Okay, so my gears have been shifting really hard lately. One night the gears pretty much wouldn't shift at all and it made some sounds. So I restarted the car and went in reverse, and magically the shifting went back to perfect. Next startup, the shifting went back to really bad again. So I went to the mechanic and he says nothing wrong with the hydraulic system and he thinks it has something to do with the "clutch cover". Anyways, my question is, if I have to fix that and buy a new clutch, what performance options do I have. I'd rather replace the OEM clutch with a performance part. I was wondering what I could buy, and what it will do for me (powerwise) when i buy it. Also, if I'm getting a performance clutch or whatever, should I get a performance/lightweight flywheel with it too? And to replace the clutch stuff, is the flywheel in the same area (what i mean by this is if they replace the clutch, should the flywheel be replaced too because I might as well do it since I'm working around it)? And my last question is what brands are the best?

Background info......'96 integra LS, i have no performance mods yet except springs/shocks. I plan on getting intake, headers, exhaust within the next half a year though.

Any and all advice and comments on this would help me a lot to make my decision, because if i have to replace the clutch, i might as well spend a few extra dollars to get a performance clutch so i can accelerate faster or whatever.

 

The problem you're having may or may not be directly related to the clutch itself. Sometimes the one of the hydraulic cylinders that connects the clutch pedal to the release fork of the clutch itself goes bad and causes it to not release properly.

If the hydraulic system is fine and it's the clutch that's going, you can get a relatively cheap upgrade by purchacing an Exedy organic clutch from clutchcityonline.com for $254.

When replacing the clutch, you can either have the flywheel resurfaced or you can replace it with a new one. Going with a lighter flywheel will make the engine a bit more willing to rev. There are two types of lightweight flywheels: aluminum with a friction surface insert, or chromoly steel. I prefer chromoly steel because they're generally a tad heavier which is easier to drive, and they stand up to heat better. Exedy also just so happens to make a lightweight chromoly steel flywheel. You can get a combo pack of clutch and flywheel from clutchcity for a total of $576.

 

I have to disagree. Sounds like the problem is a spring in the disc hub that is coming loose. It is common for them to pop loose and they can even pop back allowing the car to drive normall for a short time. You won't have too much longer before the disc fails completely if this is the case. I've seen this in 3 clutchs in my Intergras that I have changed. Some worse than others but none were ignorable.

On the clutch note . . . I have had the WORST experience with Exedy clutches and an even worse experience with their customer service. I had an Exedy fail last year with only 7,000 miles on it. The hub cracked and a piece came off. I was fortunate enough to have a company warranty it for me despite Exedy's attitude that it could not be thier product.

I personally have used ACT with good results so far. I would recommend something like their HDSS kit. This is considerably more money than Exedy but when you considered I had to do the clutch change 2 times in 7,000 miles forking out antoehr $125 would have been well worth it (Considering it cost me $ to ship and get a new clutch shipped to me).

As for Flywheels, I have not had any issue with Aluminum flywheels and seen no benefit to having a 9lb flywheel over a 7 pound flywheel. I have a Fidanza Lightweight Flywheel that is right around 7 pounds and it has been great. Even to drive it has been easy to control and hardly noticable. You can pick them up for like $200 shipped as well. I have never heard the part about Chromoly handling heat better. Seems the Aluminum would disappate heat better if i was just thinking about material propertires.

Just my thoughts.