Clutch kit NOT AUTOZONE - went with South Bend Clutches

Dutch · Jun 1, 2009

Hi all--
I'm looking for a clutch kit to replace a recently-installed (April) AutoZone clutch kit in my '98 ZX2, which self-destructed last night out in the boonies on the way home from Tucson.

I'd love to have the budget to go with an upgraded street/strip clutch, but the $$$ just isn't there for it....

Is there anyplace to get a decent-quality clutch kit that will last more than 6 weeks at a reasonable price? In this area, we have AutoZone and Checker, as well as NAPA (which seems to have the same parts, but at a higher price).

Any ideas? :?

Thanks!

C ya,
Dutch

ATXZX2 · Jun 1, 2009

http://www.optionimports.com/sf381-497.html

What I was going to get, best price I could find. Should be good for anything N/A you got.

cklaubur · Jun 1, 2009

Just can't seem to catch a break, can you?

The last time I replaced the clutch on my car, I used the kit available at Checker. That was about a year ago, and it feels fine to me.

Casey

Dutch · Jun 2, 2009

cklaubur said:
Just can't seem to catch a break, can you?

Casey--
Apparently not....

I was driving down the road in 5th gear, having just downshifted, passed a goober who slowed down for the short 55MPH stretch where Cactus Flower Rd. takes off toward Coolidge and forgot to speed back up to 65 afterwards, and upshifted back into 5th with no indication of anything about to happpen. Then, kerchunk!, and I smelled clutch. I coasted to a stop, left the car idling so I could isolate the source of the smaller kerchunks and metallic, jingly rattles, then noticed that the rubber boot around the clutch fork was pushed out. I stopped the engine, pulled it back a bit, and there were chunks of metal and what looked like gray cotton candy trying to get out the access hole around the clutch fork....

I don't know if you are familiar with the old L'il Abner comic, but my avatar over there
<----
is one of the characters from that strip, Joe Bfstplk....

Oh, and my former supervisor used to call me "Job"....

The last time I replaced the clutch on my car, I used the kit available at Checker. That was about a year ago, and it feels fine to me.

Thanks for the info. The first thing the network supervisor said when I told him that the new clutch disintegrated was, "AutoZone?", so you know I'm not going to let them give me another one of their grenades, er... I mean, clutches--I'm getting a refund.

This wouldn't be a huge issue for spark plugs or an air filter, but having to install a clutch twice is just stupid. It's a shame that the warrantee on the thing doesn't cover labor for the reinstall.... On things like clutches, it ought to!

ATXZX2--
Thanks for the link!

C ya,
Dutch

88scortgt · Jun 2, 2009

Here's another place:

http://www.dxdracingclutches.com/

I've never heard anything bad about South Bend Clutch. I plan on buying from them when I need a new clutch.

white-lightning · Jun 2, 2009

Must have got a duralast clutch. The Luk that Autozone sells is the one you should have got. I have an AcDelco clutch on my car for 2yrs now and it does very well.

therieldeal · Jun 2, 2009

i'm with white lightning on the Luk. i just installed one on my new beater and it looked like a very high quality kit. i've yet to drive the car though, due to other unrelated "issues"... lol

zzyzzx · Jun 2, 2009

Try CarQuest and Rock Auto see what they carry.

ciento44 · Jun 2, 2009

88scortgt said:
Here's another place:

http://www.dxdracingclutches.com/

I've never heard anything bad about South Bend Clutch. I plan on buying from them when I need a new clutch.

South Bend is the shit.

I know of two guys running their midrange clutches on some very fast AllTracs, and they've held up to drag launches all year round for 2+ years with no signs of wear. And AllTracs w/ 2 step are NOT easy on clutches.

I have a 4 puck setup from them for my Celica when i do the new motor.

FordMan59 · Jun 2, 2009

The clutch I have in my '88 came from Auto Zone, has about 200K miles on it and still no problems.

Dutch · Jun 2, 2009

FordMan59 said:
The clutch I have in my '88 came from Auto Zone, has about 200K miles on it and still no problems.

You must've gotten the exception that proves the rule, then....

Dutch · Jun 2, 2009

white-lightning said:
Must have got a duralast clutch. The Luk that Autozone sells is the one you should have got. I have an AcDelco clutch on my car for 2yrs now and it does very well.

Yup. Sadly, they didn't have anything but the one I got available at the time.

I wonder how they can get away with selling parts that they know are inferior and will blow up on you so quickly. Spark plugs and air filters and such are one thing, but a clutch ought to be covered for the whole cost of replacement, not just the cost of the part, considering that it's a non-trivial job to get at the darned thing.... That sort of thing (the complete disassociation with liability for the quality of one's wares and work) is, IMHO, what's going to sink this country.

C ya,
Dutch

Dutch · Jun 2, 2009

88scortgt said:
Here's another place:

http://www.dxdracingclutches.com/

I've never heard anything bad about South Bend Clutch. I plan on buying from them when I need a new clutch.

I'll give them a look. Thanks!

C ya,
Dutch

Dutch · Jun 2, 2009

zzyzzx said:
Try CarQuest and Rock Auto see what they carry.

I've never seen either of those two stores out here in Cactus Country (TM)....

Thanks for the tip, though.

C ya,
Dutch

EscorGo · Jun 2, 2009

ciento44 said:
88scortgt said:

Here's another place:

http://www.dxdracingclutches.com/

I've never heard anything bad about South Bend Clutch. I plan on buying from them when I need a new clutch.

Click to expand...

South Bend is the ****.

I know of two guys running their midrange clutches on some very fast AllTracs, and they've held up to drag launches all year round for 2+ years with no signs of wear. And AllTracs w/ 2 step are NOT easy on clutches.

I have a 4 puck setup from them for my Celica when i do the new motor.

I have their Rally clutch in my wagon. Very smooth action. Reasonable price too. I actually Googled for a discount code for them. Found one that was still active on a different site and saved a few more $$

cklaubur · Jun 2, 2009

I've never seen either of those two stores out here in Cactus Country (TM)....

I've seen a CarQuest around, but I couldn't tell you exactly where one is. As for RockAuto, there is no brick-and-mortar storefront, just their website.

Casey

Dutch · Jun 3, 2009

Anyone heard of "Orange County Clutches"?

Just found this today (and a search yesterday on eBay came up empty):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 0425480187

Stage 3 clutch good for 280 HP and 250 lb.-ft. supposedly. $203, free shipping.

I'm ready to buy this if anyone's heard anything good about these people....

therieldeal · Jun 3, 2009

probably the same deal as the F1/gripforce/etc etc etc ebay clutches

Dutch · Jun 3, 2009

therieldeal said:
probably the same deal as the F1/gripforce/etc etc etc ebay clutches

Ah. I've seen a few bits of feedback about those.

I guess the Spec Stage 1 that was suggested is probably the best deal, then, since I can't seem to find anyone carrying the Luk Pro Gold that was mentioned anymore....

Thanks!

C ya,
Dutch

kendogg · Jun 4, 2009

My good friend is a distributor for SouthBend. I'll post his email in a bit, I forget what it is.

[email protected]

He's a fairly big distributor for them, sponsors www.bimmerfourms.com, etc. Southbend can do anything from stock to crazy hi-torque holding Ferramic DD'able clutches.

Oh, and avoid ACT & Spec clutches. They will hold some power, but don't last at all. If it's NA - stick to a stock-ish sprung-hub clutch, you won't be beating it enough to wear it out.

Clutch kit NOT AUTOZONE - went with South Bend Clutches

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