Clutch Masters 17-18 Honda Civic Type-R 2.0L FX350 Clutch Kit

Clutch Masters 08520-HDFF is the FX350 single disc clutch kit for the FK8 Honda Civic Type R with the 2.0L K20C1 turbo. It is the kit owners reach for once the car has a tune, a turbo-back exhaust and an intercooler and the factory clutch starts letting go when boost peaks. If your Type R flares on a third-gear pull, the bite point has moved to the top of the pedal, or you smell a hot clutch after a canyon run, this is a single disc answer that holds noticeably more without jumping to a twin.

What the FX350 does in an FK8 Type R

Every pound-foot the K20C1 makes passes through one dry clutch before it reaches the six-speed and the limited-slip front differential. Honda rated the North American FK8 at 295 lb-ft, and modest boost increases move well beyond the margin the factory disc was built with. The FX350 combines the Power Plus I high-leverage heavy-duty pressure plate with a segmented Fiber-Tough disc: steel-backed Fiber-Tough friction material on a heavy-duty sprung hub with a marcel spring wafer under the facings. Clutch Masters rates it at a 110 percent increase in holding capacity and places it in their street/race band.

Be clear about what that means on the road. Clutch Masters says the FX350 holds slightly more than its FX300, but engages a little more aggressively and will produce some chatter. They aim it at serious street cars that see the occasional track weekend, including medium-boost turbo builds. A completely stock daily driver is better served by a milder stage, and a high-boost drag car belongs in a ceramic disc.

Symptoms that point to the clutch

• Tach rises faster than road speed when boost comes in, usually in third through fifth
• Slip that first appeared after a tune or a bigger turbo
• Pedal engagement creeping higher as the facings wear down
• Judder pulling away on an incline, from glazed facings or a hot-spotted flywheel face
• Whine or chirp that comes and goes with pedal travel, typical of a tired release bearing
• Burning smell after repeated launches or a track session

How to confirm before buying

A worn clutch does not set a trouble code, so test it. With the car fully warm, hold fourth gear near 2,500 rpm and go to full throttle; if engine speed jumps ahead of vehicle speed, the clutch is slipping. A data log of rpm against speed makes it obvious. Rule out a boost leak or a fueling problem first, because a down-on-power car can feel like slip from the seat. Check that the hydraulics give a firm pedal and full release, and look for oil weeping into the bell housing. Our slipping diagnosis guide covers the process, and flare versus slip explains what the log is showing you.

Fitment

Our listing title reads 17-18, but Clutch Masters lists 08520-HDFF for the 2017-2021 Honda Civic 2.0L Turbo Type R, which is the full FK8 run. It is not listed for the Civic Si, the regular Civic, the earlier overseas FK2 or the newer FL5 Type R. If the car has a swapped gearbox or a previous aftermarket flywheel, send us the year and VIN and we will confirm it before it ships. Same-car alternatives: for smoother street manners there is the FX250 08520-HD0F, and for a big-boost build the FX400 6-puck ceramic kit. More options are in our rebuild kits category.

Install notes

• Inspect the flywheel face while the transmission is out. If it is grooved, heat-checked or worn past spec, replace it; the Clutch Masters FW-520-SF steel flywheel is listed for the same car.
• Clean the flywheel and pressure plate faces with brake cleaner to remove the anti-rust coating before assembly.
• Center the disc with the included alignment tool, or a backup from our universal alignment kit, and tighten the cover bolts gradually in a crossing pattern to factory torque.
• Use the release bearing from the kit and check the fork and pivot ball for wear.
• Refill the six-speed with Honda manual transmission fluid and bleed the clutch hydraulics with fresh brake fluid of the type on the reservoir cap until the pedal is firm.
• Follow the 500-mile break-in before any hard launches or full-throttle shifts.

Does the FX350 fit a 2019, 2020 or 2021 Civic Type R?

Yes. Our title says 17-18, but Clutch Masters lists 08520-HDFF for the 2017-2021 Civic 2.0L Turbo Type R, the whole FK8 generation. It is not listed for the FL5 or the Civic Si.

Will the FX350 chatter on the street?

Some. Clutch Masters says it engages a little more aggressively than the FX300 and will produce some chatter. If smooth commuting matters most, look at the FX300 or FX250 instead.

How much power will it hold?

Clutch Masters rates the FX350 at a 110 percent increase in holding capacity and recommends it for highly tuned or medium-boost street cars that also see track days. High-boost builds should consider a ceramic FX400 or a twin disc.

What comes in the kit?

The Power Plus I heavy-duty pressure plate, the segmented Fiber-Tough sprung disc with marcel, a release bearing, a pilot bearing where the application uses one, an alignment tool, an instruction card and decals. A flywheel is not included.

What fluids do I need for the job?

Honda manual transmission fluid to refill the gearbox after it comes out, and fresh brake fluid of the grade shown on the clutch reservoir cap to bleed the hydraulics.

Is there a break-in period?

Yes. Clutch Masters asks for at least 500 miles of normal stop-and-go driving with no full-throttle shifts or compression braking so the facings bed in.

• How to Diagnose Transmission Slipping: Complete Troubleshooting Guide
• Shift Flare vs. Slip: How to Tell Them Apart
• Automatic vs. Manual Transmission Repair Cost: What to Actually Expect