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Old 10-17-2018, 02:47 PM   #1
subaruandmr2
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Join Date: Aug 2017
Vehicle:
2003 Impreza WRX
WRB

Thumbs up ebay Clutch and Flywheel review (XTR, XTD, & others)

This thread is for everyone googling and searching about ebay XTR or XTD clutches for their Subies.
I have a 2003 Subaru WRX that threw a rod bearing. While the engine was out, I figured I should replace the clutch, preferably with something that would be able to deal with some high horsepower as I am considering a built engine in the future. My google research showed turbo civics using ebay clutches to great success so I went for it. The clutch and flywheel combo I picked cost $192.99 from ebay and included the following below. The product I bought was branded XTR but I believe this is the same as XTD, JDK, Grip, FX, CLUTCHXPERTS, GRP, CXP, QSC, and others.

XTR Racing Stage 4 Copper Ceramic 'MIBA' 6-Puck Rigid Disc
Rated at 400ftlbs of torque
UNSPRUNG
XTR Racing Lightweight Chromoly Racing Flywheel
Stock flywheel would need to be resurfaced anyways to be reused
12lbs vs stock 22lbs
XTR Racing Heavy Duty Pull-Type Pressure Plate
Pilot Bearing
Clutch Release Bearing (aka throwout bearing)
Plastic alignment tool

CLUTCH PERFORMANCE:
I strictly followed the given break in period. Considering I have a 5-speed WRX transmission, I'm not launching the car and I don't slam gears. This is especially important considering it's an unsprung clutch. Clutch is much heavier than stock but not unbearable unless you're in stop and go traffic. It doesn't like to be slipped, mostly because it's unsprung, so it forces me to be smooth and quick with the clutch. Honestly, it's pretty brutal until you get used to it. Everyone stalls the car the first few times they drive it and I stalled a lot the first few weeks. Now, I'm fine and stall maybe once a month, if that. No issues with the clutch slipping under heavy load. Granted, my car only has a 2.0l engine that makes about 300whp and 275wtq? This is well under the claimed torque rating.

FLYWHEEL PERFORMANCE:
The engine is definitely happier to rev. I try to shift smoothly and it's really nice that the revs drop faster because that means I can shift faster and just as smooth as when I had the stock flywheel. I have had ZERO check engine lights since the installation of this flywheel. A lightweight flywheel will make some crazy noises upon deceleration. This is normal. I didn't know it was normal and lost my **** at first thinking I forgot a bolt or something. I didn't notice an increase in vibration but there is definitely noise when decelerating in gear vs the stock flywheel. Something to consider.

ADVICE:
Buy a sprung clutch.
If you don't know what unsprung/sprung means, go read Unabomber's clutch FAQ. I bought unsprung due to ignorance and now it annoys me every day. Sprung clutches are so much nicer to use.
Use a Subaru OEM clutch release bearing.
DO NOT USE THE KIT INCLUDED RELEASE BEARING. I got my trans all back together and guess what, the release bearing refused to click into the pressure plate. Also, all clutch release bearings, this includes Exedy, annoyingly rattle. It sounds like your engine is knocking at idle and even if you know it's not your engine, other people will think it is. Only the OEM Subaru bearing is not known to rattle!
Reuse the clutch release bearing mating ring from the OEM pressure plate.
This part sits in the very center of the pressure plate and can be rotated. You will need to pop out the metal ring on the clutch side to be able to pull it out. This is what retains the release bearing and the XTR one was not properly sized. It was too large and let the release bearing slip out. Replacing it with the OEM piece solves this issue.
Reuse and properly torque the flywheel and pressure plate bolts.
You don't want to have pull the trans back off because you didn't tighten a bolt right. It's also fairly easy to snap the pressure plate bolts so torque them to spec and NO MORE.
Follow break-in procedures.
Otherwise you will hate yourself. Nuff said.
Overbuy for your torque.
I'm sure ebay sellers over estimate these torque limits. I very much doubt this clutch can take 400wtq but I could be wrong. I'm currently WELL under that limit. I would suggest buying the next "stage" up from what your torque matches. Example: If you are making 250wtq and the "Stage 1" clutch is listed to take 250wtp, you should probably buy the "Stage 2".

I installed this clutch and flywheel myself and have been running the clutch for about 9 months now without issue. I'm open and happy to answer any questions.
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Old 04-16-2019, 12:13 PM   #2
Gally316
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Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: TX
Vehicle:
2009 wxr
wrb

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Hows the Clutch holding up?
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Old 09-30-2019, 01:30 AM   #3
Elver231
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Chapter/Region: International
Location: Guayaquil, EC
Vehicle:
1995 Legacy
Dark Green

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Thank you very much. Great post. Nothing else to say.
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Old 10-09-2021, 09:49 PM   #4
gjoh791300
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Join Date: Jan 2020
Chapter/Region: RMIC
Location: Utah
Vehicle:
2002 Wrx
Aspen White

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How’s it holding up? I’m looking at getting one of these for mine and am pretty concerned about longevity based off of the other reviews on here haha
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Old 11-03-2021, 01:17 PM   #5
O.D.D
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Followed your post and the install was on point. The clutch pedal is actually not as stiff as I expected. But that may be because I do not use the clutch helper spring anyway. Finding the bite point for a smooth clutch dump is quite tricky though. Thanks for sharing such priceless info.
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Old 11-22-2021, 01:37 PM   #6
ormoto
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Legend goof
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