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The Fidanza clutch thread.

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99gst_racer

Moderator
11,976
1,542
Apr 5, 2003
Coloma, Michigan
OK, I did a little search and didn't come up with much of anything.

I'll be replacing my clutch this winter and I was originally just going to replace it with another ACT. But then I stumbled across the Fidanza clutches.

I'm not sure who is manufacturing them, but they look well built. They have four different kits available for us DSMers:

2.1 - Carbon Kevlar disc
3.2 - Kevlar disc
4.3 - Ceramic disc
5.4 - Sintered iron disc

From what I gathered, each kit uses the same 2300 pressure plate and each one uses a more aggressive friction material to gain more holding capacity. This is a much more efficient method than simply increasing the clamping force of the pressure plate.

These are very affordable, and I have them in stock here, so I'm really considering running the 4.3. If anyone has any input on the Fidanza clutches, or if you've been running one and have an opinion on it, please post in here.

Thanks in advance.
 
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What were the symptoms of your guys springs popping out? I was driving to work today, the first few shifts were fine, but after that I could barely get the transmission to go into gear. It would grind 60% of the time and the engagement seemed different, like more harsh. Sometimes my pedal would have more play and more vibration too, when that would happen and I pushed the clutch down all the way I could hear grinding in the clutch/flywheel area. I'm pretty sure its a spring falling out, I had the transmission off a few months back and one of the springs was getting very close to popping out because the metal holding it in was bending out in a way the springs would fall right out. Did anyone else experience this problem?

I do have over 35,000 miles on this clutch within the past year and a half, with no more than 20 launches on it (did use anti-lag)
 
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What were the symptoms of your guys springs popping out? I was driving to work today, the first few shifts were fine, but after that I could barely get the transmission to go into gear. It would grind 60% of the time and the engagement seemed different, like more harsh. Sometimes my pedal would have more play and more vibration too, when that would happen and I pushed the clutch down all the way I could hear grinding in the clutch/flywheel area. I'm pretty sure its a spring falling out, I had the transmission off a few months back and one of the springs was getting very close to popping out because the metal holding it in was bending out in a way the springs would fall right out. Did anyone else experience this problem?

I do have over 35,000 miles on this clutch within the past year and a half, with no more than 20 launches on it (did use anti-lag)

2.1... 3.2... or 4.3??
 
Sorry I forgot to put it in there, it's a 2.1. Dowel pins are in place and everything. I'm wondering though if I should just replace the disc and continue to use the PP or just a new kit. I'm looking into some of the southbend clutches, but I really think I would rather go unsprung.

This clutch seemed to hold my level of power pretty good, it never slipped on me yet.
 
I really think you need to pull the trans and if the clutch did fail, get in contact with fidanza. From what I hear about their customer service, they'll take care of you if its their fault.
 
Just tried installing a 2.1, no dice. The centerbore on the disc was undersized, would not slide onto the input shaft. I verified this at a local clutch shop, where I also purchased a new disc to get my DD back on the road.

The disc is going back to fidanza, we'll see what they say.
 
I really think you need to pull the trans and if the clutch did fail, get in contact with fidanza. From what I hear about their customer service, they'll take care of you if its their fault.

I will definitely contact them when I pull it, but for the time being I need really need something else in it to drive it. I've been considering getting the 5.4 since it's unsprung. Do all Fidanza clutches use the same PP? Why do people say this clutch is not streetable but others drive around on 6 puck unsprung clutches? I really need to get something on the way here so I can go back to driving the car.
 
Figured I'd put an update here. My 4.3 was doing great but after about 10K it would no longer hold properly when launching the car. I had actually been pretty easy on it the whole time, I installed the clutch with a brand new tranny so I wanted good milage on the tranny before I started to abuse it. Clutch probably only had 15-20 launches on it. Launch set at 5000-5250rpms, building 6psi or so. It seems to only slip through first, when launched. From a roll, any gear is fine & if I don't build boost on the launch, it will hold as well.

I haven't taken mine apart yet but up to now, no strange issues have been noticed. Will post up here what I find come spring.
 
I just got my 4.3 in the other day. I will be swapping out the 2.1 hopefully on Tuesday. That is as long as I get the rest of my parts in (friction disc, fork, etc...).

It looks like they changed their design. This is the pressure plate side. The other side only has the chintsy bent metal holding the springs in place.

