Clutch replacement / who has used what ?

[par]

Looks like my clutch is on its way out and will need to be replaced, not bad going as it seems to be the original clutch with the car on 170K.

Anyone know what make of clutch the one listed on SJ Sports will likely be, any of the brands listed above?

If the Sachs type is the correct one listed on RockAuto once you factor in shipping & time it doesn't offer a significant saving over the SJ price, however if there is a quality advantage it may be worth ordering from RA.

when i needed to do one. i was refered to rockauto getting an impulse clutch. (bigger size) mine its a satch i think it cost me on the 120-140s kind of range. but i bought 2 of them with timing belt kits as well for the sake of getting all posted together.

i will try to remmeber to check the details when i get home later

Thanks ended up ordering the Sachs type from RockAuto as the consensus seems to be this is the correct size. The picture of the clutch kit on the SJ site only has 4 springs on the friction plate which sowed some seeds of doubt but I expect it would have been fine.

[Nyloc20]

My S2 is on the original clutch after 130k and all seems fine. I don't want to replace it prematurely but surely it must be getting near the time? Can anyone confirm if the Sachs unit mentioned above is still available and the approx cost please?
I'm going to be using the car regularly after a few years of little use so might as well be prepared!

[Saltire]

I have a clutch kit coming from Kelvedon Lotus. They told me that the 4 spring plate is for the N/A car, and the 6 spring is for turbos Like mine. The one I’ve taken off was 6 spring, and Simon_P advised that too. If I’m not happy with it, I’ll send it back and order the Sachs

[Nyloc20]

I have a clutch kit coming from Kelvedon Lotus. They told me that the 4 spring plate is for the N/A car, and the 6 spring is for turbos Like mine. The one I’ve taken off was 6 spring, and Simon_P advised that too. If I’m not happy with it, I’ll send it back and order the Sachs

Hi, please post up how you get on with the Kelvedon kit.

[Saltire]

I have a clutch kit coming from Kelvedon Lotus. They told me that the 4 spring plate is for the N/A car, and the 6 spring is for turbos Like mine. The one I’ve taken off was 6 spring, and Simon_P advised that too. If I’m not happy with it, I’ll send it back and order the Sachs

Hi, please post up how you get on with the Kelvedon kit.

All will be revealed in my continuing rebuild thread.

[HJ2]

I have an Exedy kit.
After only 4000 km it is starting to slip at max. Torque.
Either i did something wrong or the springs are bad.

I think I will Try a Sachs next time!

[chrisP]

Well my Valeo/Exedy version cannot take the power at all, I have had to wind back the ecu map for now and will be looking for an uprated version, if I find one I will let you know.

Chris

[HJ2]

Yes please!

[Saltire]

Well folks, the Kelvedon clutch plate for my S2 turned up today:

DF0A30AA-C271-4D26-9122-E9935F02F1B0.jpeg

4F8D0CB1-2AB7-4A41-B18C-5E4E83EC3DCB.jpeg

The plate measures 8 7/8 inches in diameter.

The box is labelled with a Lotus part number, and (as you can just about make out in the photo) it’s marked “Isuzu” and the paper wrapping says Tokyo Japan.

Link here.

On the downside, it was hugely expensive, but I don’t plan to have the engine and gearbox apart ever again, so it’s probably worth it. At least, that’s what I’m trying to convince myself

[Rambo]

Ouch

it was hugely expensive, but I don’t plan to have the engine and gearbox apart ever again

Until next year

[Saltire]

Scottish resident. Optimist.

Two concepts you rarely find in the same sentence

[Singh]

If anyone has information regarding the sourcing of an M100 1990 normally aspirated clutch I would be grateful. Thank you.

[simonbuk]

Rather than start a new thread - any latest developments on clutch kits ?

SJs looks like 191 delivered
PNM 220
Waiting for Lotusbits reply

Are they the same ? Those running with higher boosted cars, for how long do the standard clutches take the extra power ?

[Fredjohn]

Or try Sachs from Rock Auto as mentioned above.
Part no. Sachs K7004701

Currently £137.47 plus shipping and taxes = about £208. 6 springs, 8⅞" diam. But only 1 left.

[dapinky]

Are they the same ? Those running with higher boosted cars, for how long do the standard clutches take the extra power ?

I can't tell you if they are all the same or not, but if they come from a recognised seller in a make you've heard of, then I can't see why any of them wouldn't be suitable.

As far as 'extra boost' and longevity are concerned, all I can say is that I've never needed to replace a clutch due to excessive wear (to the point that the clutch was the actual job I was doing), but have stuck new ones in when the engine was out for other work, just for the sake of it.

I have only used the Rockauto kits, nowt special. The extra power/boost is unlikely to cause much strain on the clutch due to the lightness of the vehicle - the torque produced in shifting a heavy car is what tends to kill them. I have replaced the one in my car at 135K miles (original unit), and the one in the project car at 80K just because it was convenient. There was still plenty of meat left on the old plate, but I couldn't test the spring pressure in the cover plate. I run Everest chips in both cars 9and my previous ones) and never felt that I was destroying the clutch.

Of course, if you are doing lots of trackdays, hillclimbs etc, YMMV.

[Tuga2112]

i have something in my garage that i got from rockauto many moons ago (Pinky agreed it should be perfectly fine for my use back then). as i was purchasing one for the blue car, i got a spare for the yellow one to save on postage costs but not fitted yet.
if its relevant, i can have look and report back whats there (i think its satch), the one fitted to the blue car was perfectly adequate to go up the (rather steep) ramp up my flatbed and just moving about in the driveway. I have full confidence its a suitable clutch for daily use.

[simonbuk]

@tuga2112 - ok yes you could see what you've got - don't know what effect time plays in these things ?

Steve from SJs has just got back saying his are Excedy clutches but also has genuine Lotus ones in stock. I guess the Lotus ones are going to be old (maybe?) and still not made by Lotus ?

[Tuga2112]

don't know what effect time plays in these things ?

my assumption is "none" i never heard anyone stating they changed a clutch (or brake pads) because the car was x amount of years off the road. certainly my yellow car has a minium of 10 years, but most likely 33 and its not a problem at all.

the new unit has never left the box. i cant imagine it being any more worn or damaged than something installed in a car.