Competition Clutch 1990-1997 Geo Prizm Stage 2 - Steelback Brass Plus Clutch Kit

The Competition Clutch 16080-2100 is a Stage 2 street clutch kit for the Geo Prizm and the Toyota Corolla-family cars it shares a drivetrain with. It is the kit to look at when a Prizm with a manual transaxle has started to slip on the highway, the pedal engages right at the top, or the car has an intake, exhaust, cam or engine swap and the next stock clutch would just wear out again. Unlike a puck clutch, this one is meant to be driven every day.

What a Stage 2 clutch does in a Prizm

Every Prizm was a rebadged Toyota built alongside the Corolla at the NUMMI plant in California, so the clutch, flywheel and transaxle bellhousing come from Toyota. The 16080-2100 replaces the pressure plate, disc and release bearing with parts that clamp harder than stock. Competition Clutch's spec table for this part number lists a full-face organic disc, and the product text describes a high-torque disc with a 40 to 50 percent increase in torque capacity and a slightly firmer pedal. The brand's general Stage 2 copy on the same page talks about Brass Plus facings and up to 80 percent, so treat the specific 16080-2100 table as the number for this kit.

A full face spreads heat across the whole disc, which is why engagement stays progressive enough for stop-and-go driving. If the car is built for drag launches, the Stage 4 ceramic 16080-1620 holds far more but is harsh on the street; our organic vs ceramic comparison explains that trade.

Symptoms that point to a new clutch

• Engine speed rises on a highway on-ramp in fourth or fifth without the car picking up speed
• Shudder pulling away, especially in reverse or uphill
• The car only moves once the pedal is almost all the way up
• A hot, acrid smell after a steep driveway or a few quick launches
• A squeal or rattle that changes when the pedal is pressed, often a worn release bearing

How to confirm before you buy

Check the simple things first. On a car with a hydraulic clutch, look for a low or dark reservoir and wetness at the slave cylinder, and bleed the system if the pedal feels soft; on a cable-operated car, check the cable adjustment and pedal free play. Then do a slip test: third gear, about 30 mph, floor it, and watch whether the tach jumps ahead of the speedometer. Our slipping diagnosis guide walks through that test. If the complaint is judder instead of slip, read clutch chatter on takeoff, because worn engine or transaxle mounts can mimic a bad disc.

Fitment

Read this part before ordering. Our listing is titled for the 1990-1997 Geo Prizm. Competition Clutch lists 16080-2100 for the 1998-2002 Prizm (sold as a Chevrolet after Geo was dropped), 2003-2008 Vibe, 1991-2005 Celica, 1993-2008 Corolla, 2000-2005 MR2 and 2003-2008 Matrix. The second-generation 1993-1997 Prizm was the Corolla's twin, and those Corolla years are on the maker's list. The first-generation 1990-1992 Prizm is not, so owners of those cars, or of any car with a swapped engine or transaxle, should compare the old disc diameter, spline count and pressure plate bolt pattern, or send us the year and VIN so we can confirm before it ships. Our rebuild kits and clutches category has other Prizm options, including the ACT TC2-HDSS street kit.

Install notes

• In the box per Competition Clutch: pressure plate, single disc, throwout bearing, pilot bushing and alignment tool. No flywheel is included.
• Machine or replace the flywheel. A heat-checked face will cause chatter on a fresh disc; resurface vs replace helps you decide. The Competition Clutch 10 lb steel flywheel is listed for 1993-2002 Prizms.
• Grease the input splines very lightly. Competition Clutch warns that excess grease can damage the disc and void the warranty.
• Use the alignment tool, snug the cover bolts in a star pattern, then torque them to the Toyota service manual value.
• Refill the transaxle with the gear oil Toyota specifies for your gearbox and, if the clutch is hydraulic, bleed it with the fluid shown on the reservoir cap.
• Break-in: Competition Clutch says to shift as often as possible for the first 500 miles. See how to break in a new clutch.

This 16080-2100 kit is new, in stock and ships the same business day from the USA with a 1-year warranty.

Will 16080-2100 fit my 1990-1992 Geo Prizm?

Competition Clutch does not list the first-generation 1990-1992 Prizm for this part number. It lists 1998-2002 Prizm and 1993-2008 Corolla, which covers the Corolla-twin 1993-1997 Prizm. For a 1990-1992 car, send us the year and VIN or compare the old clutch before ordering.

Is this a smooth enough clutch for daily driving?

Yes. It uses a full-face disc rather than pucks, and Competition Clutch describes engagement as smooth with a slightly firmer pedal than stock. It is built for street use and moderate track days.

What is included in the kit?

A performance pressure plate, one clutch disc, a throwout bearing, a pilot bushing and an alignment tool, per Competition Clutch. The flywheel is not included.

Should I pick Stage 2 or Stage 4 for my Prizm?

Pick Stage 2 for a stock or lightly modified car that sees traffic. The Stage 4 16080-1620 six-puck ceramic is for swapped, boosted or drag cars and engages abruptly with some chatter.

How do I break in the new clutch?

Competition Clutch recommends shifting as often as possible during the first 500 miles so the disc material beds into the flywheel and pressure plate. Avoid hard launches until then.

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