Hey Guys.. wanted to do a quick review of my new clutch.. Haven't seen many folks talk about this one specifically so though it might be interesting.
I was still running an OEM clutch with my GTM Stg 1 SC. While the OEM was holding up ok, on occasion I would notice a different feel in the clutch after some hard driving, like a softer mushy feel and knew it was probably something that would need changing.
On of the local shops here in Chicago, Touge Factory, told me about Competition Clutch. The shop owner Dave actually runs one in his Evo and is super happy with it. I decided to order their Stage 3 Segmented Ceramic Clutch. I was told that it has the driveability a stock clutch but the holding power of something aftermarket like ACT etc..
They also state on their website "This assembly is suited for up to 150% increase in torque capacity." Plenty for what I am putting down and even some room should I plan on going bigger in the future.
Touge Factory did the install for me. Super cool dudes there. They took some pics that are at the end of the thread.
First impressions after getting the car back were mixed.. I never stalled the car (I swear!) but I definitely felt like a noob again driving stick.. Had to learn the engagement point all over again. It seems like its a tad bit higher than the oem engagement point. It felt a bit stiffer than I was used to as well. Competition Clutch claims there is really no break in needed because of the ceramic material they use, but I still took it easy for the first 2 weeks or so..
After I got more miles on the clutch it definitely feels much better. What I was told about it feeling like oem is spot on.. It’s got that same feel I remember and the only real difference is a slightly higher engagement point. Even got stuck in traffic a few times and never felt like it was a hassle to drive.
Once I got more comfortable with the clutch, I took a few hard runs down Lower Wacker Drive a couple weeks ago (blues brothers style
) and got on it several times pretty hard. Clutch felt solid and never slipped or got mushy like I had felt a few times on the oem clutch.
My only wish is that I had done this sooner, going to be putting the car up soon there is snow on the ground here. Hibernation mode sucks..
All in all though I'm super happy with this clutch so far. It's feels really similar to the feel of oem clutch, but it should hold up to my power needs and then some should I decide to go bigger.
I'll try to update this later in the spring after I take the car out again, but any questions let me know..
Here are some pics of the install the shop took for me. Enjoy!
Now this pic.. The shop forgot to get a pic of my actual clutch
However this is my buddies same Stg 3 Ceramic clutch on the right from his 2011 STI. It looks identical to this..
Forgot to mention, but while the trans was out I had them upgrade the CSC with the Zspeed Heavy Duty one.. was a no-brainer to do this.
Clutch installed!
