I've read and read on reviews of clutches it seems to me most everyone is very happy with the Valeo clutch. I have heard of people having issues with it slipping at higher RPM'S anyone experience this? I've been torn between going with the Valeo or going all in and getting a Gilken Grand Touring clutch. I saw last night though Southbend Clutch makes two versions for our cars also. Has anyone went with that setup?

 

Can't help you...but definitely 2 different ends of the $$$ spectrum...
How many HP?
So much depends on the driver, and use...hard to reccomend...
Have heard great things about the osg, but also a few saying it was like an "on/off" switch and hard to drive in traffic...this the point of returning to stock...
The stock clutch is a known commodity...both feel and wear...so a good option too....

 

I just replaced my stock factory clutch and DMF flywheel with a setup from JMTC. OMG what an improvement! If I would have know how much better this would be than stock, I'd have replaced it WAY before it even went bad, it is that good. Give Arric a call and tell him what you have and what you want and he will make sure to steer you in the right direction. He recommended for me a stage 2 kevlar clutch and lightened steel DMF conversion. It is like driving a new car. Magnitudes improvement.

http://www.jmturbocoopers.com/default.html

Easy and great guy to do business with hands down.

 

I am having the clutch assembly replaced at 57K miles. Is this about standard mileage for throwout bearing failure?

 

The Valeo conversion is a great kit and we use them all the time. For something more rated for higher HP check out the ACT clutch and ACT lightweight flywheel. We've also had good luck with them.
The Giken is a great clutch, but for a daily driver it is harsh and abrupt so you need to be ready for that.

 

I thought the new GT version was suppose to take care of the harshness of it? I am not going to lie $1700.00 for a clutch is REALLY CRAZY! but I do beleive in you get what you pay for also. Do you sell the ACT setup?

 

That reason right there is why I am so hesistant about going back with the OEM clutch setup. I have been lucky my MINI has 94,000 on the factory clutch. The only reason I am replacing is that I have to replace the rear main seal so I would be crazy not to do the clutch also.

 

Do you daily drive your MINI? I do that is why I am trying to research this as much as possible because I daily drive it but it also seems some autoX use to not much but I would still like a clutch that is going to be able to handle some abuse.

 

We install the Valeo unit in near every R53/52s we work on unless otherwise specified, and everyone is more than happy with it. The only ply some customers have with it is how much lighter the pedal is than factory.

I personally run a Southbend Stage 3 in my daily driver, and am quite happy with it. I wish it had more of an "on/off" to it like the OS Giken does, but overall it is a great clutch.

Hindsight being 20/20 though I would have spent the extra money on the Giken, the craftsmanship, quality, and performance of it can't be matched. Not to mention the hand crafted work of art they call a throw out bearing that comes in their kits.

If you're looking for something midrange of the Valeo and Giken, Exedy has a solution for a great price, Exedy Clutch

Nick
Detroit Tuned

 

I have a clutch master stage one and it is amazing.

 

Where did you get it?