I'm cleaning up my engine before I put it back in, and this would be the time to replace my clutch. It's an '84 4spd currently. I have a 4spd and a Getrag 5spd in my garage right now and I really haven't decided which one to put on. I'll be putting a v6 in when I get the chance, but for now the Duke's going in.

I want advice concerning what clutch to get and why. This is the first time I'll be doing tranny/clutch work. As I may be using the Getrag, if it looks good (I'm not sure of its condition), are duke-4spd and duke-Getrag clutches entirely different? I see the model # is entirely different at TFS. I'm looking towards getting the RAM Heavy Duty kit through TFS. What is there to look out for? Someone said that stock Fiero clutches fail quickly, but he didn't specify which fieros. Are certain stock transaxle configs known for failing quickly?

(Am I right that 5spds mounted on 2.8 V6's were always Getrags and that the Issuzu's were put on the dukes?)

(After I got my Fiero it was driven for maybe two miles when I took it all apart. So I don't know much about my current clutch. It does shift but with difficulty. The difficulty seemed to be 'cause it was not fully disengaging, not because of clutch apparatus difficulty.)

Thanks guys. I'll be getting her on the road soon enough.
-Michael

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"A guy know's he's in love when he loses interest in his car for a few days." -Tim Allen

He who dies with the most toys... still dies.


Check out my restoration!

I suppose it all depends on which trans you use. If you go with the 4 spd - then I assume it's all the stock parts. I would save some dollars and just get a stock clutch setup and put it together. When you swap out later for the V6 and Getrag you could update to the Ram clutch.

If you don't plan on doing much 'performance' driving, you can get the stock V6 clutch unit from your local parts store and you will be fine. The difference between the clutch 'kits' that you purchase at your local parts store is the throwout bearing that's included. The V6 disc/plate will work with either transmission and engine but that bearing will be different. If you plan on using a V6 later, you can get the V6 unit now and it will be fine using the 4cyl. Keep in mind that the release bearing is specific to the transmission, not the engine being used.

MAKE SURE .... you put the disc in the RIGHT way (or the springs will rub on the crank bolts! I've bought 2 fieros for almost nothing because they wouldn't shift after the po put in a new clutch ! BACKWARDS! USE A CLUTCH DISC "ALIGNMENT TOOL" when tightening the pressure plate.

I hope to be doing some performance driving, which is why the Ram looks good. I'm also thinking the heavy duty clutch will last longer. I might as well make a difficult to replace part last longer.

quote If you plan on using a V6 later, you can get the V6 unit now and it will be fine using the 4cyl. Keep in mind that the release bearing is specific to the transmission, not the engine being used.

So, if I use the Getrag w/ Duke or Getrag w/ 2.8 the 5spd V6 clutch will work? That's great news. Am I right that when I use the V6 clutch w/ the duke I will have surplus gripping power, such as was needed for the larger engine? Does this mean that the clutch pressure needed will increase? Were 6 cyl clutch master & slave cyliders volumes/bores calibrated differently to compensate for greater force needed? Also, will it just "work" or does it actually work together and function well? Remember, this is my first time working w/ clutch; that's why I have so many of questions.

Thanks for you help!

-Michael

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"A guy know's he's in love when he loses interest in his car for a few days." -Tim Allen

He who dies with the most toys... still dies.


Check out my restoration!

bump

Forgot about this thread. I've used the v6 clutch with both slave cylinders and the pedal feel was negligible. Years ago, I used the Napa Brute Force clutch with my 2.8 when I was running nitrous. It seemed that it was the recommended clutch at the time. I ended up swapping discs but I kept the brute force pressure plate. I just looked on the Napa website and I don't see "brute force" mentioned anywhere. I'm not sure if they still carry the line of parts or if it changed names. I would say that any of the name brand clutches that are a replacement for the 2.8 will hold just fine for what it seems like you are looking for.

Be sure to resurface the flywheel, clean everything really well, and break the unit in properly before driving it too hard for best results.

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--1984 3800 Turbo / 5speed

Sounds good. Thanks jnco. I'll do that.