through my most positive experience with a very important component of the NSX.
Initial Intro
I first heard about the RPS clutch from Shane at Autowave when I got a wheel bearing replaced. I knew my clutch was weak but I tried to baby it to prolong its life. Mark at Autowave also noticed that the clutch was weak.
I considered this but I didn't want to spend money unnecessarily and with my NSX being a daily driver, I couldn't go without it for more than a day. I didn't know much about clutches but everything I read about the RPS clutch and the segmented flywheel just made a lot of sense. One of the NSX race cars that was in the shop at Autowave also was having the RPS clutch installed for one of the JGTC events. I then met up with RPS guys at the JGTC vendor booth and obtained even more info like how the flywheels are balanced, etc.
Decision and install
I figure any decent clutch + flywheel for the NSX will run me about the same or more in cost and figured it just made sense to get this kind of work done by a reputable shop like Autowave rather than some Acura dealer in Canada. Shane also stood behind the RPS product so I decided to give it a try.
The Max series can hold upwards of 400 ft/lbs of torque so I figure if I decide to Turbo, SC or NOS my NSX, my clutch can handle it. If it stays rather stock, it will probably last forever...
Don't hold Autowave to this as my circumstances were different as it was my daily driver and time was running out before I had to leave California but I asked Shane to have the clutch done the same day. They all stayed late and worked overtime to finish the job. These guys are really awesome!
Since the tranny was out and we had easy access to many areas, Mark recommended that I change the spool valve seals, mainshaft seal, drive boots, as they were all leaking, etc. I knew this before from my inspection report and figured it made sense to do it then when everything was out of the way. Tranny and coolant was changed as well. Mark had done 3 clutch installs the week before so he was extremely fast with my install. Where can you go to a shop that has this volume of work done on NSXs??
Review
Shane told me to lay off on the clutch and break it in for at least 500 miles or so. I was conservative and went easy on the clutch for about 1000 miles. One thing to note is that the pressure plate produces significantly more pedal resistance and you have to get used to it. I stalled it on the first try. I stalled it whenever I just forgot and wasn't expecting it. I'd have to say that it's at least twice or more times harder than stock but amazingly smooth once you get your leg used to it. No chatter at all, just a silky smooth engagement.
Maybe it's just a testosterone thing but I went to the autoshow and laughed at all the sissy OEM clutches in the sports cars esp. the 911 and Carreras. This is the kind of clutch that needs to be in the NSX! Takes a little getting used to it, but I now yearn for it.
The engagement point is sooner and with the additional force, it's very easy to stall it. Feels like the Ferrari's stiffer clutches, though I think the RPS is even stiffer.
The flywheel is extremely responsive and revs so quickly now. The OEM flywheel was slow to spin up and was slow to rev down. The Cyn-R-G flywheel @ 9.5 pounds is not the lightest flywheel but is much lighter than OEM, will last forever and can be serviced.
I started jump on this clutch soon after the 1000 mile mark. It engages hard "bang!" and your wheels are spinning @ WOT. I've got 285 30 18s and I chirp 2nd gear @ redline and 3rd gear at slower speeds. The difference is night and day. I can't say that I definitely notice power gains, etc as I have not dyno'd it before / after but the gear shifting has improved dramatically. I definitely believe that this is one of the best performance mods I have done with the NSX to date. It changes the character of your car that is very different than power or sound.
Pictures
With Shane's permission, here are some pics of the install...
This is / was my OEM clutch and flywheel. You can't see the second clutch plate but the one you see was the better of the two. The other clutch plate was worn to the rivets. You can see the hot spots on the OEM flywheel.
Here is Mark doing a test fit with the Tranny Mainshaft.
Clutch and flywheel installed and ready for the Tranny to go back in...
Here is the tranny about to be installed. Even Shane was helping out as it was getting late and everyone was hungry! That's Shane in the center, Mark on the right and I believe Louis on the left. Great job guys!
