My stock 1988 GT 2.8L V6 has a bad clutch and needs replacing. What brand or type should I replace it with? The car is used for street use only. Which will be the best choice for my car? There seems to be numerous products and vendors. Thanks.

Stock is fine if ur not doing crazy racing or highly modded 3800 just keep the stock replacement

From an earlier thread...

quote Originally posted by Patrick: Have you checked RockAuto online? I bought a LUK clutch "kit" (clutch disc, pressure plate, throw-out bearing) for a grand total of $70 (plus a modest shipping fee) for my '88 Formula (5-spd Getrag). Works just fine.

It's been four months now... and with a resurfaced flywheel, the new clutch works great.

I put a Spec stage 2 clutch in mine. They are a lot more expensive, but I autocross it as well. If you just do normal street driving, a stock replacement would probably be fine.

The Fiero Store has 4 levels of clutch for the V6.

1. stock $
2. HD $$
3. larger disk HD $$$
4. Kevlar $$$$

You hate to be sorry after installation expense, so it's a money thing.

Don't get #4, not for street use.
I can recommend #3, it's in my car
I suspect #2 and #1 are great for street use also, but I have not driven them.

http://www.fierostore.com/Product/Search.aspx?p=1

Thanks for all your responses. I'll take a look at the suggestions that were made.

I had the Fiero Store #2 installed on my 87 GT. Works fine for general driving and a car with 145K+ miles (still stock and untouched) I don't do performance driving any more. I had the flywheel resurfaced. Hard to find those flywheels as most parts catalogs list the 88 neutral balanced flywheel and not the balanced flywheel needed for the pre 88s.

I just have a cheap Federated Autoparts clutch in my 4 speed 3400 swap. I have never had it slip, even with abuse.

I have the Sachs clutch kit on my 3500 swap / Getrag from Rockauto with no issues.

I previously had a Perfection clutch kit on my stock 2.8 from Advance which also worked fine for the 10,000 miles it was used for.

I have two I took off my 2.8 and my 4.9. The first one has about 20K on it and it is a Bully sintered iron clutch. It is in good shape

My second is a Centerforce II which has about 1K on it. It is a 290 ft lb which couldn't hold my 4.9 but it is in good shape and did not get abused.

I replaced it with the Spec II + which is rated at 417 ft lbs.

Either of my old ones can be had if you want one. Feel free to make an offer.

Arn

[This message has been edited by Arns85GT (edited 11-19-2013).]

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. Arn, thanks for offering your clutch parts. I also had the Valeo Clutch kit recommended. It is an upgrade from the stock clutch. JC Whitney sells it for $125. I haven't decided which one yet, but now I have some good choices.

If you're keeping it stock there is no need for the Spec or anything like that, I've always read good things about the ram clutch from fiero store... Just watch um.... you might wake up to find you don't have an ass from there shipping charges.

Buying local normally saves shipping and you have a local contact for warranty.

Arn

I also had a Centerforce clutch that couldn't hold. Replaced with a Ram clutch and it works great.

Daveg

I've got this in my 4.9 car.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ram-88644hd

It's the largest organic (i.e. stock material) disk that I could find.
It's designed as a replacement for your clutch. (Click the "check application" link in the middle right of the page. Your car is listed.)

This is the same kit that the Fiero Store sells for $20 more. ($279 vs $299.)

If you don't want to go to the extra expense, a LUK clutch will work just fine. I know several people who have them and are quite happy.

------------------
Raydar
88 Formula IMSA Fastback. 4.9, NVG T550

Praise the Lowered!

How does the driveability of the larger (larger disc, HD, #3 above) FS, or Summit "Ram" clutch match the stock 2.8L Getrag clutch? Of course using the 2.8L engine.

I have the pretty much the same need as the original poster. Don't really want to double foot or leg the clutch pedal. Looking for great driveability for normal street use with long life and ocassional spirited runs. Also with the thought that there could be a 3.4 or 3800 in the future if the 2.8 fails me.

[This message has been edited by Kevin87FieroGT (edited 11-24-2013).]

I put that clutch in my Formula. The old clutch was badly worn when I bought the car, so I can't compare it to the stock clutch, but the Ram HD 9 3/4" does not need a lot of leg pressure and I can't make it slip with the 2.8.

Thanks. Was hoping Ram would not up the spring pressure, but only add surface to the disc. Thus leaving the peddle feel stock, really pretty easy on the foot.

I used a heavy duty clutch pressure plate ass,y if you are older avoid this as My leg is in pain from this
the Ram is a great performance clutch that will not be difficult to push in
the stock clutches last a long time & work great,right now I have a LUC driven plate
with a heavy duty pressure ,,the heavy duty pressure plates are rare now ,but avoid them
there have been advances in pressure plate cover assemblies,, use the lightest one!!
a heavy duty pressure plate hurts performance because of weight
thru the lighter pressure plate unit, brake rotors & lite wheels & tires you can improve launch time & 0 to 30 time
& save gas ..

[This message has been edited by uhlanstan (edited 11-25-2013).]

From what I've seen on the Ram site it looks as though the HD 9 3/4" clutch kit comes with a standard pressure plate. I might be wrong, any help on this is appreciated.

My left knee and ankle work great today, not interested in visiting a othopede after a clutch job.

You can see tons of pics of my clutch installation at this link.
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...130314-1-085296.html

It's the HTOB Getrag from a 92(?) Beretta, on a 4.9.

Sorry. There are no pics of the face of the pressure plate.

Note...
The Fiero Store advertises this clutch as 9 3/4.
Ram describes it as 9 1/8.
It is neither. It is 9 5/8, measured.

Note...
The Fiero Store advertises this clutch as 9 3/4.
Ram describes it as 9 1/8.
It is neither. It is 9 5/8, measured.[/QUOTE]

Figures. No one opened the box to check.

Thanks Radar. That clutch disc sure looks to have some grip

[This message has been edited by Kevin87FieroGT (edited 11-25-2013).]