Could use some guidance on mixing and matching clutch parts

So... I bought an RT4WD transmission from Dom. Not sure what year it is yet. I have been searching the archives for background info. I am pretty confused right now. My car has almost 235K on it. My plan is to purchase a SOHC ZC so I can retire the original A6, and use this transmission so I can retire the original transmission. Make sense? When I do this, I also want to replace the clutch. Maybe the starter as well.

My car is a '90, with a 212 mm flywheel and a 20 spline count, I think.

From my reading, the RT4WD used a different throwout bearing than the Civic & CRX Si.

If the transmission is a 1990 or '91 it's pretty much a no brainer. I have to get a kit for a '90-'91 wagon. Who sells a wagon specific kit?

If the transmission is from '88 or '89, what would I have to use for a flywheel, clutch and pressure plate?

Comments

  • Ok, so the RT4WD throwout bearing p/n is (or was): 22810-PH8-008

    and Exedy lists clutch kits for:

    1988 RT4WD (210 mm, 20T): 08710
    1989 RT4WD (200 mm, 20T): 08019
    1990 RT4WD (210 mm, 20T): 08020
    1991 RT4WD (210 mm, 20T): 08020

    Not sure if the above info (diameter & spline count) is accurate from what I was reading in my search.
  • If I recall you just get a clutch kit and flywheel for your year, civic or crx will both work. Then get the throwout bearing separate. I just ordered a throwout bearing from Majestic Honda, then ordered a 91 crx exedy stage 1 clutch kit and light flywheel from ebay (as a package for...260ish?). Everything worked out perfectly for my RT4WD.
  • The clutch disc needs to match the transmission year, but only if it is 1988. The 1989 and newer transmissions will all have the same input shaft. Easy way to tell is count the splines. If the input shaft as 21 splines, it's a 1988, if it's 20 splines, it's a 1989 or newer. As far as the pressure plate is concerned, if your car is a 1990 or newer, and the flywheel is the original flywheel, you can buy any 1990 or newer clutch (1990-2000). If your car is a 1988 or 1989, and your flywheel is the original it gets more complicated. For the 1988, you'll need the 21 spline clutch disc with the 200mm diameter, 1989 will be the 20 spline with 200mm diameter.

    If I were you, I'd just go for the 1990-newer clutch setup, and upgrade the flywheel to the 212mm diameter flywheel if my car was not already equipped as such. With the 1988 transmission (21t spline) you're kind of stuck. I had Clutch Masters change the center hub portion of my clutch disc from the 20 spline to 21 spline because I thought all my transmissions were of the 1988 vartiety. In the end I had to pay them to change it back, because it turned out that I only in fact had 1 transmission with the 21 spline, and 2 with the 20 spline.

    As already mentioned, you should get the throw out bearing seperately.

    Count you splines carefully!
  • Alright, thanks for the replies. My car and engine are 1990. I am still waiting on the transmission year information from Dom.

    Is their a tag on the tranny that identifies the year?
  • SiWagonSiWagon Council Member
    Identifying Tranny years:
    viewtopic.php?f=7&t=103&hilit=SiWagon+tips
  • Dom says tranny is an 89.
  • superhatch wrote:
    If I recall you just get a clutch kit and flywheel for your year, civic or crx will both work. Then get the throwout bearing separate. I just ordered a throwout bearing from Majestic Honda, then ordered a 91 crx exedy stage 1 clutch kit and light flywheel from ebay (as a package for...260ish?). Everything worked out perfectly for my RT4WD.

    What weight flywheel did you end up going with? I don't want to go too light and make it a pain in the ass to drive.
  • Mine is a 7.5lb ClutchMaster's aluminum flywheel. I have been running super light flywheels for 20+ years now on 4 cylinder Hondas. IMHO, you won't notice the difference after about 2-3 days of driving (once you get used to it).
  • The_Head wrote:
    So... I bought an RT4WD transmission from Dom. Not sure what year it is yet. I have been searching the archives for background info. I am pretty confused right now. My car has almost 235K on it. My plan is to purchase a SOHC ZC so I can retire the original A6, and use this transmission so I can retire the original transmission. Make sense? When I do this, I also want to replace the clutch. Maybe the starter as well.

    My car is a '90, with a 212 mm flywheel and a 20 spline count, I think.

    From my reading, the RT4WD used a different throwout bearing than the Civic & CRX Si.

    If the transmission is a 1990 or '91 it's pretty much a no brainer. I have to get a kit for a '90-'91 wagon. Who sells a wagon specific kit?

    If the transmission is from '88 or '89, what would I have to use for a flywheel, clutch and pressure plate?

    hi. You can always try your local dealer or online shops. I always get great deal online. it is just a matter of searching and comparing.
  • Mandalore88Mandalore88 Senior Wagonist
    Like Jaker said, gotta make sure you stay year specific if the trans is an 88

    Mine is an 88 so I went through this when I replaced my clutch

    clutchcityonline.com is where i got mine, pretty fair prices and fast shipping
  • Yeah I already had it figured out. The poster above you bumped the thread for an unknown reason.
  • I know this problem was resolved, but if anyone is browsing with a similar question I've got some info.

    If you have an 88-89 spec transmission with the smaller mainshaft size/spline count that would normally require the entirely smaller clutch/flywheel set-up you CAN run a much better set-up.

    Use a clutch disc for a 1986 Honda Prelude/

    This clutch disc is the same exact diameter friction surface as the 90-91 spec Civic clutch, but with the smaller 88-89 center/spline count.

    I used to run an 88-spec ZC main/countershaft/gear set in my 1990/1991 Civic, and I used the 86 Prelude 2.0Si clutch disc with the 90-91 spec Civic pressure plate and flywheel.
  • I know this is SUPER OLD. But will my 88 A6 flywheel mount up to a SOHC ZC non vtec? This looks to be the best place for an answer.
  • HaydzHaydz Moderator
    Yes as far as I recall all that matters is that you match the flywheel, T/O bearing and friction plate.
  • Hate to bring this back but I couldn't find the info I wanted I've got a 1990 2wd model wagon.I've got a 88 si tranny that getting bolted onto my d15b2 so I've got a clutch kit for an 88..with 21 splines.my question is will I be able to use my 1990 flywheel? Thanks
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