By Brian Wilborn (24.4.254.106) on Monday, January 22, 2001 - 11:53 pm:

OK, don't know if this has been covered in a previous thread but I need to know...

My clutch on my '79 CVCC 5-speed is finally in need of replacement after about 170k miles. I just recently acquired an earlier Civic ('76 or '77 I think) for free (!) and it's got a 5-speed in it is well. What I need to know is if any of the clutch parts are interchangable between the two trannys (are they the same run of trannys) I am most interested in the flywheel, so I can pull the one off the older Civic and grind/lighten it while still having my 79 in service (daily driver). Any help would be appreciated.

By Todd (63.52.20.215) on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 07:28 am:

Yes.

By quikrick (63.204.16.66) on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 08:14 am:

Brian, I did exactly as you are doing. I used a 5 speed tranny from a 75 CVCC in my 79 CVCC. I also had the flywheel lightened. If you want the name and # of the shop that did the flywheel just let me know. He is really good, he does this for fast Acura's, late model Civic's and Nissan Sentra Ser's.
Just for fun, You could use a clutch from a 77-78 1600 first gen Accord. You could take it a step further and use a CenterForce clutch. If you are going to buy a clutch set from Honda... The CenterForce one is about the same price if not less.
;)
quikrick@asapdoors.com

By Adam M (64.229.14.34) on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 10:25 am:

How much more abuse could the CenterForce clutch take????I know that those clutches are used alot in off-roading and racing.Or are they just a plain old clutch with a fancy name????

By quikrick (63.204.16.66) on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 11:21 am:

CenterForce uses a wire ring that encircles the diaphragm near the outer edge of the pressure plate. The ring has little weights attached between each finger of the diaphragm. As the rpm rises, centrifugal force acts on the weights, increasing the pressure plate's clamping force. This method keeps clutch pedal pressure down.

By Charles (137.219.16.107) on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 05:03 pm:

Centreforce clutches for hondas come without the centrifugal weights though because of clearance issues. We have a special batch of Exeddy custom high performance clutches that take 200hp (4 times stock output). They are a full faced clutch with a small increase in pedal pressure, diaphragm or clamping pressure is much increased and friction material on the clutch plate is upgraded, drivability is excellent. I don't know how much the centreforce ones are but these are $250AUD (about $125-130US), another near cost deal). They come with new pressure plate, throwout bearing and clutch plate. Available for all Hondas from 74-87.

By Brian Wilborn (207.20.253.77) on Tuesday, January 23, 2001 - 05:27 pm:

Cool! That was the answer I wanted to hear! J

So, now that the can of worms is open

1.) What's the name/number of the shop? I'll probably be getting up to my other car this weekend (It's in Clearlake, Ca and I'm in the San Francisco bay area) to survey everything as I did not really have time to extensively look at the car.

2.) Where can I get the CenterForce clutch kit? I'm pretty tough on my clutch and cost is not an issue if it means getting quality parts.

Thanks for the info, and I'll see if I can't get some pictures of my beauties up here soon.

By ROotUS (203.34.130.92) on Friday, January 26, 2001 - 05:56 am:

yeahyeah,
i kill clutches fast too... i have a reasonably stock motor, what sort of clutch do i need? i want it to bight in second... not so much to spin wheels (fat) but just to not waste power.

im in au

also, how much to get flywheel lightened, and does it need to be a good performance shop?

By Adrian (Civicguru) (203.42.97.227) on Friday, January 26, 2001 - 06:38 am:

Sounds to me like you're way too savage on your clutch if you kill them with a basically standard motor.
Why not just use an Accord clutch? Heavier spring and good for a reasonable bit more hp than a standard motor.
What do you mean by "not waste power"? Do you mean not slip?

By ROotUS (203.20.149.5) on Friday, January 26, 2001 - 05:08 pm:

yeah not slip.
will the accord clutch fit straight on my flywheel?
which year?

By Adrian (Civicguru) (203.42.97.227) on Friday, January 26, 2001 - 05:32 pm:

Clutch slip not only "wastes" power but it does damage too (to clutch and flywheel) so it's a thing to be avoided.
Yes, will fit straight on, though there can be clearance problems between the pressure plate and thrust bearing carrier, so use a 1200 pressure plate or modify the bearing carrier.
Not sure exactly what year, all the early (pre '80ish) ones should be the same, but there could be differences ... I've only ever used one (still in use) and I got that 5 or 6 years ago so I can't remember.
Charles, do you know if there are any differences in the early Accord clutches?

By ROotUS (203.34.130.92) on Saturday, January 27, 2001 - 07:10 am:

how much for flywheel lightening?
is the mugen flywheel made out of lighter material, or just less flywheel (i seen that pic that compares both).

By Adrian (Civicguru) (203.42.97.227) on Saturday, January 27, 2001 - 03:57 pm:

Go talk to a *good* machine shop ... certainly can't tell you exactly but it'll be <$100.
Don't even think about a Mugen flywheel. First you'll never find one and second they are a pain in the arse and totally useless for a road car with that brass clutch. It's still made of steel, just a hell of a lot less of it.

By ROotUS (203.20.149.5) on Sunday, January 28, 2001 - 04:04 pm:

hah, is it tooo light? i didnt' want one, just curious. less than 100 sounds ok. thanks.

By Brian Wilborn (24.4.254.106) on Sunday, January 28, 2001 - 08:48 pm:

Allright, ignorance on:

What effect does lightening a flywheel have on the driveability of the car? What is the effect of taking more or less material off of the flywheel? What would happen if I took 10 lbs. off of the flywheel as opposed to five?

Ignorance off.

By quikrick (63.204.16.66) on Monday, January 29, 2001 - 08:14 am:

OK, lighter flywheels increase acceleration. Using a lighter flywheel reduces the inertia the engine must overcome and results in quicker acceleration. The lighter flywheel is far easier to put into motion. It can cause the engine to idle rough, pulling away from an uphill stop harder, also RPM drop between shifts.
In Dr. Zoom's webpage under 1200 Toys there is a page from an old catalog showing a stock flywheel lightend 9lbs.

By quikrick (63.204.16.66) on Monday, January 29, 2001 - 04:43 pm:

Hey Brian, see the thread "Flywheels". The Guru gives a very good explanation.

By John S. (208.188.193.202) on Tuesday, January 30, 2001 - 11:09 am:

A lighter flywheel also contributes to engine braking..but a wise older mentor I've been lucky to know since my old TR4-TR6 days always used to say that brake pads and shoes were cheaper than engines...so I'd recommend not going too light on flywheels if you plan to drive them on the street, or hope for longevity of your motors.