Ok so... I am in the process of gathering parts for my 5speed swap, but trying to make a decision about the clutch and flywheel...

Here's the plan:
I do plan on going NA-t in about a year or so, but right now I want to work on the manual swap, and other issues with the car (suspension...etc..)

With that said, I don't want to spend money on, let's say, a nice ACT clutch just to upgrade it to one that can handle boost in a year. And I can imagine what a stock Lexus clutch would cost.

Does anyone have any experience with any eBay clutches? I just need a clutch that will work reliably for a year or so. Right now the car is bonestock... would not see any type of redlining or any of that... well not till we see some boost anyway.

 

On my last SC, it was 5speed NA, i just needed a clutch to hold me over, i bought a F1 Racing clutch off ebay pretty dirt cheap.. Held up fine, as far as i know it's holding up for the owner of the car now..

I will say if it's not too expensive, get a oem throw out bearing, or make sure you grease it really good.. a month after the clutch was put in the new TB that came with the kit was squeaking some already, kinda annoying.

 

Last year I had a Spec stage 3 which I slaughtered. This year I tried the F1 and it slipped if I got on it in first(so did the spec). The F1 was fine if I eased into it until a month ago after 3k miles my right foot killed the disc and the pressure plate. I now have an HKS triple with a V160. Power+Cheap=Fail

 

I use Clutch Specialty in marietta ga for those who are local. He needs the flywheel though because he builds them from scratch. I had him make me a equivilent stage 4, 6 puck ceramic sprung hub clutch, Heavy duty pressure plate, and for all that including new pilot bearing, and throwout bearing and grinding the flywheel was 250. usually done in 1 day. (770) 955-1988 theres their number if anyones interested, I think it was randy who I talked to. he owns the place.

 

I also use the F1 off ebay. (gripforce) I have used them in many cars including my sc, Works fine for lower tq. I found the tq ratings are a little high for abuse I give them when sliding. Then again if we were making real power we would not be using an ebay clutch. My latest clutch cost around 230 shipped for a ~350 tq rating 6puc disc with the spray painted oe'ish PP. I do not like ACT's! The effect or high clampload on a motor can be a real problem. What ever you go with, do the clutch bypass mod. The mod helps protect the thrust bearings during startup.

 

Honestly when the way I see it, when it comes to something like your clutch. You dont want to cheap out on it. I went with a Stage 2 ACT with a fidanza flywheel and have no regrets at all.. Makes the car so much more fun to drive and I dont have much worries about anything breaking down so soon. Go with something with a reputable brand name, because you'll feel better in the end. Also saves some time/labor incase you might have to pull out a crappy clutch after 1 month

 

i put a stage 2 f1 clutch in a lightly modded conquest i had its on its 3rd owner with that same clutch