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Theres my old disc, only one popped out. Still had plenty of life on the disc after 30k miles.

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And my flywheel. The friction disc was replaced with a new one.

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Hopefully the new one holds up. I put in a new fork, new dowel pins, and new pivot ball so we will see.
 
Just tried installing a 2.1, no dice. The centerbore on the disc was undersized, would not slide onto the input shaft. I verified this at a local clutch shop, where I also purchased a new disc to get my DD back on the road.

The disc is going back to fidanza, we'll see what they say.

Still no dice. After many calls to Fidanza (and no callbacks) it turns out that they have no 2.1 discs to ship because they are "redoing" their line of clutches.
 
Still no dice. After many calls to Fidanza (and no callbacks) it turns out that they have no 2.1 discs to ship because they are "redoing" their line of clutches.
You should be able to return the entire kit to the same place that you bought it from.
 
Well, since life gets in the way sometimes, it's been 4 months since I purchased it. ExtremePSI mentioned a restock fee due to the time, so I'll work with Fidanza the best I can.
There shouldn't ever be a restock fee for defective product. It's the manfacturer's fault, not yours.
 
Well, patience and being a squeaky wheel paid off, got my refund check today. In all fairness, Matt in the warranty department was very nice, just buried with all the defects coming in. Apparently they pulled the clutch line and are retooling. Guess I'll stick to the more time-tested products next time. :coy:

Well, since life gets in the way sometimes, it's been 4 months since I purchased it. ExtremePSI mentioned a restock fee due to the time, so I'll work with Fidanza the best I can.
 
michaelsuch have you installed your parts yet. The new design looks promising but still would think that all that did was bandaid the pp side making the flywheel side now the weakest part of the disk. Still unsure whether I am going to go with the 4.3 or the spec stage 3 setup.
 
I just got my 4.3 in the other day. I will be swapping out the 2.1 hopefully on Tuesday. That is as long as I get the rest of my parts in (friction disc, fork, etc...).

It looks like they changed their design. This is the pressure plate side. The other side only has the chintsy bent metal holding the springs in place.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

It's usually the flywheel-side that fails . . .
 
I will put some input in on this

setup 2g awd 6bolt 2g head 1g rod
- 3" exhaust turbo back
- hks 272 cams
- fp 18g with fp race manifold 24psi
- 5k launch rpm e85 tuned with link 255lph hp wilbro and 1250cc fic blue max


miles on fidanza 4.3 25k still holding fine

Loved the clutch just had it out of adjustment due to over shimmed pivot ball, so the clutch did drag a little when on the 2-step until i actually adjusted the clutch

the clutch took everything i threw at it on this setup just when i pulled it out when i shattered the trans the last few months i noticed some of the ceramic pads had little chunks taken out of the buttons , and the tabs that hold the springs in where worn and about to break (ill try to upload some pics of it ) but loved it and would reccomend it to anyone

but overall experience i will be buying another fidanza clutch very soon just dont know weather or not it will be the 3.2 kevlar or 4.3 ceramic

*note 13.1 was on older setup (pump gas and no tune) never ran the car on e85
 
i had a 3.2 that failed on me. the rivets came loose and the whole hub came apart. i called up fidanza and sent it out to them and there sending me a new 4.3 clutch kit since they said there removing the 3.2 from there line up. ive been waiting about 2 months for it now since there whole line is being redesigned(atleast thats what they said) this is the second time i had a 3.2 fail on me but the customer service has been great so far and if the new clutches are free of defects or whatever the problem may have been im defiantly going to continue doing business with them
 
I know this is an old thread, but there is still some good information here, so I'll share my experience.

I have the original stage 3.2 in my GVR4 with a 2.3 stroker, 20g, bc280's, dsmlink, and all other supporting mods. As of now I have 15k miles on everything, and it's holding great. It has multiple 5500-6500rpm launches on it. Overall I'm pleased with it, It gets beat on like a track car, but is daily driven. If/when it goes, I'll definately be going with Fidanza again. Great customer service, great prices, and it sounds like they are making an honest attempt to correct their problems with these clutches.
 
So as a follow up, here are some pics of my 4.3. Clutch has 15K on it when pulled, started to slip with just under 10K on it. As can be seen, friction material missing & looks like the rivots may have contacted the PP & possibly flywheel (hard to see from pi but there are large grooves on the surfaces)
 

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