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Old 11-09-2017, 09:12 AM   #1
kingsalami
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Member Sales Rating: (9)
 
Member#: 206257
Join Date: Mar 2009
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Yukon, OK
Vehicle:
2009 WRX 5-door
White

Default Competition Clutch Stage 2 Clutch Review

Competition Clutch Stage 2 Clutch Review

I recently replaced the Exedy Stage 1 clutch on my ’09 WRX with a Competition Clutch Stage 2 Steelback Brass Plus clutch kit w/ lightweight flywheel - #15026-2100
https://www.rallysportdirect.com/par...kit-w-flywheel

After 20K miles on the Exedy, the clutch release bearing started chirping pretty bad and induced a vibration into my drive train. I started shopping for clutches, and wanted a very streetable single disk clutch for my DD, but needed it to withstand around 400 ft/lbs of torque. I perused a whole bunch of clutch reviews and whittled the list down to the CC Stage 2 on the advice of my tuner. I also bought an OEM clutch release bearing (new revised part # 30502AA160) for $50 and a new OEM release fork for $25.

When I picked up the car after my tuner installed the clutch, I anticipating shudder, abrupt engagement, and a stiffer pedal. What I got was a very predictable engagement and a really mellow clutch pedal (almost soft). I think the noise level is also a bit quieter than the previous clutch. Full engagement is much more direct—you don’t want to try to slip this clutch much, just feather the throttle and find the engagement ‘sweet spot’.
The car is so much easier to shift and drive compared to the Exedy Stage 1: smoother engagement, less noise and chatter, and a softer pedal (WTF?). I couldn’t believe this clutch is rated to 450 ft/lbs of torque – it’s a complete pussycat, very DD-friendly. I’m assuming this is because they can use weaker pressure plate springs due to the larger gripping surface between their pressure plate, disk, and non-stepped steel flywheel?

Another reservation I had was running a lightweight flywheel (this clutch can only be used with their flywheel). I read numerous accounts of guys having a hard time engaging from a stop and stalling their cars due to the reduced mass of a lighter flywheel. No problems here. At 13.7 lbs., the flywheel included in this kit isn’t in the ‘stupid light’ category. I could hardly tell any difference engaging from a stop as far as engine rpms required for a smooth start. But I did notice that throttle response was a bit crisper and the engine felt peppier and freer to rev. Very nice!

I’ve had a Kartboy lightweight crank pulley on the car for a couple years, and have not yet encountered any ECU faults from the combination of the lightweight flywheel and crank pulley combo (crank sensor ‘over rev’ condition when the ECU thinks the engine is revving too quickly). But I have been taking it easy since I’m breaking in the clutch.

Clif notes:
Great street clutch – feels like the stocker, a bit more abrupt on engagement, but can handle much more torque.
Highly recommended for a DD!
Lightweight flywheel suits my driving style really well – allows me to squirt through openings in traffic a bit more easily.

Suggestions: Use a new OEM clutch release bearing and replace the clutch fork while you’re in there. They’re cheap insurance.

I’ll post updates here periodically. I’ve got another 1K miles on my rebuilt engine break-in before my retune. Then I’ll throw some torque at this clutch to see if can hang.
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Old 11-09-2017, 11:25 AM   #2
gabo_s13
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Thanks for the review. I just got the same kit for my 14 WRX that should go in when I finish off my longblock.
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Old 11-09-2017, 11:45 AM   #3
bugeyebreezy97
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I have stage 2 competition clutch in my 02 wrx and when I replaced it the difference was crazy. In my opinion, the pros: can dump the clutch all day, smooth, durable.. the cons: leg gets tired cause it's heavy lol I also heard competition clutch is really an act clutch just different color and branding... and more money lol
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Old 11-09-2017, 12:17 PM   #4
kingsalami
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bugeyebreezy97 View Post
I have stage 2 competition clutch in my 02 wrx and when I replaced it the difference was crazy. In my opinion, the pros: can dump the clutch all day, smooth, durable.. the cons: leg gets tired cause it's heavy lol I also heard competition clutch is really an act clutch just different color and branding... and more money lol
Completely different clutch. I've had an ACT before that wasn't as heavy duty as this CC unit. The ACT definitely wore out my left leg. Your CC clutch is a completely different clutch for the earlier models. This Stage 2 has a redesigned pressure plate and a non-stepped flywheel that has a larger gripping surface, I believe.
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Old 11-18-2017, 01:19 PM   #5
blue sedan
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Chapter/Region: Tri-State
Location: Pa.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kingsalami View Post
Competition Clutch Stage 2 Clutch Review

