Aftermarket clutch from Schaeffler...

[Seamusmc]

Hello all,

Maybe of some interest to you? Shifter is good, but could be tighter. See below the response after my inquiry:


We appreciate your interest in LuK Clutches! Regarding your inquiry, we are currently in development for an aftermarket clutch kit for your application, however, it has not yet been approved for release.

Schaeffler Group USA Inc.
Automotive Aftermarket
5370 Wegman Drive
Valley City, OH 44280
TEL: 800-274-5001 ext 5265 • FAX: 330-558-5365

Three pedals and a gear box that's all I need

 

[camthman]

soo.... why dont you use a different clutch.....

 

[Seamusmc]

Good question.

Because there is no aftermarket clutch (5spd manual) that I know of that fits. Do you know of any? I....'d be happy to hear any suggestions.... Maybe someone here knows?

 

[milehighmikey]

Just curious, why not use the OEM? Is it the price, or do you see a problem with durability for our torque monster 3.0 V6 engines?

I've got 102K miles on my current clutch, and on the car that I got totalled out on me last year, I had 109K miles. No problems with either clutch and each clutch has seen its fair share of forceful drops into second gear with high engine rpm and torque (to get a chirp when shifting, in other words).

If I need a new one, I will go with OEM. I hadn't known that there was no aftermarket on these things, but still, I saw no reason to look around for replacements from the aftermarket.

 

[Seamusmc]

Thanks for your question.

I have driven some smooth shifting cars and in compareson --why wouldn't I want that in mine --it's a little loose. Granted, the shifter needs and upgrade too. But the clutch is a good start. I'm thinking anyone who is upgrading the engine performance (the new BDT available or any turbo for that matter, port/ polish, rear end etc...) would like to upgrade this as well. I see it as beeing a better, more worth while upgrade compared to the (drilled and) slotted rotors, brembo breaks used for the track, 20" forged wheels, or expensive tire sets many on here have. I see that as more of a waste. The clutch sees everyday use more often than those slotts, or the "ultra-high" performance tires or Brembos do.

Neither one of the V6/8's are monster torque engines, built for the track. Maybe a better question is why upgrade anything? Ask QuickLS or ILLS or anyone else messing with thier performance the same question.

Don't know why there is such push-back on this clutch thing.


S


"three pedals make a car"

 

[milehighmikey]

Ok, I understand why you would want an aftermarket for our model of car now.

I didn't want to give the impression of pushing back, because I'd also be interested in something in the clutch department for when I need to replace, especially if OEM pricing ends up being way too much for that type of parts kit. (pressure plate, disk and throw-out bearing/slave cylinder assembly). Competition would be good in that department, to help balance pricing.

I don't really understand how a clutch would affect the smoothness of your transmission's shift feel, though. If your clutch releases the engine rotation all the way, then it is transparent to the transmission. When you let off the clutch, it should be more of a binary thing when you shift, so it is either fully released, then fully engaged when you are actually doing shifts. How can this affect shifting smoothness? I am looking for education, not flaming, in case you perceive this to be an arrogant question.

If you are indeed seeing problems with gear selection issues, I would suspect the transmission. In fact, my 5-speed has had a bad 2nd gear synchro since I took ownership a year ago. I just have to pause a half second when shifting into 2nd to allow a beaten up synchro to speed up or down, as the case dictates. I cannot see how the clutch would have any effect on this, though.

Oh, and I agree with you about the things that are true performance upgrades for these cars. There is nothing but goodness in that area of exploration, in my opinion. I didn't really see the clutch in this car as in need of improvment, especially when it is only mated to the V6 engine in this vehicle line.

Take care.