So I know the 2.5L isn't the eyebrow burning V8s most people want it to be, but it get's the job done.

However, a year or so of 33s with factory gears and no 4:1 did a huge diservice to my clutch. It's not bad now on the rocks with the 4:1 and 4.88s....but it's horrible on the street trying to get 37s to move.

I searched for some clutch info..but the only thread that was decently related was this one:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=31714&highlight=clutch

So I thought I would ask if anyone else that might have installed an aftermarket clutch chime in with their opinions/experiences?

As far as I can tell, the opinions seem to warrant going with the Luk over the Centerforce...or should I just put an OEM replacement in from the local autoparts store?

Everyone I've spoken too seems to say centerforce...but none of them actually have it, so I think it's all hearsay based on their avertising.

Thanks. :beer:

Hey Dan, FWIW when I replace my clutch, it will be attched to an SM420 :D :D :D Seriously though, from what Ive heard centerforce is NOT good on the rocks:barf: , I would stick with stock or maybe go LUK. Either way you go, let me know when you are going to do it. Id like to help(learn how to do it;) )

Luk clutches are good, but most clutches only last 7 years on average with normal use. I went with a Borg and Warner kit and it works just fine. The kit included the pressure plate, clutch disc, throughout bearing and alignment tool. Unless you are running a high horsepower motor I don't see the usefulness of the holding capabilities of a Centerforce.

The 420 would be sweet! But there are plenty other things I can/should do before a tranny swap, that are much more pratical right now.

Insayn,
Seven years...DAMN!! :D

My clutch has 21K miles on it, and is only 2 years old...so that would be awesome if I could get 7 years out of one.

Well, the swap may be a bit more appealing as soon as you find out clutch prices:eek: But adapters will get ya too, either way your fawked:( I am expecting my clutch to die soon, wheeling with 3.07's and 33's was a smoky experience to say the least:flipoff2: :flipoff2:

i did a LUK in my 6cyl. around $175 at pep boys or you probably can get it cheaper on-line. came complete, slave/throw-out brg,pilot bearing,disc,press plate and arbor tool. don't forget to get your flywheel re-faced or buy one rebuilt w/ new ring gear. $36 for a rebuilt /new gear at merles auto.

Well in the 4 wheeling world clutches don't last 7 years, but rather in normal driving conditions in the grocery getter under ideal circumstances. I can change a clutch out in my sleep because I have done so many. I guess I need to learn to drive better :D

Now that you have the gearing the clutch will last, especially if you throw in the 420 too :)

I went through a couple of stock clutches before going to a 420 and 5.38's, after that it was three years and the clutch still looked great when I took it out. Stock type replacement too, nothing special.

David

Now I think I've read somewhere not to resurface the TJ flywheels..because they are of a special shape or something to that effect.

So resurface or not?

Stay away from the Centerforce, they use a ceramic on one side of the dual friction element, and a standard element on the other, whitch do you think will wear first? I replaced my stock clutch with a special job from Clutch Dynamics, dual friction ceramic, built with S-10 4.3L parts, extra springs, yada, yada, yada, it held like crazy, and they said I'd wear through the flywheel before that clutch disk wore out, then I blew up my AX and swapped to a SM420, Clutch Dynamics was out of the ceramic stuff so they built me a new disc with the old bad stuff they're not supposed to.........anyway, they built me a new disk and I'll swap it out for a ceramic when it goes bad.

Just looked at your pics, 4 Banger's rule!

please dont buy a center force, it is a total waste of money, i would hate to see another person make that mistake, i had a dual friction in my sammy and it didnt last for shit, 6 months, i dont call that heavy duty, all i had pushing it was a puny 1.3L, 5.13's & 35x16 bogg's

My thoughts:

Centerforce blows for a trail rig and do not resurface your flywheel, the runout is intentional. Get a weighted flywheel inthere while you are there, cheap and I have heard nothing but good about them.

HTH Dan but I have yet to get into mine so I can't help ya any.

Originally posted by crawlinTJ
Now I think I've read somewhere not to resurface the TJ flywheels..because they are of a special shape or something to that effect.

So resurface or not?

Search for posts by me ... like 3 or 4 months ago. You'll find your answer.

cmk

I just caught this....

"So I know the 2.5L isn't the eyebrow burning V8s most people want it to be"

....Ooooh, I did that once, burned my eyebrows off, that sucked!

Thanks for all the replies, appreciate it.

Guess I'm pretty much getting the idea to not get the Centerforce. It's better to get first hand experience than what someone's brother's barber's daughter's cousin's dog walker said ya know.

But how come JEEP_TJ_FREAK says not to resurface the flywheel, and sas87yj says to do it? Not trying to start anything, just curious about the different opinion.

The FSM says not to. I did anyway. Twice (blew up the clutch disc once :rolleyes:). I'll do it again.

Paul