g_dc

Hey guys,

I just stopped by my transmission specialist and I told him that I'm starting to notice some Slave Cylinder issues and he agrees that it feels as if it is being kinked along the shaft it runs which is why the car almost wants to jerk forward when shifting into gear and releasing clutch.

My Q: If I want to replace the clutch and CSC (ZSpeed obviously ) what is a good daily driven clutch kit?

I mentioned the South Bend Stage 2 Daily Kit to him and he noted that in the past they have done stage 2 clutches on mustangs and they become way too heavy for daily driving and that it will NOT produce the OEM stock feeling of smoothness.

Can anyone comment on the SB Stage 2? He recommends going with the Nissan/Infiniti stock OEM clutch with the ZSpeed CSC and OEM master.

08 G37S 6MT with 95,000 km ~ 59,000 miles

EDIT: I have read extensive reviews on SB Stage 2 clutches for Z/G cars as well as on the Volkswagen forums, but essentially I want to know in terms of clutch pedal feel, is it as smooth as OEM? Ofcourse it will be heavier but I want your opinion. Thank you in advance!

axis.

What's your definition of daily driving? Stage 2 and daily driver doesn't really compute to me unless you don't really care and you enjoy the racing feeling.

I replaced my clutch earlier this year with the Exedy oem replacement kit and it uses as lightweight flywheel (I think) so there is noticeable chatter, but the clutch feels great. It is definitely stiffer than OEM (not too much, but noticeably stiffer) and feels like maybe a stage 1 or 2 on a Honda (I used to own a Honda so it's the only thing I can reference it to). Catches pretty nicely and I DD my car

g_dc

What I mean is that I'm looking for more of an OEM smooth pedal feel and engagement of the clutch. I am not looking to add any big horsepower add ons aka supercharger or tune. Just want a smooth daily driver and to enjoy the stock feel to it.

Only reason why I was considering SB Stage 2 is that it may be cheaper especially the package they sell through ZSpeed.

Mechanic said once he drops the trans he will give me a better idea but if I'm dropping it anyway I would like to replace clutch and CSC (flywheel if it can't be resurfaced).

ttv36

iTrader: (1)

I have the Southbend Stage 3 Endurance and it is a very good clutch with the RJM pedal and Zspeed HD CSC - I drove my car daily for over a month with no issues. I'm assuming the Stage 2 Daily would be even easier to drive!

g_dc

Thanks tonyHTX! That's great feedback for me to get a better idea of which one to go with. I called up Joe from ZSpeed and he advised me as well that the Stage 2 Daily is their #1 seller. The way I'm seeing it is that why go with the OEM clutch if the stage 2 offers more ease to drive.

goredcar

I just installed the South Bend Stage 3 Daily with Billet steel flywheel. The clutch is smooth and easy to drive. And it feels much more solid than the OEM clutch flywheel combo. The car feels more connected to the power plant... more muscular... more agile. I suggest you also go with the quiet disc option to reduce clutch chatter. South Bend also recommends replacing the Master cylinder so I bought one. My mechanic said that mine was fine and only replaced the slave. So I now have a spare. Oh... and Motul tranny fluid

kyro840

Go with any organic clutch. I personally like Exedy. Definitely don't need anything more than a Stage 1.

g_dc

Thanks goredcar! I'm taking the car to the transmission specialist tomorrow morning to get a few things confirmed before I call ZSpeed and order the SB Stage 2 Kit. I just want to make sure I don't have an internal transmission problem with shift linkage, assembly or synchros as well but if he has to drop the trans anyway then conventional wisdom says to swap everything out while its down since its the first time I'm doing so since owning the car (2nd owner, 95,000 km/59,000 mi)

goredcar

59K is pretty low mileage to be looking for tranny issues. I have 50k on mine and it is solid. Dropping the tranny and tearing it down is a totally different scope. My guess is that your slave and clutch are pooched and fixing that will make a huge difference. You should also check with concept z to compare prices. Which flywheel are you going with? After a lot of debate I went with the billet steel over the lighter aluminum one 😎

g_dc

Yes that is what I figured, my mechanic says from the test drive and his analysis is that the CSC is being kinked along the shaft which is why its doing what its doing. As well, letting the clutch out slowly without gas in 1st, the car begins to shake and wants to stall out instead of roll forward. Let's see what he says and when he drops the trans.

Most likely placing my order this afternoon for SB Stage 2 Kit. Just want my car to drive butter smooth!

Silver_HR

iTrader: (1)

You sound exactly like me. Did you ever install the clutch?

I just want the DM thing to drive smooth for once. Just bought the RJM pedal, but my throwout bearing is groaning and it's almost the same labor to replace the bearing as the whole clutch, so I've been reading reviews. Pretty sold on sb stage two with quiet disk, but I'm looking for opinions from daily drivers before I do so. What do you think of that clutch?

Jdragon1974

I just changed my clutch at 100k and went with CC( Competition Clutch) flywheel 17lb and stage 1 clutch..very little chatter, but very smooth and feels the same as oem pedal wise...

Waste86

I agree with tt, I have a Competition Clutch stage 3 with the steel billet flywheel and while it is heavier, it is still fine for daily driving.