My 300rwkw Clutch Search - R34

[SS8_Gohan]

Hi all

ok, it's come to my attention, or should i say, it's been brought to my attention that a stock clutch is not meant to handle 250rwkw, let alone 300rwkw. I did not know this (well at 250, i wasn't thinking about it) and with upcoming track days and extra tuning it seems i have a ticking time-bomb on my hands. (i think my clutch is doing fine )

So, i've started my search for a clutch that can handle 300rwkw (what the car will be soon) and maybe a touch more.

-R34

-manual

-300rwkw+

-Daily driver (well not daily, but it's my only car)

-No drags (car will see next to no launches)

-Some track work (real track, with turns)

-Drifting unlikely

That's the start.

Now from what i've read, these manufacturers/people would be my most obvious options. Anyone else i should look at?

- Nismo (Gmax or Super Coppermix)

- Exedy

- Xtreme

- Jim Berry

Both Exedy and Xtreme seem to have a whole bunch of products, but i take it that my options would be narrowed for the 300rwkw+ range, and that's what i was hoping to get some advice on. Which particular models from the manufacturers (Exedy/Xtreme) would i be looking at?

Would i be right in saying there isn't much difference in peoples opinions of Exedy and Xtreme?

Obviously Nismo make some great streetable clutches that can handle BIG power (the gmax / super coppermix) but are also BIG dollars. Couple things with Nismo...

-Gmax clutches are discontinued?

-Any difference between silver or red covered gmax's?

-Did the Super coppermix replace the Gmax?

-Do both gmax/super coppermix come with lightened flywheels?

Rebuilding:

If i found a Gmax/Super coppermix that needed rebuilding, would this perhaps be the most desirable option if i could find a blown clutch at a decent price? My thoughts are that you end up with a streetable, very tough clutch, with i think lightened fly wheel, brand new but without that massive brand new Nismo price tag.

And lastly, Jim Berry. Yes there's a tiny bit of negative feedback going around regarding "that" particular case, but after bringing up result after result from 2006 to present with 99.9% raving about his clutches, i'd be happy to get one. But not sure where they stand relative to a rebuilt Nismo twin plate? And does Jim need my stock clutch, or parts of, meaning the car is off the road for a while?

So yeah, that's what i've dug up so far and i hope this turns out to be a useful resource for other people in the same boat.

I'm hoping to get some models i can chase down from Exedy/Xtreme to fit my needs (if you guys want to throw me some model names ), get some prices from as many people/traders as possible, report back and let you all know what i found, how much and who from.

Also try and get some quotes regarding Nismo rebuilds and Jim Berry quotes.

if there are any other brands i've overlooked that fit my needs, let me know

cheers,

chinny

[joeyjoejoejuniorshabadoo]

nismo super coppermix single plate with f/wheel...

that's my next clutch when this one blows up...

i wish it would hold together forever as i love my clutch.... no-one knows what it is... it was in the car from japan, and it drivespretty much as easily as the stocker, yet it has survived the last 12 months getting kicked/sidestepped and slipped with 300rwkw, and for 4 years with 185rwkw before that!

i can help you out on a price for the nismo item, pm me

[donkeypunch]

hey there,

ive got a R33 GTR, 310AWKW i have a HKS twin plate, lightweight flywheel, its really good, easy to use, my girlfriend jumped in car and drove straight away, cant fault it really!

[Birds]

Exedy cushion button is a fairly good option. Not too bad on the street (albeit not as daily friendly as a Jim Berry) and will definitely handle the power.

[Jap_Muscle]

ive been driving around in my 300kw r34 for about 3-4months and have decided i want more power. so im about to put my Exedy Hyper Metal Single Plate Clutch up for sale. ill need either a twin or triple soon.

the clutch has been on the car for about 3-4months but is only ever driven on the weekend so you can rest assure its in good shape.

the problem with twin plate clutches is that youll be paying around 2000+ for one, although HKS are great except to pay another $500 ontop. you also have to bear with the noise it makes when u clutch in....kinda sounds like a loud clattering noise.

