Exedy Stage 1 Clutch

iceman1680 · Mar 25, 2011

Just got my X back from the shop after an Exedy Stage 1 clutch install. Had restrictor pill removed and changed fluid to the redline cocktail. The engagement is completely different. Gonna take some getting used to. Exedy recommends 500 miles for break-in. Just wondering what kind of experience you guys have had with clutch break-in periods. Will the clutch feel different afterwards or stay the same? Exedy also recommends gear shifts of less than 4000 RPM which I'll strictly adhere to. Anyone have any other recommendations for a smooth break-in? Thanks in advance.

laddyaddy · Mar 25, 2011

Just got mine in the car yesterday. I agree, totally different engagement. Has a much more racy feel to it, but I like!! Feels better than that chintzy stock clutch. I'm also looking for recommendations

iceman1680 · Mar 26, 2011

Wow you just got it too? Cool. I'm having real trouble engaging from 1st smoothly...hell I'm having trouble in every gear. I already smell burnt clutch on my first test drive. It just seems like either I don't give enough gas and it bogs or I give too much and I burn it. Any suggestions?

laddyaddy · Mar 27, 2011

Yeah the engagement is way different. Just go very slow with your release on the clutch until you start to get the hang of it. It is fairly normal for the clutch to have a little "choppiness", after all it is a heavy duty clutch and it not broken in. The clutch has a 500 mile break-in period. The burning smell will go away once the clutch is wore in. Did you replace the flywheel? I put in an ACT streetlite flywheel

iceman1680 · Mar 27, 2011

laddyaddy said:
Did you replace the flywheel? I put in an ACT streetlite flywheel

No just got the stocker resurfaced. Didn't feel like dropping another couple hundred on a flywheel. I'm starting to get the hang of it now. Although trying to move from a stop in reverse is brutal - chatter and studdering - gotta relearn that.

Darksun280 · Mar 27, 2011

Maybe I'm wrong but doesn't our cars come with that stock?

mlomker · Mar 27, 2011

Darksun280 said:
Maybe I'm wrong but doesn't our cars come with that stock?

I think it is a similar disc but the stock pressure plate is very soft.

Darksun280 · Mar 27, 2011

mlomker said:
I think it is a similar disc but the stock pressure plate is very soft.

Meh if I'm going to void the warranty I'd probably go with a slight stronger rated clutch but to each his own. as long as that excedy don't pop CMC's it's all good.

iceman1680 · Mar 28, 2011

Darksun280 said:
Meh if I'm going to void the warranty I'd probably go with a slight stronger rated clutch but to each his own. as long as that excedy don't pop CMC's it's all good.

This clutch meets my power needs and isn't too "racey". And speaking of voiding warranties, let's just hope they have no reason to snoop around there because I sure as hell have no plans of telling them.

mlomker · Mar 28, 2011

Darksun280 said:
as long as that excedy don't pop CMC's it's all good.

The stage 2 definitely does. I'd just go with an ACT HDSS or Spec 2+. I couldn't imagine putting in a stage 1.

laddyaddy · Mar 29, 2011

Yeah I thought about getting a stage two also but when you are talking $400 on a clutch $300 on a flywheel and $900 for install, the extra $150 bucks for a stage 2 is hard on the wallet. I don't plan on turning my car into a fq400 replica. The only mods I want after this is an HKS hi-power exhaust and a tune once my warranty is up. Then I can trade it in once the new Evo XI is out, ..if its not a hybrid!! ..otherwise I will be looking for a used fq400 in England!

chef_tony_t · Mar 29, 2011

when my stocker went out i got the stage 2, even with limited mods why would you go with a stage 1 ?

RaysEvoX · Mar 30, 2011

When my stocker went out, I got the ClutchMaster Stage 3. That went out in 8000 miles. Now I have the Exedy Stage 2 with ACT Streetlite Flywheel. An extra $150 now will save you from buying a another new clutch late.

pmbaby24 · Mar 30, 2011

i just got my stage 2 done and after 4 days my cmc popped lol

pmbaby24 · Mar 30, 2011

$900 for install that's a lot, i think that shop is bull shit.

laddyaddy said:
Yeah I thought about getting a stage two also but when you are talking $400 on a clutch $300 on a flywheel and $900 for install, the extra $150 bucks for a stage 2 is hard on the wallet. I don't plan on turning my car into a fq400 replica. The only mods I want after this is an HKS hi-power exhaust and a tune once my warranty is up. Then I can trade it in once the new Evo XI is out, ..if its not a hybrid!! ..otherwise I will be looking for a used fq400 in England!

mlomker · Mar 30, 2011

pmbaby24 said:
$900 for install that's a lot, i think that shop is bull shit.

That's about what MAP charges. I think you guys are spoiled by cheap labor in some parts of the country.

chef_tony_t · Mar 31, 2011

i paid $500 for install on my exedy stage 2, or maybe even 400

mlomker · Mar 31, 2011

chef_tony_t said:
i paid $500 for install on my exedy stage 2, or maybe even 400

I'd be surprised if even a backyard mechanic would do it for that price. It's a full day's job even if you're good at it.

hockey88 · Mar 31, 2011

I have an exedy stage one clutch kit with less then 5 miles on it for sale if anyones interested.

mump · Mar 31, 2011

I have an Exedy stage 1 and my CMC popped 6 months later.

Exedy Stage 1 Clutch

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