NEW CLUTCH FINISHED...Centerforce Dual Friction

[gp20mushii]

My clutch had been slippin for the last month or so, and when it got worse I went ahead and started looking around this site for recommendations. I really couldn't find a clearcut choice that just stood out to me, so I talked with my friend who has a lot of car experience, and he recommended this one, but I hadn't seen or read about anyone with a vibe with it...He said it would be great for the engine since it revs so high and this clutch was like impossible to slip. I was worried about it being so rough to drive compared to my nice soft/mushy/slipping clutch before. "The Centerforce Dual Friction clutch puts out huge power boosts, with the ability to generate up to a 90 percent increase over stock clutch systems for holding capacity."The write-up somewhere on this site was a lifesaver! Thanks realred96, you saved us a lot of trouble. My car feels like a completely different car...I'm so happy with this new clutch. Pics coming soon...compared: prolly never see it again:me tryin to get the motor mount in the right spot. took forevvver

[Raven]

Well done. What was your mileage when the stock one died?

[Kamikaze]

Man, I wish my was a manual transmission... I miss shifting.Everytime we get a car in the shop that has a manual I like to drive it, even if it's a P.O.S., I just like getting to push that clutch in, and making it go myself.Maybe I'll start looking at getting a project car w/manual tranny...

[gp20mushii]

about 58,000 miles....my camera has been broke, but it was a pretty clutch...too bad no one will ever see it!

[mac99d]

Is this the one you got. I put this one on my car just before I left to come over here. It felt real nice great pedal feel, and and smooth engagement. Cant wait to drop the hammer while I am home.

[realred96]

Thanks!! Unfortunately, the RPS clutch I installed in 06 has bit the dust. Only 26K miles and it is slipping. Time to try something differnent-realred96

[gp20mushii]

mac, sorry i forgot all about this post. yea that was it. 4000+ miles and running like a top!

[SatelliteGT]

How many hours did the job take? I'm getting ready to replace my 03 GT's clutch with an ACT HD Street unit. Did you remove the right side CV shaft? How accurate was the post by realred96 that describes how to replace the clutch? Any surprises I should know about? Thanks!!

[gp20mushii]

well we only had a couple hours a night to do it, and he normally works on muscle cars, not little toyotas/pontiac 4 cyl...but i think if you know what ure doing, it shouldnt take more than a weekend...maybe less. just have the right tools, a transmission jack was real helpful, and patience. haha..but it was well worth it.

[SatelliteGT]

I have a full supply of air tools and an engine crane but no transmission jack. I do have two floor jacks. Wonder if I could use them along with a helper to lower/raise the transmission? Thanks for the feedback!

[b03matrix]

I would like to know the clutch kit for 2zz and 1zz are they the same? (I saw in some post, people said they are the same except the flywheel).

[gp20mushii]

yea...sorry i havnt been on here in forever. we did have a transmission jack, but i think with two jacks and a helper, you could get it done

[skylinedrifter]

Were you able to use the stock throw out bearing?EDIT: Confirmed with Centerforce that the stock bearing can be used.

[mwandaw]

gp20mushii - thanks for the great write up!My 2006 GT clutch is slipping (grumble, grumble), and I'm thinking about installing a Centerforce Dual Friction clutch/pressure plate.Now that you've had yours for about a year, do you still recommend the Centerforce DF?Thanks,Mike Wilkinson

[gp20mushii]

sorry skylinedrifter, i havnt been on here in a while. i replaced my bearing, kept the flywheel. mwandaw, I would def. recommend it. zero slippage or signs of. my friend said with what that clutch is able to hold, it would be impossible for my car to slip it. pulls great, and its not as harsh as what i read about online. (scared me to be a daily driver) but no, its definately worth it.

[mwandaw]

Hey gp20mushii - Thanks for the update.Mike Wilkinson

[JoeKat]

Thanks for the informative post. I think I'm going to replace my stock 2003 Gt 86K mile clutch with the Centerforce Dual Friction.

[mwandaw]

We have had the Centerforce Dual Friction in our Vibe GT for something like 10 months now. It is a big improvement over the stock clutch.I describe it by saying it is less forgiving, but more predictable than the stock clutch. It is less forgiving, because if you let it out too quickly, you'll stall or at least get off to a jerky start. However, it is more predictable, because now that I'm used to it, almost every start is smooth. The stock clutch caused me to rev the engine one time and stall the next. I could never get used to it. (Because it was a lousy clutch!)The only complaint I have is that it is sometimes hard to shift the transmission into gear when the engine is cold. If the car is rolling a little, it's OK, but sometimes I actually have to turn off the engine, put the transmission in gear, and then start the engine again. Once the engine is warm, the problem goes away.Overall, the Centerforce Dual Friction is a big improvement!

[KNINE]

Quote, originally posted by mwandaw »The stock clutch caused me to rev the engine one time and stall the next. I could never get used to it. (Because it was a lousy clutch!)I agree. I like my Vibe, but not crazy about the mushy clutch.

[06pvibe]

Quote, originally posted by K-NINE »I agree. I like my Vibe, but not crazy about the mushy clutch.Ditto, or +1. My first real and only complaint about ours too. I wasn't even sure I should ask my wife to test drive the car because of the clutch. She said she'd get used to it, and more or less has.I've been looking into the Exedy for when its time, but this may be a better alternative if its still available.

[mwandaw]

One thing I like about the Centerforce clutch is that the pedal force is very low.

[06pvibe]

Quote, originally posted by mwandaw »One thing I like about the Centerforce clutch is that the pedal force is very low.Are you suggesting that is a bad thing or a good one? From your post I am not sure.Frankly, its the lack of pedal feel I don't like. As mwandaw states, its unpredictable because there is a disconnect between it and your foot/leg, like having over-boosted power steering.Centerforce clutches have been around for a while and from my understanding, basically use OE diaphragm spring pressure that is enhanced by the weighted fingers. As the PP spins faster, the centrifugal force pulls outward and therefore adds force to the PP face clamping the disk more firmly.

[mwandaw]

In this case I am complimenting the low pedal force.My understanding is that many high-performance clutches have higher pedal force. However, my experience with the Centerforce clutch is that you get a predictable clutch without high pedal force.

[high revin]

Wow how did that car need a clutch at only 50k ?My 03 GT i bought new has 175k on it with the orginal clutch in it still!That is a nice clutch system what that clutch and plate cost?oh yeh great work!

[mwandaw]

I'm amazed at the mileage on your clutch. If you search this forum or a forum for the Matrix, you'll find that most stock clutches only last for 40-60K. The Vibe GTs and Matrix RSXs are, understandably, even more likely to burn up the clutches.In addition, most drivers agree that the stock clutches are hard to use due to inconsistent action.

[high revin]

Well big thing is People just dont know how to "Drive" plain and simple these cars dont make a lot of torque so they really need a few short quick revs when letting out on the clutch, so theres a bit of momentum instead of just letting out and waiting to engage then gassing. young and old i see them all go through them. ive still got a little left in this clutch going to try and get 200 k out mine still pulls nice so 200 feels pretty doable maybe more hell who knows lol.

[DUFOX]

i have a 03 vibe 1ZZ, replaced original clutch at 190K km. Got Napa clutch kit but it lasted only 48K kms and its sliding again. I haven't looked but is the clutch operating rod adjustable? Nice garage pics.