Which Stage 1 Clutch to buy? (OZ Lancer)

[thedeatons]

Hey guys... I have a 2002 Lancer OZ. So far the car has been spectacular, and since ~35000 miles I have been using Red Line in the tranny.

The car now has 161,500 miles on it, and I am beginning to get a shudder when getting on the gas hard in 1st and 2nd. Early on when we bought the car new we would get an occasional shudder when we would let the clutch out, but that kinda went away, except on really cold mornings before the car warms up.

My guess is that we have always had a flywheel that needed to be resurfaced.

Now that it looks like we may finally be looking at a clutch, I would like to get some recommendations. The car is totally stock, and daily driven. I do NOT want a racing clutch.

I mentioned a Stage 1 clutch because we tow with it sometimes, and throw a lot of things on the roof to haul around. That being said I would like something that is going to hold well and not chatter.

I have seen the ACT clutch kits on Ebay, any opinions on those? We are really looking for a practical, inexpensive solution to this problem.

Thanks!! James

[mcgarvey]

Clutchmasters Stage 1 for 89-94 Non-turbo DSM. Can be had for cheap if you know where to look. I got mine for $149 shipped including disc, pressure plate, and throwout bearing. 02-03 will require a different bearing that you'll have to acquire seperately.

[thedeatons]

Okay! Thanks for the update! So that is the exact same kit, just needs a different bearing.

#1 Anyone know of the bearing and where I can get it? Part number would be nice.

#2 Any brand recommendations (for the clutch), or are they all similar? I need at least OEM quality.

[JRR]

i did the act mb8-xtss in my 03 oz and it holds up to anything i throw at it. if i remember correctly i got mine at carolinasclutch.com. i then bought the rrm/clutchmasters light weight flywheel since i was already in there replacing the clutch.

[thedeatons]

Did you do the clutch yourself? I have a feeling it would be a pain.

I rebuild ATV engines and trannys, and have done timing belts and valve adjustments on Lancers before, but never a clutch..... What would I be in for doing it myself? I imagine a shop would charge ~$200?

[JRR]

yup, me my friend a case of beer and his lift we had it out and in in about 2.5 hours.

[thedeatons]

WOW!!! Okay... any installation tips or a "how to" thread? Thanks!! James

[JRR]

if you have ever worked on dsm's, the knowledge helps. just make sure you remember where all your bolts go and make sure you have something sayng what the torque specs are because that is key. and trust me 2 people doing it makes it a lot easier, especially when you have to drop out the tranny to do the clutch and flywheel itself.

[thedeatons]

I appreciate the insight... Can anyone tell me a bit more about the install? I am hoping to avoid a two day endevour with the cherry picker in my friend's garage....

[darkmitsu]

nm, guy I went ahead and got an exedy off ebay for 250$...