I wanted to write a product review and take some of the members who are either considering a new clutch or need a new clutch like I did along for a ride through my most positive experience with a very important component of the NSX.
Initial Intro
I first heard about the RPS clutch from Shane at Autowave when I got a wheel bearing replaced. I knew my clutch was weak but I tried to baby it to prolong its life. Mark at Autowave also noticed that the clutch was weak.
I considered this but I didn't want to spend money unnecessarily and with my NSX being a daily driver, I couldn't go without it for more than a day. I didn't know much about clutches but everything I read about the RPS clutch and the segmented flywheel just made a lot of sense. One of the NSX race cars that was in the shop at Autowave also was having the RPS clutch installed for one of the JGTC events. I then met up with RPS guys at the JGTC vendor booth and obtained even more info like how the flywheels are balanced, etc.
Decision and install
I figure any decent clutch + flywheel for the NSX will run me about the same or more in cost and figured it just made sense to get this kind of work done by a reputable shop like Autowave rather than some Acura dealer in Canada. Shane also stood behind the RPS product so I decided to give it a try.
The Max series can hold upwards of 400 ft/lbs of torque so I figure if I decide to Turbo, SC or NOS my NSX, my clutch can handle it. If it stays rather stock, it will probably last forever...
Don't hold Autowave to this as my circumstances were different as it was my daily driver and time was running out before I had to leave California but I asked Shane to have the clutch done the same day. They all stayed late and worked overtime to finish the job. These guys are really awesome!
Since the tranny was out and we had easy access to many areas, Mark recommended that I change the spool valve seals, mainshaft seal, drive boots, as they were all leaking, etc. I knew this before from my inspection report and figured it made sense to do it then when everything was out of the way. Tranny and coolant was changed as well. Mark had done 3 clutch installs the week before so he was extremely fast with my install. Where can you go to a shop that has this volume of work done on NSXs??
Review
Shane told me to lay off on the clutch and break it in for at least 500 miles or so. I was conservative and went easy on the clutch for about 1000 miles. One thing to note is that the pressure plate produces significantly more pedal resistance and you have to get used to it. I stalled it on the first try. I stalled it whenever I just forgot and wasn't expecting it. I'd have to say that it's at least twice or more times harder than stock but amazingly smooth once you get your leg used to it. No chatter at all, just a silky smooth engagement.
Maybe it's just a testosterone thing but I went to the autoshow and laughed at all the sissy OEM clutches in the sports cars esp. the 911 and Carreras. This is the kind of clutch that needs to be in the NSX! Takes a little getting used to it, but I now yearn for it.
The engagement point is sooner and with the additional force, it's very easy to stall it. Feels like the Ferrari's stiffer clutches, though I think the RPS is even stiffer.
The flywheel is extremely responsive and revs so quickly now. The OEM flywheel was slow to spin up and was slow to rev down. The Cyn-R-G flywheel @ 9.5 pounds is not the lightest flywheel but is much lighter than OEM, will last forever and can be serviced.
I started jump on this clutch soon after the 1000 mile mark. It engages hard "bang!" and your wheels are spinning @ WOT. I've got 285 30 18s and I chirp 2nd gear @ redline and 3rd gear at slower speeds. The difference is night and day. I can't say that I definitely notice power gains, etc as I have not dyno'd it before / after but the gear shifting has improved dramatically. I definitely believe that this is one of the best performance mods I have done with the NSX to date. It changes the character of your car that is very different than power or sound.
Pictures
With Shane's permission, here are some pics of the install...
This is / was my OEM clutch and flywheel. You can't see the second clutch plate but the one you see was the better of the two. The other clutch plate was worn to the rivets. You can see the hot spots on the OEM flywheel.
Here is Mark doing a test fit with the Tranny Mainshaft.
Clutch and flywheel installed and ready for the Tranny to go back in...
Here is the tranny about to be installed. Even Shane was helping out as it was getting late and everyone was hungry! That's Shane in the center, Mark on the right and I believe Louis on the left. Great job guys!
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