[Shotimes] It's Clutch Time!!!??

[Josh Salaets]

Hey Everyone,

It looks like it's time for yet another clutch for my SHO.  It couldn't come
at the worst of times, being unemployed and all, but I have to do it no
matter.

For the past year or so the clutch hasn't been too good.  It often has random
engagement points that vary from one end of the spectrum to the other.
Sometimes it'll begin to grab with the clutch just off the floor, only to be
normal the next time.  It also can have a REALLY long engagement period,
especially when taking off on hills.  Sometimes it'll start to engage just off
the floor, but won't fully hook up until it's near the top of the throw,
slipping the damn thing REALLY bad.  It has also chattered on my in the
mornings once in awhile, and has recently made it a real pain to get into
gear.  Lately, whenever I shift, it feels like it wants to go into gear, but
fully engage, making me pull it further before fully engaging.  The clutch
pedal also has to be ON the floor if there is any hope of shifting smoothly.
Shifting the beast has become a real art lately.

I had Clutch Doctors do the last clutch on it, and they have a lifetime
warranty on parts.  I have to take in in for an inspection every six months to
keep the warranty valid, and I just had an inspection done a week ago.  I
explained to the guy what was happening, and he says that it's a typical
failure of a SHO clutch - the clutch disc springs are trying to explode out of
the hub.  He says he's seen A LOT of SHO clutches do this.  Does this sound
right?  He also said that the clutch that was in there was basically stock,
but now he has access to some real good aftermarket clutches and he suggested
a TZ or DXD series clutch from South Bend Clutches.  You can find the info on
these under "Products" at the following address:

    http://www.dxdracingclutches.com/home.html

Has anyone had any experience with these clutches?  They seem VERY competively
priced, as the TZ sells for $430, while the DXD sells for $465, including a
throwout and pilot (do we have one of these?) bearing.  The guy that runs the
shop says they installed one of these in a friend of his SHO, and you can dump
the clutch at 7K and roast the tires instead of grenade the clutch.  This is
NOT something I EVER want to do to my car, but I like the sound of a clutch
that can take that much abuse.

I want to replace all of the wear items that SHO shop recommends, which
include throwout shaft bushings (thinking about getting the upgraded ones from
SHONUT), throwout bearing actuation fork (is this reall a wear item?), rear
main and plate seal, and new flywheel bolts.  Is there anything else that
should be replaced while I'm in there?  I know a lot of cars need the input
shaft bearing replaced on the trans on a regular basis.  Is this necessary or
even possible on our SHOs?

Since this is the third clutch for the car, I figure I'll probably need a new
flywheel, and was thinking about going with a Fidanza aluminum one from SP
Motorsports.  Has anyone installed this on their SHO?  If so, how does it
affect driveability?  I like the idea of a flywheel weighing only 8 lbs vs.
the stock 21, but I don't want it if it will make the car a PITA to drive.

I am going to see what this will cost me to have Clutch Doctors install it
all, but if it's too much, I might tackle the job myself.  Is there anything
else you all can think of that I should replace while I'm in there?

Thanks in advance, and sorry for the two pager.  I have to keep up with George
though! : )

Josh Salaets
95 SHO MTX (See it here: www.cardomain.com/id/sh0gun)
85 Omni GLH-T (Autocrosser)
Eugene, OR