R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 Valeo clutch ok for a car with some mods?

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Old 11-30-2016, 04:57 AM
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Valeo clutch ok for a car with some mods?

After 149,xxx miles....the oem clutch in my 03' JCW started slipping on me this morning on the way to work....crap! I knew I would be replacing the clutch eventually, just didn't plan on doing it now.

So...from everything I've read on NAM over the years, the Valeo clutch is what most people are using. I'm just wondering.....for a car with some mods that's making 220+/- hp......is there a better option, or is the Valeo just fine? .......I just want to make sure I'm not doing this again in a few years. My car is a daily driver, not a track car......so I want something with good street manners....light pedal pressure, no chatter.

Any info would be great...thanks!!
 
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Old 11-30-2016, 05:04 AM
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I thought they were good to like 300-350 ?
 
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Old 11-30-2016, 05:12 AM
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Originally Posted by mega72
I thought they were good to like 300-350 ?
I have no idea...that's why I'm asking

Any know for sure? I thought they were just an OEM equivalent?
 
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Old 11-30-2016, 05:42 AM
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I've heard that the Clutchmaster FX200 single mass kit is also worth looking at........would that be a better choice over the Valeo for a daily driver?
 
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Old 11-30-2016, 06:41 AM
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The Valeo will hold 220 HP no problem, we've got customer builds that were still running stock clutches when we did "250HP" builds.

I wouldn't recommend a Clutchmaster, they've proven to be garbage, not really a fan of the Southbend either.

We've got the Valeo on hand ready to ship or the next best option I would give you would be the Exedy Hyper Single. That clutch feels AMAZING... It's a great clutch and is a middle ground between a stock organic clutch and an OS Giken.
 
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Old 11-30-2016, 07:28 AM
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Originally Posted by nkfry
The Valeo will hold 220 HP no problem, we've got customer builds that were still running stock clutches when we did "250HP" builds.

I wouldn't recommend a Clutchmaster, they've proven to be garbage, not really a fan of the Southbend either.

We've got the Valeo on hand ready to ship or the next best option I would give you would be the Exedy Hyper Single. That clutch feels AMAZING... It's a great clutch and is a middle ground between a stock organic clutch and an OS Giken.
Thanks!! I'll hit the Detroit Tuned site and check them out!
 
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Old 11-30-2016, 07:40 AM
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Awesome, let us know if you have any questions!

All orders over $130 ship free until the first of the year as well.
 
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Old 11-30-2016, 12:33 PM
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I'll second the Exedy for the next step above the Valeo (thanks to Chad for the recommendation) it's got a really solid feel when locked, but very well manored during engagement.
 
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Old 11-30-2016, 09:23 PM
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Valeo has proven to be good and reliable even with mods.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/valeo-...l-kit-r53.html

Never liked the Exedy as the last one I drove was so stiff we joked that your left leg would be bigger than your right after a week of driving.

We've found the ACT to be a good reliable option, but they are still more race style as they lock up quick so it's no where as smooth as the stock or Valeo
https://www.waymotorworks.com/act-hd...-cooper-s.html
 
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Old 12-01-2016, 09:20 AM
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I may be in the market for a new clutch too. What is the upper hp range for the Valeo? Can it handle 290-300 crank hp?
 
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Old 12-01-2016, 09:25 AM
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Originally Posted by davisflyer
I may be in the market for a new clutch too. What is the upper hp range for the Valeo? Can it handle 290-300 crank hp?
At that power you're guaranteed to need an LSD if not already equipped, and no, I wouldn't recommend installing a Valeo and expecting it to play nicely with that kind of power.

If you're looking to make that kind of power either an Exedy or OS Giken and a quality LSD is a given.

That said; you can drive a car with 600 HP and a clutch rated for 300, you just need to limit how much of that 600 HP you use.
 
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Old 12-01-2016, 10:22 AM
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Originally Posted by davisflyer
I may be in the market for a new clutch too. What is the upper hp range for the Valeo? Can it handle 290-300 crank hp?
I'm guessing that if you have the money to spend on engine mods that put out 300hp at the crank, a really nice clutch like the OS Giken is going to be pocket change compared to the money it costs to get 300hp at the crank
 
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Old 12-01-2016, 06:39 PM
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Originally Posted by IQRaceworks
I'm guessing that if you have the money to spend on engine mods that put out 300hp at the crank, a really nice clutch like the OS Giken is going to be pocket change compared to the money it costs to get 300hp at the crank
Information is key. I'm already over 250 at the crank. I do have some mods in mind that will get me much closer to 290+.
 
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Old 12-01-2016, 07:20 PM
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Originally Posted by davisflyer
I may be in the market for a new clutch too. What is the upper hp range for the Valeo? Can it handle 290-300 crank hp?
We know it will handle 250hp. We actually have a customer that has 260hp that has been using the Valeo for the last 2 years.
 
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Old 12-01-2016, 07:27 PM
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Keep in mind that Exedy only recommends ceremetallic disc clutches for non daily driven (heavy stop and go) cars. You can call them to confirm. I asked them at SEMA if there was any chance of a hyper single organic like they offer for a few other applications, but the answer was no.
 




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