Competition Clutch 00-09 Honda S2000 Stage 4 - 6 Pad Ceramic Clutch Kit

The Competition Clutch 8023-1620 is a Stage 4 Strip Series clutch kit for the 2000-2009 Honda S2000, covering both the AP1 cars with the 2.0L F20C and the later AP2 cars with the 2.2L F22C1. It is built for the S2000 that now makes much more torque than Honda designed for: a supercharged or turbocharged car, a built motor, or a car that sees drag launches and hard track starts. If your clutch flares as boost arrives or you have already glazed a Stage 2, this is the kit aimed at that.

What the Stage 4 clutch does in an S2000

The S2000 sends power from its high-revving four through a single-disc clutch into a six-speed manual and on to a Torsen limited-slip rear differential. The pressure plate clamps the disc to the flywheel; the hydraulic slave and release bearing unload it when you press the pedal. Competition Clutch rates the Stage 4 Strip Series at up to a 250 percent increase in torque capacity over stock. It gets there with a performance pressure plate and a disc that uses six ceramic pucks instead of a full friction face. Ceramic shrugs off the heat of repeated launches that would glaze an organic disc. The 1620 version keeps a sprung hub, so some driveline shock is still soaked up before it reaches the gearbox, driveshaft and differential.

Be honest about how the car will drive. Six pucks bite quickly with a narrow slip window, so low-speed takeoffs take practice and some chatter is normal. A stock or lightly modified S2000 is better served by the 8023-2100 Stage 2 kit.

Symptoms that point to an overpowered clutch

• Tach climbs without road speed in third or fourth once boost or the VTEC crossover hits
• Burnt-clutch smell after a few pulls, a track session or a drag pass
• Engagement point moving toward the top of pedal travel as the disc wears
• Blue spots, heat cracks or glazing on the flywheel when the old clutch comes out
• A chirp or growl that changes with pedal position, which points to the release bearing

How to confirm before you buy

Check the hydraulics before blaming the disc. A soft pedal, low reservoir or a seeping slave cylinder can keep the clutch from fully clamping or releasing. Then do a controlled pull in fourth from around 3,000 rpm. If revs run ahead of road speed, the disc is slipping. Look for oil at the bellhousing seam too, since a leaking rear main seal contaminates any clutch. Our slipping diagnosis guide covers the road test, and shift flare vs. slip explains how to tell true slip from a slow shift.

Fitment

This listing covers the 2000-2009 Honda S2000. Competition Clutch lists the 8023-1620 for 2000-09 S2000 2.0L and 2.2L, so it fits both AP1 and AP2 cars. Many S2000s have been modified over the years, so if your car has a swapped gearbox or an aftermarket flywheel, match your current disc spline and pressure plate bolt pattern, or send us your year and VIN and we will confirm before it ships. More S2000 clutches and flywheels are in the rebuild kits and clutch category.

What is in the box

Per the Competition Clutch spec table: the performance pressure plate, one sprung 6-paddle ceramic disc, a throwout bearing, a pilot bushing and an alignment tool. A flywheel is not included.

Install notes

• Ceramic pucks need a flat, fresh surface. Resurface the factory flywheel or replace it; the Competition Clutch 11.5 lb steel S2000 flywheel is a common pairing.
• Clean the flywheel and pressure plate faces with brake cleaner and keep fingers and grease off the pucks.
• Center the disc with the supplied tool and tighten the pressure plate bolts gradually in a star pattern to Honda's torque spec.
• Competition Clutch warns that too much grease can damage the disc and void the warranty. Use only a thin film on the input splines and fork pivot.
• Refill the gearbox with Honda MTF and bleed the clutch hydraulics until the pedal is firm.
• Break-in: Competition Clutch says to shift as often as possible for the first 500 miles so the disc beds into the flywheel and pressure plate.

Want a step between Stage 2 and Stage 4? The 8023-2600 Stage 3 segmented ceramic kit holds more than a Stage 2 with smoother engagement than six pucks.

Does the 8023-1620 fit both AP1 and AP2 S2000s?

Yes. Competition Clutch lists it for 2000-2009 S2000 with the 2.0L and 2.2L engines. If your car has a swapped gearbox or aftermarket flywheel, send us your year and VIN to confirm.

Is a flywheel included?

No. The kit includes the pressure plate, 6-puck ceramic disc, throwout bearing, pilot bushing and alignment tool. Resurface your flywheel or replace it.

Can I daily drive a Stage 4 6-puck clutch in an S2000?

You can, but engagement is abrupt and some chatter at low speed is normal. It is built for high-power and drag use; a Stage 2 suits a stock or lightly modified car better.

How much more torque does it hold than stock?

Competition Clutch rates its Stage 4 Strip Series at up to a 250 percent increase in torque capacity over the factory clutch.

What fluid do I need after the install?

Refill the gearbox with Honda MTF and bleed the clutch hydraulics with fresh brake fluid of the type printed on the reservoir cap.

How do I break in the new clutch?

Competition Clutch recommends shifting as often as possible for the first 500 miles before launches or track days.

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