XClutch 13-20 Subaru BRZ TS 2.0L Stage 1 Sprung Organic Clutch Kit

The XClutch XKSU23012-1A is a Stage 1 sprung organic clutch kit for the 2013-2020 Subaru BRZ, including the BRZ tS, and the same car sold as the Scion FR-S and Toyota 86. XClutch also lists it for the 2022-and-later BRZ and Toyota GR86 with the 2.4L FA24D. It is the kit for an owner whose original clutch is slipping, chattering or worn out and who wants a little more holding power than stock without giving up easy street manners.

What the Stage 1 clutch does in a BRZ

In the BRZ and its Toyota twins, the boxer engine drives a single-disc clutch that feeds a six-speed manual and then the rear wheels. The pressure plate clamps the disc to the flywheel, and pressing the pedal moves the hydraulic release bearing into the diaphragm to unload it. XClutch's spec table for this kit lists a 27 percent clamp-force increase over stock and a torque capacity of 270 ft-lb including a safety factor, with a 9 1/16 inch sprung organic disc on a 1 inch, 24-spline hub. Organic friction with a sprung center is the smoothest combination XClutch offers; XClutch calls its sprung organic kits the most driveable in its range and aims them at performance street use. In practice that means normal pedal feel, progressive engagement and good behavior in traffic, with headroom for intake, header and tune work.

Symptoms that mean the clutch is due

• RPM flares in third or fourth at full throttle while road speed lags
• Shudder or judder pulling away from a stop, worse when hot
• Engagement point high in pedal travel or moving over time
• Burning smell after hill starts, autocross runs or a track day
• Noise that changes when the pedal is pressed, which points at the release bearing or pilot bearing

How to confirm before you buy

Start with the hydraulics: a soft pedal, low reservoir or wet slave cylinder can mimic a worn clutch. Then do a slip test in fourth from about 2,500 rpm at full throttle. If engine speed climbs faster than the car, the disc is slipping. Check for oil at the bellhousing seam, since a rear main seal leak will ruin a new disc quickly. Our slipping diagnosis guide walks through the road test, and shift flare vs. slip explains what true slip feels like.

Fitment

Our listing is titled for the 2013-2020 Subaru BRZ with the 2.0L FA20. XClutch's compatibility list for XKSU23012-1A covers 2013-2020 BRZ 2.0L FA20D, 2013-2016 Scion FR-S, 2017-2020 Toyota 86, 2022-2024 BRZ 2.4L FA24D and 2022-2026 Toyota GR86. It also lists some 2014-2018 Forester 2.5L and 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback 2.5L manual cars. If your car has an aftermarket flywheel, match its flywheel step and input spline before ordering, or send us your year and VIN and we will confirm before it ships. More BRZ and FR-S clutch parts are in the rebuild kits and clutch category.

What is in the box

Per XClutch's spec table: pressure plate, sprung organic disc, release bearing, pilot bearing and alignment tool. A flywheel is not included.

Install notes

• Resurface the factory flywheel or replace it. For a lighter FA20 setup, the Exedy 12.7 lb lightweight flywheel is one option; expect more gear rattle at idle with any lightweight flywheel.
• Replace the pilot bearing with the one supplied and clean the flywheel face with brake cleaner.
• Center the disc with the alignment tool and tighten the pressure plate bolts evenly in a star pattern to factory torque.
• XClutch recommends checking the fork, pivot ball and hydraulics for wear during a clutch job, since worn actuation parts change pedal feel and shorten clutch life.
• Use a thin film of grease on the input splines only, refill the gearbox with the gear oil in your owner's manual, and bleed the clutch until the pedal is firm.
• Drive normally for the first few hundred miles so the disc beds in before launches or track use.

Need more holding power for a supercharged or turbo build? Compare the ACT SB13-HDSS heavy-duty street kit. Budgeting the whole job? See automatic vs. manual transmission repair cost.

Does XKSU23012-1A fit a Scion FR-S or Toyota 86?

Yes. XClutch lists it for the 2013-2016 Scion FR-S and 2017-2020 Toyota 86 as well as the 2013-2020 BRZ, all with the 2.0L FA20.

Will it fit the 2022 and newer GR86 or BRZ?

XClutch's compatibility list includes 2022-2026 GR86 and 2022-2024 BRZ with the 2.4L FA24D. Send us your year and VIN if you want us to confirm.

How much torque will this Stage 1 clutch hold?

XClutch rates it at 270 ft-lb including a factor of safety, with a 27 percent clamp-force increase over stock.

Is a flywheel included?

No. The kit includes the pressure plate, disc, release bearing, pilot bearing and alignment tool. Resurface or replace your flywheel.

Will a Stage 1 organic clutch feel different from stock?

Only slightly. A sprung organic disc keeps smooth, progressive engagement, so it drives much like the original clutch with a bit more holding power.

What should I replace at the same time?

Resurface or replace the flywheel, fix any rear main seal leak, and inspect the fork, pivot ball, slave cylinder and lines for wear.

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