What Is The Best Honda K-Series Clutch for Daily Driving?

This has to be the most common question when a customer is trying to choose a K-Series clutch for daily driving. Today, we will review some options and compare each so you don't have to.

So, what makes an excellent daily driving K20 clutch?

The easiest way to answer this is the closest feeling to OEM whilst still being able to hold the power you are currently running.

I've run countless clutches from multiple different cars and specs. In my experience, although you can use a multi-puck or twin plate clutch if you want to, they do become a pain, especially in traffic!

You need an iron leg to use these sorts of K-Series clutches daily, so onto the first and foremost question to help you decide which clutch to go for.

One disclaimer in this article is that these recommendations are simple: to get the car from A to B with a bit of sending it in between.

These don't cover hard launches or occasionally taking the car to a track day, as this would likely change the clutch option you would go for.

Photo: Instagram @ep3_brenny

How Much Power Does Your K-Series Make?

This is the first question that needs answering before we can go any further, as this will 100% dictate which K-Series clutch kit you decide to go for.

Each clutch is tested and rated to a specific torque and horsepower level. If you exceed this, you will likely burn the friction plate out much faster, and the clutch will slip and need replacing sooner.

For example, if you are currently on a totally stock K-Series, then an Exedy OEM clutch or Competition Clutch OEM specification clutch would be the go-to.

If you're running more power, you'll need to look at a slightly higher stage, which we'll go into now.

Which Stage K-Series Clutch Is Best For Daily Driving?

So, depending on the manufacturer, there are loads of stage options to choose from, and each one differs in power and torque rating for each brand.

Below, we'll go into the most common options and compare them as best as possible with the information available.

The K20 clutch kits below will include an organic friction disc, except one, where the clutch material covers the entire face. They offer the smoothest engagement of the clutch and generally the most extended life over something such as a 6-puck clutch.

Organic K-Series clutches are perfect for daily driving due to this. Still, they wear down very fast and are unsuitable when subject to prolonged abuse or high RPM gear changes.

OEM Specification Clutch

The first option on the list is the OEM specification clutch, which is just a perfect OEM replacement.

If you're running stock power and use the car to drive around without hitting the redline daily, then the OEM spec clutch is the one for you!

They are also generally the cheapest options, designed to be the longest lasting as they are primarily under the least stress.

Stage 1 K-Series Clutch

A stage 1 clutch is for a lightly modified K-Series, and most kits on the market would be between a 25% to 50% increase in horsepower.

For example, the Exedy Racing stage 1 organic clutch is suitable for up to a 30% increase in torque and 40% higher clamping load than stock.

Stage 1 clutches almost always use an organic friction plate. Hence, they are not too dissimilar to the OEM specification clutches regarding pedal feel and transition.

This will be the perfect clutch if you run minor naturally aspirated bolt-ons, such as an air intake, inlet manifold, exhaust system, ECU remap, etc.

Stage 2 K-Series Clutch

Next up on the K-Series daily driving list would be the stage 2 option and our last stage on this list.

Although you can use any clutch if you really want to, this is as far as we'd go for pure daily use.

Stage 2 is where everything changes, and you can get the "sports" model from some manufacturers here, such as the Exedy stage 2 sports clutch, which comes with a 4-puck pressure plate.

Most of the stage 2 options can range from a 40%-80% increase in torque capacity, which makes them a great choice if you're going to daily drive a low-boost turbocharged build or a high-compression naturally aspirated engine.

We recommend this for anywhere up to around the 300bhp mark.

As you can imagine, they are the most expensive option here but will hold the most power out of the other options above.

Keep on reading, as later on, we will compare all the different options in terms of torque capacity and pricing so you can easily and quickly decide on the best choice for you.

Can I Daily Anything Over a Stage 2 K-Series Clutch?

The simple answer is yes. You can daily drive almost any clutch on the market, but whether you would want to or not is a different story!

When it comes to the more extreme clutches, such as the 4 and 6-puck versions or twin plates, they become increasingly harsher to drive on the road, and the pedal and biting point gets harsher.

I drove a Competition Clutch Stage 4 daily in my old B-Series turbocharged build, running around 500bhp. Although it held great power, I prayed for an organic clutch when I could see heavy traffic ahead.

It would also be down to personal preference. Some customers like that it feels like a race car with a heavier clutch. However, I would avoid this for purely daily driving and stick with organic (your leg will thank you later!).

Best K-Series Clutch Brand For Daily Driving?

Hundreds of clutch manufacturers are on the market, but we will compare the most common ones we sell or deal with daily.

We have more experience with these brands and can easily compare each one.

The three best options here are, Exedy, Competition Clutch and RPC, and we'll include a table underneath each one so you can quickly compare drivability, price and torque level.

Exedy Oem Clutch Kit For Honda K-Series K20A K20Z

Exedy Stage 1 Clutch Kit For Honda K-Series K20A K20Z

Exedy Racing Single Series Stage 2 Sports Clutch Kit

Competition Clutch Oem Honda K-Series

Competition Clutch Stage 2 For Honda K-Series

Rpc Stage 1 Clutch Kit For Honda K-Series

Rpc Stage 2 Clutch Kit For Honda K-Series

After comparing the options above, you can decide on the best fit for your car.

Finally, if I chose an OEM replacement clutch for daily driving, I would choose the Exedy OEM clutch kit. If modified to around 300bhp, I would choose the Competition Clutch Stage 2 as both options are the best value for money versus performance.

Should I Replace My K-Series Flywheel With The Clutch?

This question always depends on the state of the flywheel and how worn it has become over time. Still, it's always good practice to change them simultaneously.

Over time, the flywheel can become warped or develop heat spots due to prolonged strain or just a massive amount of heat cycles, so whilst you're there, it makes sense to upgrade to have the best setup possible.

In our EP3 gearbox and transmission guide we did cover flywheels and the weight difference and advantage of going with a lightweight version over stock.

It may be worth a read if you want to look at the flywheel or anything else gearbox and transmission-related.

Some manufacturers also recommend going with an aftermarket flywheel to pair with their k20 clutch kit, such as the Competition Clutch Stage 2, to be paired with their Lightweight flywheel for ultimate performance.

Photo: Instagram @dat_gray_ep3

Conclusion

So we've covered all of the most common K-Series clutch kits to daily drive with, and hopefully you can now decide on which one to go for using the handy table above!

If you have any other questions regarding this article or anything clutch related, please drop us a message below, or head to our contact form.

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And, if you want to learn more about the K-Series or the Honda Civic EP3, head to one of our related articles below

• 8 best Honda Civic EP3 gearbox and transmission upgrades
• 9 best Honda Civic EP3 interior upgrades
• 6 best Honda Civic EP3 braking upgrades
• How to build a Honda Civic EP3 fuel return system
• The ultimate Honda Civic EP3 suspension guide