Nismo copper mix is prob one of the best Single plate clutch you can get. but you lookn at an easi $2500-3000. Since your only aiming for around 300kw.....stick to a single plate. it ensures drivability with great control at that powerange.

i absolutely loved my exedy single plate and would recommend nothing else for that powerange. The RE Customs R34 is running 350rwkw with the same clutch so youve got some leg room as well.

If your serious about a new clutch and interested in mine, PM me Daniel.

my cars also at RE customs so maybe we can work something out =D

Edited May 21, 2009 by Jap_Muscle

[33driver]

If you want a Jap clutch, go Nismo or ORC if you want something local, can't go past Jim Berry clutches, had one in my old Z and would have put one in my skyline if I didn't get such a good deal on the ORC (single plate - 400ps).

[joeyjoejoejuniorshabadoo]

Exedy cushion button is a fairly good option. Not too bad on the street (albeit not as daily friendly as a Jim Berry) and will definitely handle the power.

not rated for 300rwkw

260 if i remember correctly

for 300 you need the hyper single i think its called

[allthewaytotheskyline]

i had jim berry make mine up, he made me up a 6puck carbotics button clutch with a 33gtr pressure plate with built up to 3200lbs pressure.

feels almost like standard and is good for up to 350rwkw.

give him a call...ill tell you now its half the price of these brand name b/s and i personally believe alot better.

[SS8_Gohan]

Spoke to Jim today, great guy

but, i think i found a clutch, JB, but it's rated at 4400lb! obviously that's going to handle the power, but is a 4400lb JB (still single plate) going to be nasty on the street?

(this clutch has travelled about 80k's)

[joeyjoejoejuniorshabadoo]

why 80k's?

did the owner hate driving it on the street and go to something easier?

[SS8_Gohan]

car was in an accident passenger side hit

seems ok otherwise, don't think it would affect a clutch being in a side hit?

[MattD]

I'm running a C.I Performance drift series twin plate. Can handle upto 400kw. Im only pumping out 300.

Very streetable for a twin plate, but very noisy, a lot of chatter too.

[joeyjoejoejuniorshabadoo]

chshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh chink chshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh clink

[Ronin 09]

Nismo coppermix twin (red cover) - quiet, drives like stock.

expensive - but fantastic.

had a ORC non-damped and it was literally a light switch.

make sure you get a sprung centre.

[Jap_Muscle]

Spoke to Jim today, great guy

but, i think i found a clutch, JB, but it's rated at 4400lb! obviously that's going to handle the power, but is a 4400lb JB (still single plate) going to be nasty on the street?

(this clutch has travelled about 80k's)

have u ever driven anything other then the OEM clutch?

its hard to explain to you how nasty a clutch is for the street unless youve experienced something aftermarket.

when you start using twin/triples....and some singles......rather then some play....its a on/off style clutch.

[ahh 33 s2]

no one has mentioned os ill be looking at an os twin for my 26 gtst

[SS8_Gohan]

posted this in the JB thread, but thought i'd ask in here as well...

is there any sort of direct correlation between clamping pressure and drive-ability? i've found a GTR Jim Berry clutch that's fine for my R34 GT-T (both pull type clutches) but it's clamping force is 4400lb - which seems to be a decent amount higher than the majority of figures that are around 3500lb.

The clamping force alone sounds like it's more than up to the task but i wasn't sure if that translated to being a pig on the road?

[SLAPS]

I've been running an Exedy GTR 4puk solid button for some time behind the RB30DET making a little over 300rwkw so making a fair bit more torque than the average rb25/26. I went with the GTR clutch as they run the heaviest pressure plate.

No issues with slip. Bites nicely and is very streetable.

My old Extreme clutch was fairly useless.. Shuddery, very heavy on the leg and would slip easyish. I put it down to different materials as there was a noticeable difference in the look of the material.

Edited May 25, 2009 by SLAPS

[SS8_Gohan]

hmmmmm... this talk of shuddering... do stock clutches ever shudder? i'm talking like low revs, 1st gear, pulling into a driveway, etc...

[Sheriff Wan]

Not unless they are on the way out....