Tyblat

Hey guys, Just looking for advice on the centerforce dual friction clutch for the S5 Turbo for my girlfriend's car. The clutch that came with the jspec motor is way too harsh and aggressive for regular street driving, so she is looking for a more mild clutch thats drive able in stop and go traffic but can still hold down the torque of the engine (streetported, eventual goal is 400~ hp.) I've had experience with Spec stage 1 lightweight flywheels and clutches, and those werent too bad, although that was in my MR2 Turbo.

Any comments from Centerforce Dual Friction users, or anyone else running an upgraded clutch that sees alot of stop and go driving?

Edit: I also checked ACT's website for a clutch for the S5 Turbo II...it says nothing available?

RGHTBrainDesign

As laughable as this may seem, I went through 3x clutches on my daily driver due to a unique motor swap (Integra) and hit up ALL of my low-buck racing buddies on their clutch suggestions and the one who drove the hardest with 40k miles a year on each of his cars told me about these guys... This is my favorite clutch, it's awesome and STUPID cheap. ACS does their homework... I'd say this clutch is good to about 450whp and shifts buttery smooth.

If you have deep pockets, my Rx7 selection was a ORC 559D Damped Twin Disc, but it's for 600whp+ and although it's damped, it's still not going to be silent or super friendly to drive. The best part about the ACS is when you DO slip it, it'll grab harder until it overheats, then you just let it cool off and it's good to go again.
ACS Stage 2 Clutch w/ Flywheel

ColinShark

The ACT is the same for S4 TII and S5 TII. I believe the flywheel (maybe clutch) diameter is a hair larger on the S5.

ACT is well regarded on these forums. ACT also publishes torque capacities, which is very rare. You know what you are getting. I like mine. Exedy is also a sound choice.

I went with the HD pressure plate (feels like stock, no joke), lightweight steel flywheel, and OEM full face clutch. It's nice. The revs drop easily, but it just requires a bit more attention. It's a great setup for a stock or mild car. Stop and go is not a problem.

Unfortunately, at 400hp you probably want an "extreme" pressure plate and/or a puck clutch. Your S5 can handle the extreme pressure plate without breaking the pivot *****, unlike an S4. Judging by the apparently soft HD pressure plate, I'd consider the extreme pressure plate for a daily driver. For peace of mind, you can replace the pivot ball, shift fork, and make sure everything is well lubricated for peace of mind against linkage damage.

Note: Puck clutches lack a "marcel" spring sandwiched in them, which is what gives you progressive engagement. The visible springs are there to protect your drivetrain gears from shock damage, but don't really help ease engagement.

My final pick is ACT extreme pressure plate with a full face clutch. Pick any flywheel you like.

Tyblat

So far my girlfriend is considering the Exedy and Spec I believe. Both Stage 1, possibly the Exedy Stage 1 HD. Anyone have any experience with these in stop and go traffic, daily driving, and how hard the shock is on the drivetrain? Any chatter?

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

i have an extreme in my car and it probably does hold 400lbs feet like it says it will, but pedal effort is way too high, do not recommend it.

and at 400lbs/ft id go with a twin plate anyways, when they are new they are like stock, its amazing.

Nosferatu

Do you have personal experience with this clutch? like you actually used it in a FC3S?....price is attractive.

DaBrkddy

I have a centerforce mated to an aluminum flywheel in my corvette. It is a moderately heavy pedal. (Not recommended for stop-and-go.) It's smooth engaging, not a jerky or harsh. The cool thing about it is when you let your foot off, it's clamped down and it's not going to slip.

And just to clarify how stout the centerforce is: my vette makes north of 450hp at the crank, has 12" wide rear tires, and a 4.10 axle ratio. I can lite up the rear tires easily from a dead stop, starting in second gear. Can't get the centerforce to slip though. Centerforce dual friction are good "street/strip" clutches if you don't mind a stiffer pedal. Excellent drivability otherwise.