I've been searching and reading other threads, and the consensus seems to be that the ACT street/strip clutch is the most desirable, but also most expensive. Putting in a centerforce dual friction will only cost me $100 more than stock. I don't plan on modifying my car more than dp, cat-back and intake (at least not in the next year).

So is the centerforce clutch worth it over stock, or should I just stick with the stock clutch for now?

Also, any recommendations on fly-wheels while I'm at it?

 

Yes it has a higher clamping or pressure rate so it should last longer. Garfinkle put one in 3XOWNER s car it is smooth and the foot pressure is about the same. Garfinkle uses a 14 lb steel fw , his car will pull away at idle, and revs fast , also shifts better. he will put one in Nashvillerotor s car when he puts it back together soon.

 

I don't know this from my own personal experiences, but everyone I've asked about clutch upgrades has said to stay away from Centerforce.

I'm in the same boat as it seems my clutch is going south, so I've been researching as well. Good luck!

 

For the limited amount of mods that you have (or will have), I would definately suggest staying with the ACT, or even stock clutch (stock has plenty of force to contain the power you will be pushing)

The centerforce is kinda nice because it has a lot of clamping force at higher RPMs (which is where the force is needed), but not a lot at low RPMs, which means there is really not too much more pedal pressure over stock. However, I have heard a lot of not-so-good things about the reliability of centerforce clutches

My recommendation would be that you're not putting out that much more power over stock to warrant getting a really high performance clutch. Therefore, you can probably just stick with the stock clutch.

Upgrade to the ACT if you have the available funds, but I would honestly stay away from centerforce

Rob

 

The Centerforce clutch made for the FD does not have the centrifugal action due to space issues. I run a new stock clutch and it's worked fine for the last 2 years. I did this based on a discussion with Racing Beat where they told me that stock was good up to 400hp. Never heard anything bad about the ACT clutch. I've heard an couple of people toast the Centerforce. If I was running major hp then I would upgrade, but otherwise I've had no issues with a new stocker.

 

You get what you pay for, Centerforce is crap and I would never buy one of their products. You should be fine with a stock clutch if you keep your mods to what you listed above.

Matt

 

I would stick with the ACT street Strip, Tried and true.

 

When my FD was moderately moded and in twin form, I put in a centerforce clutch and it had decent pedal feel compared to stock but as I started to increase the mods over the next 1-2 years, it started slipping. I went with ACT 3 years ago and it feels as strong as day one. Another buddy of mine did a centerforce and within two years it was done.
ACT is the better product. More money now but no problems or replacements later. I agree you get what you pay for. I have learned the hard way with my FD, DONT TAKE CORNERS! Save up and get the better product and do it right the first time. Just my .02.

 

CENTERFORCE SUCKS!!!!!.......I bought one of these pieces of crap last spring and the thing was toast in 2 count them 2 months(MY mechanic said it was defective and he's had alot of problems with them in the past). I have some mods in my car,but that shouldn't be a big deal. I agree with everyone go with the act, it's worth the extra dough.

 

Seriously?? That I didn't know.... That really sucks because the centrifugal action is really the only advantage that centerforce has. If they don't put that on their FD clutch, then there is definately no point for using it.

Like I said before, just stick with the stocker, it'll work well for your application.

 

My stock clutch let out about a month after I bought my FD. I went w/ ACT.

My mods will be similar to yours in the future. Basically, why buy a stock clutch when you can get something even better and just a reliable.

 

You are comparing a used stock clutch and you don't know how it was treated. The material for the stock clutch has been redesigned over the years and is very reliable. I went stock to keep the engagement feel the same while I got used to the lightweight flywheel. If you have the money for the ACT, that's a good choice. But if you're not highly modified, the stocker is very good. Next time around I might go to an ACT but I'm not having any issues with the stock clutch. I'm quoting either the RacingBeat or the MazdaTrix tech manual (I can't remember which one) about the lack of centrifugal action in the Centerforce FD clutch.

 

How hard is it to change your clutch and flywheel? I would much rather do that then pay close to a grand for install. I think thats how much an install costs, i could be wrong.

 

So I ended up going with the stock clutch, the shop I took it to talked me out of both the centerforce and ACT. Not that the ACT was bad, just that any upgraded clutch would be a waste unless I was doing major upgrades.

