Considering Importing a Clutch, any advice..

[mpau009]

Right, iv been messing around with clutch plans for ages now, and i'm pretty sure i have my head around it.

I am looking for a single plate clutch and lighter flywheel combo to suit an EVO 7 or 8 (240mm). I know the flywheel locating ring will cause problems, so iv allowed to have either the flywheel machined to suit, or a spacer made (still need to look at the pros and cons of each option).

I want a sprung centre clutch, that can take a bit of extra power and handle a hard launch, but not be rediculous for driving around town.

Iv been looking for prices in NZ, and the best i can get for a heavy duty Exedy is between $1000 and $1500 depending on where i go, for the clutch only. I would like something along the lines of a fidanza flywheel, which seem to go for around the $500-600 mark.

So thats got me looking on ebay,

There seem to be a few quite big suppliers on there, and with the NZ dollar very strong against the US at the moment, it makes things easier.

Anyone who has upgraded their clutch, or is thinking about it, want to look at a few of these links and tell me they think before i fire off a bunch of $, and also advice from anyone whos had experience with ebay, since iv never used it before.

For about $1200NZ including guesstimated freight translates into roughly 700 -750odd US, which is around my ideal budget, these are my top three, what do ya reckon?

no.3 BRAND: F1
PRICE: 510US to buy
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/F1-ST...spagenameZWDVW

..too brutal for daily driving? anyone have any experience with the brand?

or
no. 2 BRAND: Exedy (flywheel as well)
Price: 600US to buy
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/EXEDY...spagenameZWDVW

...only a standard replacement clutch

or
current leader BRAND: Exedy, stage one kit
Price: 750US to buy
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/EXEDY...spagenameZWDVW

...12lb flywheel, versus some at around 10lbs?
Would there be much advantage in upgrading to the stage 2 clutch? can handle more torque (85%+ versus 45odd+)

Also, will i have to pay an importation tax if i buy from overseas? Or is that taken care of on their end?

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated, particularly if you've used any of these products.

Also any other contacts willing to ship to NZ would be great.

[Gly]

what about www.rhdjapan.com

uk guys have got parts from them with success, and also a few on MMC, have got parts from them,

[Gly]

Pro Shop Iida Galant Legnum Light Weight Flywheel and Clutch Kit
NOW ON SALE
You are viewing a Brand New Full Clutch Kit by the Mitsubishi specialists here in Japan, Pro Shop Iida.

When you are boosting up or driving your car harder than the average daily driver you are most likely to require a better more performance orientated clutch system. This clutch system when installed will give your engine a lighter faster throttle feel because of the lightened flywheel. It will also give you a little more bite when disengaging the clutch because of the metal rather than stock non-asbestos material in the clutch. The Pressure plate has more clamping force than the stock unit and will allow for larger horse power gains without slipping.

The unit comes with everything pictured. This is a great upgrade for those of you with the EC5A/EC5W Legnum/Galant! Get this and all your JDM only from RHDJapan!
Our Price: $ 1368.62 Shipped to New Zealand EMS

Our Price: $ 1359.57 Shipped to New Zealand Surface

[mpau009]

Yeah thanks, i was just looking at that, how did you get it to do it in NZ dollars? Iv got it in USD, which changed to like 1500 NZ?

Its just a matter of weighing up whether an exedy clutch would be any better for clamping force and drivability, and if its worth the hassle of fitting an evo flywheel..

I really need to work out what id be looking at for freight from the states. I might send off some emails.

Do you know if there is any extra tax on importing stuff like this or not?

[Gly]

sign up,

and once you have you can change it,
i think thats AU thou, Not NZ,
you cant specify NZ

you will be taxed if your purchase over $1000nz i think the limit is.
12.5%

so a 1000$ puchase and it would cost you $1125

unless you can get them to mark it sample??

[Subaru ETA]

question....do you really want a lightened flywheel? ( dont have my specticles on so cant be bothered reading your whole post )

i can get a heavy duty exedy clutch for vr4 for $800 for one...im thinking bout getting one but if you want one aswell might be able to get a deal

[mpau009]

question....do you really want a lightened flywheel? ( dont have my specticles on so cant be bothered reading your whole post )

i can get a heavy duty exedy clutch for vr4 for $800 for one...im thinking bout getting one but if you want one aswell might be able to get a deal

Uuumm i dont haaave to have one, but i figure since im going to do it, i might as well do it right, im planning on changing bearings and seals (and maybe gearsets) at the same time. I definately have a very small gearbox leak, so if its not too much more, i might as well give it a go.