I recently replaced the Exedy Stage 1 clutch on my ’09 WRX with a Competition Clutch Stage 2 Steelback Brass Plus clutch kit w/ lightweight flywheel - #15026-2100
https://www.rallysportdirect.com/par...kit-w-flywheel

After 20K miles on the Exedy, the clutch release bearing started chirping pretty bad and induced a vibration into my drive train. I started shopping for clutches, and wanted a very streetable single disk clutch for my DD, but needed it to withstand around 400 ft/lbs of torque. I perused a whole bunch of clutch reviews and whittled the list down to the CC Stage 2 on the advice of my tuner. I also bought an OEM clutch release bearing (new revised part # 30502AA160) for $50 and a new OEM release fork for $25.

When I picked up the car after my tuner installed the clutch, I anticipating shudder, abrupt engagement, and a stiffer pedal. What I got was a very predictable engagement and a really mellow clutch pedal (almost soft). I think the noise level is also a bit quieter than the previous clutch. Full engagement is much more direct—you don’t want to try to slip this clutch much, just feather the throttle and find the engagement ‘sweet spot’.
The car is so much easier to shift and drive compared to the Exedy Stage 1: smoother engagement, less noise and chatter, and a softer pedal (WTF?). I couldn’t believe this clutch is rated to 450 ft/lbs of torque – it’s a complete pussycat, very DD-friendly. I’m assuming this is because they can use weaker pressure plate springs due to the larger gripping surface between their pressure plate, disk, and non-stepped steel flywheel?

Another reservation I had was running a lightweight flywheel (this clutch can only be used with their flywheel). I read numerous accounts of guys having a hard time engaging from a stop and stalling their cars due to the reduced mass of a lighter flywheel. No problems here. At 13.7 lbs., the flywheel included in this kit isn’t in the ‘stupid light’ category. I could hardly tell any difference engaging from a stop as far as engine rpms required for a smooth start. But I did notice that throttle response was a bit crisper and the engine felt peppier and freer to rev. Very nice!

I’ve had a Kartboy lightweight crank pulley on the car for a couple years, and have not yet encountered any ECU faults from the combination of the lightweight flywheel and crank pulley combo (crank sensor ‘over rev’ condition when the ECU thinks the engine is revving too quickly). But I have been taking it easy since I’m breaking in the clutch.

Clif notes:
Great street clutch – feels like the stocker, a bit more abrupt on engagement, but can handle much more torque.
Highly recommended for a DD!
Lightweight flywheel suits my driving style really well – allows me to squirt through openings in traffic a bit more easily.

Suggestions: Use a new OEM clutch release bearing and replace the clutch fork while you’re in there. They’re cheap insurance.

I’ll post updates here periodically. I’ve got another 1K miles on my rebuilt engine break-in before my retune. Then I’ll throw some torque at this clutch to see if can hang.
How's the clutch holding up ? Any CEL with lightened flywheel and crank pulley?
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Old 11-18-2017, 04:06 PM   #6
kingsalami
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Member#: 206257
Join Date: Mar 2009
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Location: Yukon, OK
Vehicle:
2009 WRX 5-door
White

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So far, so good. No issues.
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Old 01-03-2018, 10:27 AM   #7
kingsalami
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Location: Yukon, OK
Vehicle:
2009 WRX 5-door
White

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Update - After a few more thousand miles, there is one (hopefully) minor annoyance.
When trying to engage on a hill from a stop, or attempting to feather the clutch a bit to get into my garage, I do get that nasty clutch burning smell. I also tend to get it sometimes when trying to launch pretty aggressively at low speeds. The engagement point is somewhat indistinct, so I'm getting a bit of slip under these conditions (obviously , by the smell) until it hooks up. This makes me a bit nervous about it's long-term wear and durability. Anyone with similar experience?
FWIW, I've been driving manuals for over 35 years, so I'm confident in my abilities to operate them properly.
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Old 11-03-2018, 05:42 PM   #8
jtb600
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Default Noises?

