Clutch Masters 07-08 Acura TL 3.5L Type-S 6-Speed FX250 Dampened Disc Clutch Kit

Clutch Masters 08040-HD0F-D is the FX250 dampened-disc clutch kit for the 2007-2008 Acura TL Type-S with the 3.5L J35 V6 and six-speed manual. Owners usually land here for one of three reasons: the factory clutch has started slipping in the upper gears, the original dual-mass flywheel is rattling or shuddering, or the car has an intake, exhaust or tune and the stock clutch no longer holds. This is the street-friendly step in the Clutch Masters range, built for spirited driving rather than drag launches.

What the FX250 does in a TL Type-S

Acura rated the Type-S at 286 hp and 256 lb-ft, and the six-speed car came with a limited-slip differential, so the clutch sees a lot of load on hard corner exits and quick shifts. The FX250 pairs a Power Plus I heavy-duty pressure plate with a hybrid disc: Fiber Tough friction material on the pressure plate side and steel-backed organic material on the flywheel side, on a sprung hub with a marcel spring wafer underneath. That mix is how Clutch Masters claims 110 percent more holding capacity than a full-face Kevlar disc while keeping engagement smooth enough for traffic.

The key detail for this part number is the letter D. The factory Type-S clutch uses a rigid, non-sprung disc because the stock flywheel is dual-mass and does the damping itself. The 08040-HD0F-D puts the damping springs back in the disc, so Clutch Masters states it only works with an aftermarket single-mass flywheel. Their recommended match is the FW-040-AL aluminum flywheel. If you want to keep the original dual-mass flywheel, you need the rigid-disc version (08040-HD0F-R) instead, which is not this part.

Symptoms that point to the clutch on a Type-S

• Revs flare in fifth or sixth on a highway pull while speed barely rises
• Engagement point creeping higher in the pedal travel as the disc thins
• Shudder pulling away in first, often from a heat-glazed disc or tired dual-mass flywheel
• Knocking or rattle at idle that changes with the pedal, typical of a worn dual-mass unit
• Bearing whir that appears or disappears when the pedal goes down
• Burning friction smell after a steep hill start

How to confirm before buying

With the engine fully warm, roll into fourth gear around 2,000 rpm and go to full throttle. If the tach climbs faster than road speed, the clutch is slipping. Slip that only shows up when the car is hot often means the disc is near its limit. Rule out the hydraulics first: a soft pedal, a pedal that sinks, or grinding into reverse points at the master or slave cylinder rather than the friction parts. Our slipping diagnosis guide walks through separating true slip from a fault elsewhere, and flare versus slip explains what the tach is telling you.

Fitment

Our listing covers the 2007-2008 Acura TL Type-S 3.5L with the six-speed manual. It does not fit automatic TLs, which use a flexplate and torque converter, or the 2004-2006 TL 3.2L, which takes a different kit. Clutch Masters also lists this kit for the Honda Accord 3.5L six-speed. Because the D and R versions look identical in the box, match the part number to the flywheel you will run, and if you are unsure send us your year and VIN before ordering. Other clutch and flywheel parts are in our rebuild kits category.

Install notes

• Install the single-mass flywheel at the same time; the sprung disc is not meant to run against the factory dual-mass part.
• Use new flywheel bolts and torque the pressure plate in a crisscross pattern with the disc centered on the included alignment tool, or a backup from our 18-piece alignment kit.
• Check for a pilot bearing in the crank and replace it if one is fitted; a pilot bearing puller makes that quick.
• Flush the clutch hydraulic line with fresh brake fluid and bleed until the pedal is firm.
• Expect a little more gear rattle at idle with a lighter flywheel; that is normal.
• Follow the break-in: Clutch Masters asks for normal stop-and-go driving for the first 500 miles before any hard launches.

Can I use this kit with my factory dual-mass flywheel?

No. Clutch Masters states the dampened 08040-HD0F-D disc only works with an aftermarket single-mass flywheel such as its FW-040-AL. For the stock dual-mass flywheel, the matching kit is the rigid-disc 08040-HD0F-R.

How much power will the FX250 hold?

Clutch Masters describes a 110 percent increase in holding capacity over a full-face Kevlar disc and aims the FX250 at spirited street driving and weekend events. For a heavily boosted build, look at a higher FX rating.

Will it fit a 2007-2008 TL base model?

Acura dropped the manual from the base TL after 2006, so 2007-2008 manual TLs are Type-S models. It does not fit any automatic TL.

What does the kit include?

A Power Plus I heavy-duty pressure plate, the hybrid Fiber Tough and organic disc with sprung hub and marcel, a release bearing, a pilot bearing when the application uses one, an alignment tool and an instruction card. The flywheel is sold separately.

What fluid does the clutch hydraulic system use?

The clutch hydraulics run on brake fluid, so bleed the slave cylinder with fresh fluid of the type shown on your reservoir cap after the job.

Is there a break-in period?

Yes. Drive 500 miles of normal stop-and-go before hard launches so the facings and flywheel surface bed in.

• Transmission Slipping Diagnosis Guide
• Shift Flare vs. Slip: How to Tell Them Apart
• Automatic vs. Manual Transmission Repair Cost