$800 is a good price though, i couldnt get anyone to give me a price that wasnt retail.

The main problem i think im going to have is the state that the flywheel will be in.. judging by all the shuddering its going to require some work, so add the cost of machining that, and its getting to within a few hundred anyway. Plus i like the idea of getting matching items.

If it turns out i will have to pay an extra tax, then id definately be keen though.

[Subaru ETA]

you can get you std flywheel skimmed for $15 at abc on the shore. im gonna get more prices soon. now i gotta find someone to do it as im too lazy.

might have found a mitsi mechanic who will do it as a cashy but ill keep you posted

[Gly]

personally when/if my clutch lets go ill be getting one in from RHD,
as its made for ours cars,

i couldnt be botherd with a evo one that may not fit with out mods,
i dont see any bennifit in it

you dont have to get the lighten flywheel,
there are just clutch plates and pressure plates you can buy which are cheaper.

that was a just one item i found that could suit mikes needs.

[mpau009]

Yeah, i quite like the look of the proshop Iida stuff, but has anyone on here actually used one of their clutch covers, i guess thats the important bit for the type of use i need, i dont really care how heavy it is, its the clamping force that interests me? Axeboy used their flywheel and clutch plate, but went for a cusco cover.

They seem to have good prices at RHD, on the Proshop website its priced at $1500, but if you click on the do me a deal tab on RHD, you can get it for a landed cost of $1307 will have to wait a while for it though..

Gives me something to think about anyway, time for some more research methinks.

[Axeboy]

I have the kit stated above from RHDjapan/Pro Shop lida

Good kit, the flywheel is 50% of the OEM weight...

Clutch includes an exedy reinforced cover btw.

[mpau009]

I have the kit stated above from RHDjapan/Pro Shop lida

Good kit, the flywheel is 50% of the OEM weight...

Clutch includes an exedy reinforced cover btw.

Really, that sounds great then. How have you found it so far, or are you still bedding it in?

I think i might place an order after payday

[mpau009]

sign up,

and once you have you can change it,
i think thats AU thou, Not NZ,
you cant specify NZ

you will be taxed if your purchase over $1000nz i think the limit is.
12.5%

so a 1000$ puchase and it would cost you $1125

unless you can get them to mark it sample??

Stiiiiiink... From how i read it, all imports incur GST, and car parts have a combined customs duty of 21%

Oh and the cut off value is $399 not $1k

http://www.customs.govt.nz/nr/rdonly...actsheet28.pdf

Frigging thieves. I'll ring and confirm this week, but it looks like it would cost closer to $1600 than $1300

Still cheaper, but not as good as i would have hoped, i still have to find out whether that means they pay a goods tax at their end as well, or if it could come off the listed price..

Has anyone else struck this type of stuff buying of ebay or similar?

[Subaru ETA]

my bro used to be in logistics importing so ill see what he knows

[Gly]

https://www.rhdjapan.com/home/terms_...conditions.php

we are NOT responsible for applicable Import duties/and/or Taxes incurred into any Country; it is understood that import Tax charges and brokerage fees are the SOLE responsibility of the Importer we offer gift wrapping services for gifts.


get them to lable it gift, no tax that way

[mpau009]

get them to lable it gift, no tax that way

"Gifts with a declared value that is higher than $NZ110 attract Customs charges on the value in excess of $NZ110..."


David: that would be great to confirm, as there is quite a complex schedule of things that are exempt within the categories, but i'm not holding out too much hope.

Its probably still worth doing though. I might just have to wait for a few more weeks.

..The really stupid thing, is that the GST is calculated ON TOP of the customs added value.. so essentially you pay GST on the customs duty

[Axeboy]

Its a good setup...

Worth the money in my opinion.

It was hard to use at first but it seems far nicer to use now, makes a big difference in revs and getting power to the wheels without a slippy OEM clutch.

[Subaru ETA]

my bro is gonna give me the number of a customs broker on thursday who would be able to help you out

[You See]

Think if it's labelled "Sample" you can get away without paying additional charges.

[bradc]

'first commercial sample' normally gets my computer stuff through