Any unusual noise on deceleration? I had and 04 wrx installed a lightweight flywheel and there was a terrible amount of noise on deceleration. Askin because I currently have 2011 wrx and dont want the same problems
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Old 11-03-2018, 09:05 PM   #9
kingsalami
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Member#: 206257
Join Date: Mar 2009
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Yukon, OK
Vehicle:
2009 WRX 5-door
White

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Quote:
Originally Posted by jtb600 View Post
Any unusual noise on deceleration? I had and 04 wrx installed a lightweight flywheel and there was a terrible amount of noise on deceleration. Askin because I currently have 2011 wrx and dont want the same problems
Deceleration noise is comparable to the Exedy Stage 1 I had previously. The CC Stage 2 may have a slight bit more deceleration noise. Nothing that I would consider 'terrible". And I don't like loud, harsh cars.
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Old 11-13-2018, 01:27 PM   #10
chuckdez
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Chapter/Region: South East
Location: Fort Walton Beach, FL
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2005 STI Blouch Dom
Obsidian Black Pearl

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Several years ago bought a competition stage 2 clutch paired with ACT streetlight.

With my Dom 2.5 XTR the clutch started slipping and shuddering at 9K miles, managed to baby it until it was gone at 15K miles. Will never buy another Competition clutch.
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Old 12-12-2018, 12:45 PM   #11
makhan
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kingsalami View Post
Competition Clutch Stage 2 Clutch Review

I recently replaced the Exedy Stage 1 clutch on my ’09 WRX with a Competition Clutch Stage 2 Steelback Brass Plus clutch kit w/ lightweight flywheel - #15026-2100
https://www.rallysportdirect.com/par...kit-w-flywheel

After 20K miles on the Exedy, the clutch release bearing started chirping pretty bad and induced a vibration into my drive train. I started shopping for clutches, and wanted a very streetable single disk clutch for my DD, but needed it to withstand around 400 ft/lbs of torque. I perused a whole bunch of clutch reviews and whittled the list down to the CC Stage 2 on the advice of my tuner. I also bought an OEM clutch release bearing (new revised part # 30502AA160) for $50 and a new OEM release fork for $25.

When I picked up the car after my tuner installed the clutch, I anticipating shudder, abrupt engagement, and a stiffer pedal. What I got was a very predictable engagement and a really mellow clutch pedal (almost soft). I think the noise level is also a bit quieter than the previous clutch. Full engagement is much more direct—you don’t want to try to slip this clutch much, just feather the throttle and find the engagement ‘sweet spot’.
The car is so much easier to shift and drive compared to the Exedy Stage 1: smoother engagement, less noise and chatter, and a softer pedal (WTF?). I couldn’t believe this clutch is rated to 450 ft/lbs of torque – it’s a complete pussycat, very DD-friendly. I’m assuming this is because they can use weaker pressure plate springs due to the larger gripping surface between their pressure plate, disk, and non-stepped steel flywheel?

Another reservation I had was running a lightweight flywheel (this clutch can only be used with their flywheel). I read numerous accounts of guys having a hard time engaging from a stop and stalling their cars due to the reduced mass of a lighter flywheel. No problems here. At 13.7 lbs., the flywheel included in this kit isn’t in the ‘stupid light’ category. I could hardly tell any difference engaging from a stop as far as engine rpms required for a smooth start. But I did notice that throttle response was a bit crisper and the engine felt peppier and freer to rev. Very nice!

I’ve had a Kartboy lightweight crank pulley on the car for a couple years, and have not yet encountered any ECU faults from the combination of the lightweight flywheel and crank pulley combo (crank sensor ‘over rev’ condition when the ECU thinks the engine is revving too quickly). But I have been taking it easy since I’m breaking in the clutch.

Clif notes:
Great street clutch – feels like the stocker, a bit more abrupt on engagement, but can handle much more torque.
Highly recommended for a DD!
Lightweight flywheel suits my driving style really well – allows me to squirt through openings in traffic a bit more easily.

Suggestions: Use a new OEM clutch release bearing and replace the clutch fork while you’re in there. They’re cheap insurance.

I’ll post updates here periodically. I’ve got another 1K miles on my rebuilt engine break-in before my retune. Then I’ll throw some torque at this clutch to see if can hang.
Thanks for the review. Is it safe to assume that your driving patterns are normal street driving? I found some clutches to be to "grippy" for stop and go, bumper to bumper traffic.
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Old 12-12-2018, 02:36 PM   #12
kingsalami
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Member#: 206257
Join Date: Mar 2009
Chapter/Region: MWSOC
Location: Yukon, OK
Vehicle:
2009 WRX 5-door
White

Default

It is grippy for stop & go driving. I drive about 80% of my mileage on freeways & highways.
I was stuck in stop n' go traffic this morning for about 20 min (wreck), and it's a bit irritating. This clutch doesn't like slipping or feathering. If you're quick & decisive with it and keep your revs up, you'll be just fine.
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