Replacing Stock Clutch Had Couple ?? - Honda Prelude Forum

topeteeric · 07-06-2009, 01:35 PM

98 honda prelude base model.

Im having my clutch replaced by my girlfriends father, he is a gm tech. I know little about cars, i'm a computer tech...but learning more about cars. Im either replacing with OEM parts (which is what he thinks i should do) or going aftermarket (which i want to do to improve performance), havent decided yet. So far my choice is centerforce dual friction clutch and fidanza 8lb flywheel.

1. Is there any other parts i would need that might not be included in the centerfoce clutch kit vs OEM replacement kit?

2.If anyone has replaced stock with centerforce clutch, was the install a good one or did you encounter any issues along the way?

3. Any information that would be useful i would appreciate, i guess i dont know exactly what to expect on this repair and dont want to take my car apart to find out something doesnt fit or need to order another part.***********

pIERCE · 07-06-2009, 02:57 PM

MAke sure to do your rear main seal when replacing your clutch. They ar on of the seals on our engines that is notorious for leaking and are hard to get to usually, except when changing the clutch.

About what comes with the clutch, sorry, I don't know, never done it myself.

Kronn 98SH · 07-06-2009, 05:02 PM

If you go with an aftermarket clutch, make sure to still purchase an OEM throwout bearing.

topeteeric · 07-06-2009, 05:06 PM

Ok so throw out bearing needs to be replaced. Got it. Thank you for the information.

bouckarooo · 07-06-2009, 11:15 PM

Good choice in clutches my freind, the dual friction is a great choice as it still provides a stock like feel but performs much better; i am currently using one, i have also used both the exedy stage one/organic and stagetwo clutches and both worked well, however i like the centerforce one better. As for the flywheel, i was gonna buy a fidanza but when i sat down to figure out what i required i decided to have some weight(i beleive the machine shop said 2 lbs, but i could be wrong) machined off of it. I am very pleased with the result, the combination makes for very smooth shifting(but i also have a nuespeed short shifter/custom job done to it) and very quick rpm recovery. All in all i am very happy with the dual friction clutch but make sure you break in the clutch the correct way, many people overlook this little chore and then they wonder why thier clutch is slipping(which is becuase you scorch the friction surface(s) and they do not work as well therefore producing more stress upon themselves leading to their demise). I drove for 2000 km with out taking my car over 3500 rpms(however i did slowly work the engine up to 4500 after about 1500 kms, then at 2000 i went on the highway and ran the gears out in full function to crack open the vtec to celebrate the break in. Please, for the sake of your car break in your clutch correctly, you wont regret doing it.

topeteeric · 07-07-2009, 12:29 PM

bouckarooo: Thank you for the information, I will take my time while in the break in process and make sure i don't push the car until fully broken in. I believe centerforce said about 600 miles for break in period, ill prob do more, not in a rush. Did you install your clutch yourself? any issues you encountered? Was it a smooth install?

Prelude1897 · 07-07-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topeteeric

98 honda prelude base model.

Im having my clutch replaced by my girlfriends father, he is a gm tech. I know little about cars, i'm a computer tech...but learning more about cars. Im either replacing with OEM parts (which is what he thinks i should do) or going aftermarket (which i want to do to improve performance), havent decided yet. So far my choice is centerforce dual friction clutch and fidanza 8lb flywheel.

1. Is there any other parts i would need that might not be included in the centerfoce clutch kit vs OEM replacement kit?

2.If anyone has replaced stock with centerforce clutch, was the install a good one or did you encounter any issues along the way?

