Can I Get A UP-RATED S4 Clutch in the US?

[karmavore]

..or is PUK, MotoConcept the only answer?

Incidentally, Lotus of Atlanta just told me that to do the clutch and flywheel I was looking at $4500! I awoke and hour later...

Is that price accurate???

Luke.

[cnh1990]

Unless you do it yourself.

Although it could be a tad less expensive some where else. Somewhere in the 2-3K range. Put in the S4s clutch. I recall 4 years ago a friend put in his clutch for about 2K.

[Lotusacbc]

Honestly, what costs $4,500? Seriously, is it THAT much harder to do than a normal sportscar. Furthermore, if they get paid by the hour, even if its $200 an hour, I dont think it takes 45 hours to change a clutch do you?

[karmavore]

That's parts and labor. ...BUT if you figure the list price for parts and assume 7 hours for the job it means $200/hour labor. Either something's off, or they wanna rip me off.

Luke.

[Lotusacbc]

karmavore said:

That's parts and labor. ...BUT if you figure the list price for parts and assume 7 hours for the job it means $200/hour labor. Either something's off, or they wanna rip me off. Luke.

I dont care how much money someone has to spend, no way in hell would I pay close to 5 GRAND for a clutch change hahahah Hell no, I would do it myself even if it took me a month.

[rlearp]

That is a damn ripoff, no bones about it.

As far as what is normal for a "Sportscar" don't look at it that way. The Esprit is a car, period. And, as such, it can be fixed - by you if you wish. There isn't anything in the clutch of an Esprit that is much different than clutches on any other car.

In many ways an Esprit clutch change is easier than other cars. You can remove the trunk in 20 mins which gives you fantastic access to the top and rear of the engine.

Don't get suckered into buying some high dollar "Lotus" clutch either. Lotus doesn't make clutches, they can't afford to and it isn't their business. Get your clutch out and get it to a good parts store (not Pep Boyz, Advance, or similar) and they can match it for you then give you options for upgraded parts. I think someone already has the part number from the OEM for the Lotus clutch floating around.

You've got lots of people here who have done their own clutches and can help you out. Go for it. Or, if you don't want to do it go to a good private mechanic and I'm sure you'll come out much better.

My opinion based on experience of dealing with "Sportscars" and "Speciality Dealers". Or Stealers as I like to call them.

Ron

[JK1]

I'll fly up and do it for you for $3000 :

>> Edited by JK1 on Thursday 3rd June 15:56

[karmavore]

I'm gonna source my own parts from JAE or Marcus:

$400/750 (clutch)
$650 (flywheel, if needed)

...and make them explain why they are charging $200/hour for a 7 hour job, or taking 14 hours to do a 7 hour job at $100/hr.

That should at least get me down to $1900-2900 depending.

Thanks guys.

Luke.

PS, I can't do it myself. I just can't. I'm too obsessive and too mechanically retarded.

[rlearp]

"PS, I can't do it myself. I just can't. I'm too obsessive and too mechanically retarded."

Exactly why I do things myself - maintenance or build my own car - too obsessive and want it right. Those guys working on your car, no chance they are as obsessive as you, that is for sure.

Now, that mechanically retarding thing, well, we are all born that way. Nobody knows how to changes clutches and brakes etc. out the womb. Get dirty, you'll learn how to do it and you've got lots of support here, that is for sure. This isn't rocket science and you're not building an engine, which takes some special tools and attention. Jump on in there!!!

PS-just trying to encourage folks, no harm intended!

[cnh1990]

JK1 said:

I'll fly up and do it for you for $3000 : >> Edited by JK1 on Thursday 3rd June 15:56

I'll fly down and do it for $2999

[Asianbond]

Clutch replacement is real simple. remove rear tunrk section and full access to tranny for removal. Clutch is basic item to install. Most local competent garages can do this job. I figure about 5-600 labor, clutch kit about 400-500. Screw the dealer.

[karmavore]

LoA says that it is a 15 HOUR JOB!! The only issue is trust. I trust the dealer and I don't trust anyone else. Guess I need to learn to do it myself...

Luke.

[rlearp]

That isn't a 15 hour job unless they're charging you for the 8 hours of driving around after the install.

I suppose it could be 15 hours in my driveway including the manditory beer breaks, smoke breaks, and going out to the bar afterwards.

Put it like this - if you had some basic tools, metric/english set, jack stands, and jack plus one friend you could do it in 15 hours once someone here wrote out a plan for you. No doubt.

I'd definitely trust folks on this forum like Lotusguy and others who offer help from time to time, a lot more than I'd trust that location. Sounds like that group is sticking it to you and they're not interested in using lube. My opinion of course, but I think others agree.

>> Edited by rlearp on Friday 4th June 00:05

[y1ret]

There is currently an EBAY auction for an OEM clutch kit for the 4 cyl Esprits. It is priced at $195.00 and claims to be the same parts Louts used. I can't vouch for the clutches I just have noticed the auction a couple of times. Installing the clutch is not that different from other cars and any competent transmission shop should be able to do the job for less than $1000.00 plus parts. They may need the pertinent pages from the shop notes. If you don't have access to the shop manual let me know and I may be able to lend you a copy.