Has anybody used a Duralast clutch setup?

[modmonster2008]

Just wondering what they have to say about these clutch sets over stock setup? I compared my mk3 to two different 5-speed n/a mk3's and my clutch pedal feels somewhat softer than the two i have tested out (said to have OEM clutch setup). My clutch system is bled properly and is adjusted per TSRM on the height, pedal freeplay and pushrod play seems rather correct. Its just the clutch does not feel as stiff. Wondering what any duralast clutch users have to say on this one?

 

[jrot]

well i havent tried them yet but i am an autozone employee....when comparing them to stock ones that people bring in to compare they look pretty beefy...looks dont mean shit though....also they carry a lifetime warranty and i can tell you AZ wont do that if they plan on losing money on it or if they lack confidence in the product...also they are not made by us as much as boxed for us....im not sure who makes out clutches but for example the bearing we sell are made by timken and our electronics are by wells...so i imagine the clutches are produced by some reputable company as well.....also i have been with the company a long time and have never had to warranty one EVER.....so as far as feel i dont know but as a seller they seem like a good product....i will have no issues putting one in my car when mine fails....even a few honda street racers that come in use them so they are holding up for them really well for what ever thats worth.....if your unsure of the duralast clutch then go with the LUK brand that AZ can special order for you....on the other side though never ever ever get duralast CV shafts....

 

[modmonster2008]

Yeah i have used duralast products before and they are great, its just the clutch was the only problem for me, comparing my mk3 to two different mk3's, They all had the same amount of fork play, pedal freeplay and clutch adjustment, its just the duralast clutch setup had a light pedal feel to it, much lighter than stock.

 

[jrot]

was the adjustments the same and the clutch just felt light or could you not get it adjusted out because of the clutch being different?

 

[modmonster2008]

Yes adjustments were the same im sure as my mk3 was adjusted per TSRM specification on clutch pedal height, pushrod play, pedal freeplay. I also measured the distance of the slave cylinder pushes out the clutch fork and all three of the Supra's i checked came out to be around almost 7/8" (from slave cylinder rest position to the full push position of the slave) The slave cylinder seems very responsive to little clutch pedal movement and i bled the system thoroughly to make sure no bubbles are left, hoses are new, both master and slave are new. I just dont like the light pedal feel to the car compared to the others, its almost like you can push the clutch pedal all the way to the floor with your thumb.

 

[jrot]

yeah see i guess its just how they engineer theirs for comfort...i dont think i would mind the softer pedal as mine seems overly hard...im sure if you wanted to do the work they would take it back and get you the LUK for a few more dollars....or from an insider if you act super pissed about it they will probly return it and match the price on the duralast for the LUK....ive heard lots of good things about LUK......

 

[modmonster2008]

Well i wouldnt mind the soft clutch, its just that the pedal for all 3 supras are adjusted the same, the fork travel is the same, its just the engagement point feels super close to the ground and is very hard to have a good shift point at times when i need it, feels like im stepping in a tub full of cornstarch at times...

 

[Koenigturbo]

off topic: the duralast batteries are rated high

 

[modmonster2008]

I checked with Autozone they do not carry LUK clutches anymore, i should have spent $80 more on the napa products when i did my swap, they carry original Exedy clutch sets...

 

[Dirgle]

I currently have a Duralast clutch/PP on my 2JZ/R154(which is the 7MGTE clutch/PP on a 1JZ flywheel) MKIII. I had only planned for it to be a temp clutch but so far it's preformed beautifully. I'm at ~320 ft/lbs and it hasn't had any issues, but I'm not very abusive on clutches either. As far as feel goes, a properly lubricated clutch fork can make a huge world of difference in how heavy the pedal feels. For me it went from feeling very heavy, similar to an 80's mustang with a cable driven clutch, to a very smooth, very light modern clutch, needless to say I was shock at the difference a little $3 can of grease made.

 

[modmonster2008]

There may be a difference in spring feel between the W58 and R154 clutch setup, so far i know i lubed the pivot points up with the grease the input shaft grease that came with the clutch set as well as some moly grease on the tips of the fork where it comes into contact with the bearing, its soft, but its not the modern car soft, its the super light cluch pedal feel, if a supramania member was around my area and checked my clutch pedal out it would be way softer than their pedal feel is

 

[noel]

I have a duralast clutch so far so good...1,200 miles no problem it holds boost just fine 13psi...its the cheapest clutch and i can't seem to find a problem with the product i also changed the pilot and throw out bearing lubed everything up car runs awesome..it has a softer pedal feel than stock..some ppl like stiff clutch pedals i dont

 

[modmonster2008]

To Noel: From a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being least stiff to 5 being the most stiff), what you rate the Duralast clutch stiffness? I would rate stock at about a 4.

 

[san supra]

Get Beck/Arnley from oreillys

 

[modmonster2008]

I should have gotten that, but its probably too late to get my money back now, its been well over 8 months since i originally bought the clutch set and just did a warranty replacement for a new clutch set in December.

 

[jrot]

actually and this is from an autozone worker....with a life time warranty you can return it anytime even for a full refund...if your not happy and its not working then they would rather give you the money and let you go elsewhere to be happy in hopes you return for other needs.....i wouldnt go with the oriellys one unless it has a lifetime warranty also......i would say napa...they have way better parts than anyone else but their price is high and warranty low....but thats where i shop most of the time.....i did look the day after i told you to get the LUK and saw they had stopped carrying them.....

 

[IBoughtASupra]

We put an Autozone clutch in a customer's Supra and it held the power well. They didn't want to upgrade the clutch to a six puck or put a stock Toyota one in. The Supra dyno'ed at 300HP on eight pounds and when we test drove the car to make sure it was good, the clutch performed very well, no slipping at all.

I would not recommend this clutch for anything about stock power levels. I wouldn't even use this clutch on my own car even if it was completely stock. I would recommend in your saving your money until you have enough to get a stock clutch from Toyota or an upgraded six puck.

This is a better buy....because AutoZone's clutch cost 260.00
http://store.driftmotion.com/static/i-stage1clutchkitforr154.php

If you haven't already, I suggest in changing the washers and clips for the hub.
http://store.driftmotion.com/static/i-clutchreleasehubkitr154.php

 

[modmonster2008]

IBoughtASupra : Thanks for the suggestions and help provided, but my car is a n/a with W58 transmission, so the pull-type clutch wouldnt work for me. As for right now, im using the Duralast clutch since april, but have again replaced it this december in hopes of a stiffer pedal feel, but all i got was the same feel, but with a new clutch! lol. I will eventually buy a better clutch set from maybe Exedy or so, otherwise the pedal feel feels softer than stock but engages fine, i guess ill have to get used to it for the years to come till the clutch goes out.

 

[Dirgle]

I had a friend that upgraded the factory clutch pedal return spring(located on the side of pedal assy.) to achieve a stiffer feel, he didn't like how soft it was either. Though I'm not sure what spring he used to replace it, or how exactly he did it.

 

[modmonster2008]

How could you upgrade the spring, it looks like its pre-assembled like that? lol