3. Any information that would be useful i would appreciate, i guess i dont know exactly what to expect on this repair and dont want to take my car apart to find out something doesnt fit or need to order another part.***********

I'd go ahead and replace the rear main seal. This seal is known to start leaking, and since you have your tranny off, it'd be a good time to replace it

topeteeric · 07-07-2009, 03:33 PM

I will ask about the rear main seal, as I did have a slow leak a couple years back that has sealed it self. While apart will have to find out exactly where it was coming from.

bouckarooo · 07-07-2009, 10:43 PM

what he says about the seal is correct, dont neglect this part. When i do swaps i make sure to change every seal that is replaceable; i dont want to list them again but i know i spent about 600 canadien on seals alone. the main seals are an absolute must, same with the oil cooler o ring, if that one goes your engine is in fukted up land with out a return ticket, do this as well. I would suggest going into the Honda dealership and building up rapport with the parts guys and get them to get you all the seals. With my clutch, i didnt install it myslef(i am not a journeyman mechanic so i get my buddy to do most of it) however i was there when it was installed. If it were my integra then i would have done it but the h22's are extremely finicky and i dont want to risk ****ing it up cuz its not straight or something. The only trouble i had was gettinmg the machining done to the flywheel, i had to wait about a week to get it back from the machinist, as for putting the clutch in it is straight forward, but make sure you use the centering tool that comes with clutch.

topeteeric · 07-08-2009, 01:18 PM

Thank you for the information. It is all greatly appreciated. Def. a good idea to replace any seals possible while it is apart, I will prob talk with my girlfriends dad to see if he can order the parts needed.

Also what do you guys think about a competition clutch? Don't really know too much about it but read a couple threads on here that were good.

topeteeric · 07-09-2009, 05:19 PM

Looking at the competition clutch it seems like a good fit, price would also be cheaper then centerforce dual friction. So the question now is: CompClutch vs Centerforce DualFriction?

The Oreo · 07-09-2009, 05:28 PM

Centerforce if you can spend the extra cash. I had a competition stage 2, and it chatters way more than I liked, and sometimes the engagement was in different spots. But that could have been another problem. The springs just popped out of the clutch on the 4th.

topeteeric · 07-09-2009, 05:49 PM

Centerforce 1 CompClutch 0

The springs popped out of the comp clutch on the 4th? And replaced with centerforce?

The Oreo · 07-09-2009, 05:51 PM

On the 4th of july yes. My car is at the shop... Waiting for the dual friction clutch. My friend used to have it in his lude. LOVED it.. I read MANY reviews on different sites.. They all LOVED it...

topeteeric · 07-09-2009, 06:43 PM

Oh ic very nice, I also read a lot of reviews and centerforce and it has a lot of good ones. I have also read good reviews on comp clutch, those are all from this forum.

bouckarooo · 07-09-2009, 11:44 PM

Ahh. the great feeling of satisfaction.....I recently chose to use a Centerforce dual friction(after watching a b18 in my bros del sol with it) over an exedy racing clutch, and boy i love it and when you get yours you will too man. I have a spare exedy racing clutch too if there are any takers......lol, actually im keeping it as spare just in case. But i do have faith in my Centerforce, but this is my first time really straying away from exedy as they do make really great sh(it) too.

topeteeric · 07-11-2009, 12:59 PM

Yeah centerforce is what I am leaning towards. But someone on here is asking 220 or 240 for stage 2 Comp Clutch kit with throwout bearing and everything, so that is really tempting. My girls dad and I will be ripping my transmission apart and taking a look to see if there are any other issues, so we can make sure once that once we do the install we don't have any surprises. Thanks for the info

topeteeric · 07-15-2009, 11:10 PM

Bump

SixpackJeanie · 03-17-2010, 08:08 AM

Bump

This was very helpful thread

Thanks!

Glaucus · 03-17-2010, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topeteeric

Yeah centerforce is what I am leaning towards. But someone on here is asking 220 or 240 for stage 2 Comp Clutch kit with throwout bearing and everything, so that is really tempting.

Yes, but like Kronn 98 said, use only an OEM release bearing. And by that I'm sure he means, one from Honda and just throw out the one that comes with your clutch. Trust me, I made that mistake and I'm paying for it now. My car sounds like there's a bunch of crickets inside the engine whenever I take my foot off the clutch - chirp chirp chirp. Drives me nuts. So just say no to after market release bearings!

EDIT: I also recommend you use Honda's Super High Temp Urea Grease