New Clutch

[alatty]

Going to fit a new clutch to my standard S2 as I've got the gearbox out fixing input shaft oilseal. Is it worth putting an AP Performance clutch in, anybody use one of these ? Any difference ? Is it worth it ?

[Ju.]

Not really worth it it will not last any longer than an oe clutch and i doubt you are running too much power for the standard clutch as they can take over 190bhp

[alatty]

Thanks for reply Ju. Much appreciated. My Elise has only got 7K miles on and the input shaft oilseal has gone in the gearbox. I took the clutch plate out to check for oil and it's okay but the rivets holding the 2 outer plates allow the plates to move about slightly. The plate looks new and the mesaurements are nearly new size. Thought I might change it just incase. Nobody seems to be able to give me a concrete answer on wheteher the plate movement is normal or not.

[Ju.]

If its only got that ileage on why has it not gone straight back to lotus

[alatty]

It's 4 years old this August and out of warantry. No matter I've bought a new clutch kit from speedways £66, seems resonable. Pressure plate, release bearing and plate, inc vat and delivery. OEM part.

Now I'm just waiting for my gearbox back, which I should get back this week and then a few hours to put it all back together as I've done the job without taking off the rear clam. Pretty straight forward really.

So total job including new oil seal on the input shaft, 2 differential oilseals and a new clutch £150.

[Ju.]

4 years old and oly 7K it needs to be used more

[alatty]

Yes, You are right. I looked for a low mileage elise, but I think this was too low. Standing about for long periods of time has done the oil seals no good. Others be warned !!!!

If you're buying a second hand elise take it for a good blast (rev it to 5.5K aleast) then through the hole in the under tray rub your finger over the hole in the bottom of the clutch bell housing (mind the hot exhaust) if it's got oil on, then oil seal trouble.