I also backed out of the flywheel unfortunately, given my limited time constraints I didn't want to risk screwing something up.

Thanks for all the info.

BTW - My clutch finally went completely out right in front of the shops driveway, the mechanic had to come out and help me get it into the lot. I guess my timing was nearly perfect...

 

I don't know how hard it is to do yourself, but my shop is charging me $710 parts and labor for the stock clutch. Their estimate was $805 parts and labor for a centerforce, I think the centerforce clutch goes for something around $450 so you're looking at about $350 labor (just a guess).

If I bought a flywheel and gave it to them they said they'd put it in for no extra cost.

 

COOL! I must have 400HP then! My stock clutch is 1 year old and it has NEVER had one dump on it. Not one. With:
* RE-Amemiya ECU
* 12psi
* Full exhaust
As soon as I put on my FMIC and tuned it the ****** started slipping. First it would just take ages to do the 3-4 shift, now when the second turbo kicks in when in 3rd,4th and 5th the clutch slips. Full throttle in 5th anywhere from 2000rpm up gives me slip.

I'd like to think I'm making 400HP but that seems a little far fetched.

-pete

 

Well I've taken my car drag racing a few times and run it hard for 2 years with no slipping yet. I'm just quoting RB - you can call them yourself if you'd like. 400 sounds like a lot to me also but that's what they said.

I did put in the aluminum flywheel at the same time so the clutch friction surface was also new. Was your flywheel machined prior to installing the new clutch?

 

A bit late but my expereince with the CFDF was excellent at 350 RWHP until I tried drag race launches. Taking the car to the dragstrip with a couple of clutch drop launches turned the CFDF into a smelly slipping POS. No problems with the ACT Extreme Street/Strip after similar abuse.

 

Yep flywheel was machined. Oh well - more money I dont have

-pete

 

The Centerforce is pretty nice if you make more power, want stock-like pedal effort with smooth engagement, and don't drag race. I've had one for 40K miles or so and it is still holding. I did have it slip one day recently (slipped on the highway), but it I am not sure what happened because it isn't slipping anymore (or at least it isn't obvious).

However, I would probably get an ACT if I was shopping for a clutch now. The downside is the big increase in pedal effort, but it sounds like it would hold up to launches much better from the reports I have read over the years.

The CFDF clutch does not have weights for the FD.

-Max

 

Two words......stay away.... from Centerforce DF clutch. I've had one for two years now. In the beginning I experienced slipping even after a good period of break in. After a year went by noticed some more slipping but then it went away again and was fine. NOW......check this out !! My car is down for an engine replacement and we just noticed something totally WACKED wih my clutch !!!! On the friction disc it appears to have a good amount of life left after over 2 yrs. BUT......all of the friction pads on the disc just came undone and have fallen off completely !! There are 8 friction pads and they ALL fell off with no pressure applied to them whatsoever.....almost if they had been glued with elmers glue or something. THere is absolutely no way this should've happened. I had all 8 of the pads in hand and placed them in a small plastic bag. I immediately contacted Centerforce and they were actually very responsive and told me to send the whole assembly back so that they can inspect it and do whatever is necessary to fix it. After 2 yrs. if they fix it....I'll be very happy. SO, hopefully they don't screw me over. I'll report back when they resolve this issue.

 

I've never had a single problem with my CDDF. They important thing about the Centerforce clutches is the break in period. They will make or beak (really) the rest of the useage.
I have over 300 rwhp and have no problems with mine, it doesn't slip and the pedal engagemnet is nice.
Gordon uses one on his 400+ rwhp car and doesn't have any problems with his.
However, when the time comes I will be upgrading to a ACT Street/Strip clutch.

 

silver93tt had a CDDF and it failed he put in a act s/s and its working great! i have the ACT Extreme PP and RB Six puck sprung disk. it grabs and never slips. that's all i can ask for..... anyone who knows me knows i like to abuse my clutches....
i have the act extreme pp and act unsprung six puck on my TII and its also holding all the power even with my abusive driving

go act and you won't regret it !

 

Well, one good thing I can say about them is that they have an Awesome Customer Service ! They just said that they will be sending me a totally new clutch assembly ! Even though I had my other clutch for over two years and the warranty is only 90 days. They agreed that there was a defect and corrected the problem instead of telling me to **** off which they easily could have. They didn't even ask me for a receipt.