what are some signs that my clutch is goin? got a 2.8 with 123xxx miles on the org. clutch.. after driving on some hills or just harder driving in general, the car smells like the clutch is going.. also occasionly when letting the clutch out slower makes a almost whistle noise.. help anyone? time to upgrade to stage 2? haha

 

im assuming the whistle is the flywheel trying to catch with the clutch.. suggestions please?

 

signs of a clutch going out is mainly from how much its slipping when you shift, basically how long it takes to engage and gets in gear. just bc u smell ur clutch when u hit it hard, doesn't mean its going out, but you are wearing it down.

 

also i can basically shift from 2nd on without the clutch.. its not hard at all to pull it outta gear without the clutch.. another sign? also isnt 123k alot of miles on an original clutch?

 

Depends on how the car has been driven all it's life. You should still have some life left on the clutch at 123k if it's had an average life. Lots of people have ~150k+ on the stock clutch. My 97 was on the original at 170k before it was toasted. A nasty smell when the clutch heats up after driving hard could also indicate an oil saturated flywheel/clutch from a leaky rear main seal. The whistle sound could be the throw out bearing going bad. ~100k is never a terrible time to upgrade if you have plans for it anyways. No real reason to go stage 2+ with a 2.8 unless you plan on supercharge it or if you just don't like the stock clutch feel.

 

You can do the industry standard clutch test that I do.. It goes as follows:

When the car is on, but it in 1st and put on the parking brake. Then slowly let out the clutch without putting gas on and see if it slips.