Best Brand Of Replacement Clutch?

[Bob Brooks]

My 2002 996 coupe has 67,000 miles on it; 59,000 prior to my ownership. I've had it about a year, but it may become my daily driver which would result in something closer to 12,000k per year.

Between the slight oil leak from the front seal and the mileage I am anticipating a clutch and seal job this year. I am curious about the experience of forum members in the use of a Porsche clutch versus that of another less expensive manufacturer. I value the mechanical feel of my car, with all of its subtleties and nuances, and would not want to lose any of that. Is it worth the price to stick with Porsche for this big part?

[goldenwarrior1]

Who is doing the work? Dealer? Indy? DIY? You can buy the whole clutch kit for about $550.00 assuming you don't need to replace the flywheel. A good indy should be able to do the install for about the same amount in labor. As for your original question, not sure why you would risk putting inferior parts in a high performance vehicle to save maybe a 100.00 bucks... Besides my experience is you get what you pay for...

[kristian]

Hi,

I bought a Sachs clutch for about $300 about a year ago. I also replaced the flywheel and RMS at the same time. I did everything myself and saved big $. So far (a year later) everything is working great.

Kristian

PS.I have a 1999 Carrera 4 (62000 miles when replaced parts)

Who is doing the work? Dealer? Indy? DIY? You can buy the whole clutch kit for about $550.00 assuming you don't need to replace the flywheel. A good indy should be able to do the install for about the same amount in labor. As for your original question, not sure why you would risk putting inferior parts in a high performance vehicle to save maybe a 100.00 bucks... Besides my experience is you get what you pay for...

[Hari]

Just a note when buying clutches. Its a fact Porsche does not make the clutches. They use both suppliers Sachs and Luk. From past experience my personal favorite is Sachs but again it all depends on what's available for your app.

Its very likely you might need a new flywheel once clutch is removed. The integrity of dual mass flywheel must be closely examined.

[Wayne R. Dempsey]

Hari is right. Sachs and Luk make the clutch components for Porsche. If you buy a Genuine Porsche clutch, you will get the same exact Sachs clutch kit in a Porsche box for about 2-3X more money. The warranty on the Porsche kit is 2-years, versus 1-year with Sachs, so you're basically paying for a warranty in this case. The Sachs kit is top quality, and one I highly recommend.

I don't have the 996 article up yet, but here's a link to our Boxster clutch replacement article, which is very similar to the 996: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/Boxster_Tech/44-TRANS-Clutch/44-TRANS-Clutch.htm

-Wayne

Edited May 12, 2010 by Wayne at Pelican Parts

[Bob Brooks]

Who is doing the work? Dealer? Indy? DIY? You can buy the whole clutch kit for about $550.00 assuming you don't need to replace the flywheel. A good indy should be able to do the install for about the same amount in labor. As for your original question, not sure why you would risk putting inferior parts in a high performance vehicle to save maybe a 100.00 bucks... Besides my experience is you get what you pay for...

Clutch replacement will be done by independent shop. Came highly recommended by a guy who had two extensive Porsche mechanical restorations done there; air cooled models I believe. So far they have done a complete brake job and a few other less expensive deferred maintenance items. When they did the PPI for me they pointed out the seal leak, saying it would be a waste of money to do that separate from a clutch replacement...which would be needed "sometime". Have not priced clutch replacement at my preferred dealership.