Devan

Hi, I apologize if this is in the wrong forum, I wasn't exactly sure where to place this thread.

I recently purchased an 04 SI, with around 210k on it, and it's pretty much my first standard car. Because of this, I'm teaching myself how to drive standard, and trying to be as careful as I possibly can. At the moment no matter how careful I am, I get this odd feeling that I'm damaging/wearing out the clutch. (No burning smell or anything, just in my head.)

My question is, well I have two...is how much does it cost to replace a clutch? A friend told me it can easily be 3-4K!! . Any thruth to that?

Second question, and this one is sort of embarrassing - but will anyone be willing to sort of sitting down with me and going over the basics and evalute what I am doing right and what I'm doing wrong? (Dinner/Lunch on me )

Thanks

Peter H

A clutch job is usually around $200-$250, plus cost of parts. So no, it wont cost you 3-4K.

I cant help you with your second request as my daily is auto, and besides that I only have things equipped with race clutches lol. But if your not smelling a burnt clutch then I'm sure your doing just fine. Just practice releasing the clutch pedal and adding gas when you feel the clutch engage. A neat trick I was tought when I first started out was to depress the clutch, throw the car into first gear, and hold the brake pedal. Then slowly release the clutch, while never letting go of the brake. There will come a point when the clutch starts to grab, and your RPM's will dive. When that happens, depress the clutch again. Keep doing that over and over. That point where the RPM's dip is where you should be starting to add gas. So memorize that position through this excerise, and when you feel comfortable that you know the position well, start doing the same thing but this time dont hold the brake and add gas.

Its a pretty common sense strategy, but it helps some people so I'm throwing it out there. Good luck mate!

Gallagher

tell your friend to stop driving a ferrari

raman

clutch smells good burned

fingolfin

he probably said 3-4 HUNDRED.. not thousands

think about it logically.. how could it cost 3000-4000, you'd be better just buying a new car everytime the clutch goes

Fr0z3N

Anytime, feel free to PM me

driven905

^^ haha ... you are just doing it for the free lunch/dinner !!!

Fr0z3N

But I also race, therefore he will be getting some good lessons and tips, not only about how to drive standard, but also how to drive

rickytangimports

call Dave at addicted performance on rymal road, Hamilton. He will tell you how much it costs exactly but im 100% sure it wont be 3-4k, more like a few hundred. PM me if you need his number. He swapped the tranny and installed a new clutch on my car for under 600, including parts.

Midori

Don t worry about the clutch it will be fine. I pulled my clutch out after 260Km thinking it would need to be replaced and still had tones of meat on it even though the previous owner was pretty hard on it.

Tip-- don t be in a hurry to release or press the pedals.

A Napa clutch is like 215 on mech discount (that what mine went for)
+ labour is 1.5-2.5 hours x $70-100 depends on shop
+ tranny fluid 10$
+ machining flywheel around $50 (optional)
= 350- 450

Devan

Thanks a lot for all the responses, very helpful ... and special thanks for not flaming
I knew it couldn't be that much! Sort of takes away from the stress of learning to drive standard.

Fr0z3N: I'll be in touch with you!! Thanks a lot!

Midori: thanks for the tips. Question is better to go with an aftermarket clutch, such as Napa, or go OEM?

Fr0z3N

No problem.

A Napa clutch is "OEM" replacement. An aftermarket clutch would be something like exedy, xtd, clutch master, etc and stage 1, 2, 3 or 4.