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

[Ian Fisher]

Is Clutch Doctors doing to give you any credit towards this since their
clutch has failed?

A informed source in upstate NY has said that the flywheel insert on the
Fidanza is too small for the stock clutch disc. The SHOshop Al flywheel
might be a better setup.

Southbend sells package Fidanza/South Bend clutches at a discount. You
might want to check into that.

You don't need to replace the clutch fork, maybe use some steel wool to
clean it up so that it swings nicely (also a trick by my informed NY
source).

Ian



-----Original Message-----
From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net
[mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Josh Salaets
Sent: Saturday, February 22, 2003 2:56 PM
To: SHOtimes
Subject: [Shotimes] It's Clutch Time!!!??


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
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