Competition Clutch 00-09 Honda S2000 2.0L F20C1 Segmented Ceramic Clutch Kit

Competition Clutch part 8023-2600 is the Stage 3 street/strip kit for the 2000-2009 Honda S2000, listed by the maker for both the AP1 2.0L F20C and the AP2 2.2L F22C1. It sits in the middle of the S2000 clutch ladder: more grip than an organic Stage 2, but a full segmented face that engages more progressively than a puck disc. It suits a car with a supercharger, turbo kit or nitrous that still sees daily miles, or a naturally aspirated car that does regular drag passes and has already burned through a softer clutch.

What the Stage 3 clutch does in an S2000

In the S2000 the hydraulic slave pushes the release fork, the throwout bearing presses the diaphragm, and the pressure plate clamps the disc between itself and the flywheel to drive the six-speed. Competition Clutch rates the Stage 3 family at up to a 150 percent increase in torque capacity over stock. That comes from two changes: a performance pressure plate with higher clamp load, and a disc faced with segmented ceramic instead of organic material. Segmented means the ceramic friction ring is split into sections around the disc, so heat has somewhere to go and the disc keeps a wider contact area than six separate pucks. The result is a clutch that holds boosted torque at the top of the rev range without the on-off bite of the Stage 4 six-puck kit 8023-1620.

Ceramic is still ceramic. Expect a firmer engagement than the factory clutch and occasional chatter when the car is cold or crawling in traffic. If the car is stock or only has intake, header and tune, the organic Stage 2 kit 8023-2100 is the easier daily driver.

Symptoms this kit is meant to fix

• Revs jump without acceleration when boost or the high-cam crossover arrives in third, fourth or fifth
• A Stage 1 or Stage 2 organic clutch that smells hot and fades after a few hard pulls or launches
• Engagement creeping toward the top of the pedal as the old disc wears thin
• Hot spots, blue marks or glazing on the flywheel at the last clutch job
• Whirring or chirping that changes when the pedal is pressed, a sign the release bearing is due as well

How to confirm before you buy

Separate slip from hydraulic and gearbox faults first. Check the shared brake and clutch reservoir, look for fluid at the slave cylinder, and bleed the system if the pedal feels soft or the engagement point wanders. Then make a full-throttle pull in fourth from about 4,000 rpm; if the tach outruns road speed, the disc is slipping. Read our clutch slipping symptoms and fixes for the full test, and the S2000 6-speed problems guide for grinding and synchro wear that can be mistaken for a clutch problem. Oil on the bellhousing seam means a rear main seal leak that must be fixed before any new disc goes in.

Fitment

This kit is for the 2000-2009 Honda S2000. Our listing names the 2.0L F20C1, and Competition Clutch lists the same 8023-2600 for both 2.0L and 2.2L cars, since the AP1 and AP2 share the clutch package. If your car has a swapped transmission, an aftermarket flywheel with a non-standard step, or a K-series swap, the stock-fit kit may not apply. Match your current flywheel and disc spline, or send us the year and VIN and we will confirm before it ships. Compare other S2000 options in our clutch and rebuild kit category.

What is in the box

The Competition Clutch spec table for 8023-2600 lists the performance pressure plate, one segmented ceramic disc, a throwout bearing, a pilot bushing and an alignment tool, and states that a flywheel is not included. One line of the maker's marketing copy mentions a billet steel flywheel; we go by the spec table, so plan on resurfacing your flywheel or buying one separately.

Install notes

• Ceramic needs a clean, flat friction surface. Have the stock flywheel machined, or fit the Competition Clutch 11.5 lb steel S2000 flywheel at the same time.
• Pull the old pilot bushing with a puller such as the OEMTools 25089 and press in the new one from the kit.
• Keep grease to a light film on the input splines and fork contact points. Competition Clutch warns that excess grease can ruin the disc and void the warranty.
• Center the disc with the supplied tool and draw the pressure plate down a little at a time in a criss-cross pattern to the factory torque value.
• Refill with Honda manual transmission fluid and bleed the clutch with fresh DOT 3 or DOT 4 fluid until the pedal is firm.
• Break-in per the maker: shift as often as you can for the first 500 miles and avoid launches until then. Our clutch break-in guide explains why.

Does 8023-2600 fit both the AP1 and AP2 S2000?

Yes. Competition Clutch lists it for 2000-2009 Honda S2000 2.0L and 2.2L, which covers the AP1 F20C and the AP2 F22C1 with the factory six-speed.

Is a flywheel included?

No. The maker's spec table says flywheel not included. Resurface your current flywheel or add a new one, such as the Competition Clutch 11.5 lb steel S2000 flywheel.

How is Stage 3 different from Stage 2 and Stage 4?

Stage 2 (8023-2100) uses a full-face organic-type disc for smooth street use. Stage 3 uses segmented ceramic for up to 150 percent more torque capacity with fairly progressive engagement. Stage 4 (8023-1620) uses six ceramic pucks for up to 250 percent and a much sharper bite.

Will it chatter on the street?

Some chatter is possible with any ceramic facing, especially when cold or creeping in traffic. A segmented disc is generally smoother than a puck disc, but it will not feel like the factory organic clutch.

What break-in does it need?

Competition Clutch says to shift as often as possible during the first 500 miles so the disc material beds into the flywheel and pressure plate. Avoid launches and full-power pulls until then.

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