There are virtually unlimited options when it comes to upgrading your car and its components. One is the clutch, which you can get as a Stage 2 performance part. But how does it differ from the stock clutch you’re already using?
A stock clutch is suitable for everyday driving and is therefore made of more affordable materials. However, a Stage 2 performance clutch is better suited for high-performance conditions like racing. As such, Stage 2 clutches are made from more durable materials like Kevlar. However, you can only use it if your other performance parts are also at Stage 2 to ensure they’re safe to use together.
This guide will help you understand what Stages are and how they apply to clutches. Then, you’ll see how stock and Stage 2 clutches differ, so you can understand which suits your needs best.
What Does Stage Mean In Clutches?
A Stage 2 clutch doesn’t work independently in your car. Instead, it works alongside several other performance parts. That’s why you must first understand tuning stages and how they relate to the clutch.
First and foremost, the term ‘stock’ refers to car parts in their original condition as they roll off the factory floor.
Meanwhile, the term ‘stage’ refers to car parts’ different performance tuning levels. As you go higher in the stages, you’ll need compatible parts to cope with the increased pressure.
That’s why moving your car from one stage to another typically involves buying multiple car parts together.
Differentiating performance parts according to their stages is crucial to ensure they work well together. For example, suppose you’re tuning your car to carry Stage 2 parts like a better exhaust and air intake. In that case, your engine will produce a much higher power output.
You must have a Stage 2 clutch to cope with that extra power. A stock clutch can’t keep up and will wear out very quickly.
Still, there’s one crucial thing to understand about performance upgrade stages.
The criteria for each stage (e.g. Stage 1 to Stage 5) are not universal. So, a Stage 2 clutch from one manufacturer might not be as good as a Stage 1 clutch from another company.
Despite that, the different performance stages are still handy to help differentiate the performance abilities of clutches and the performance parts they’re compatible with.
By having a rough idea of what stage a car part belongs to, you’ll have a much easier time ensuring that your Stage 2 clutch is compatible with all your other car parts.
What’s The Difference Between Stock And Stage 2 Clutches?
A Stage 2 performance clutch has several key differences between it and the stock clutch that came with your car when it was initially built.
Let’s dive deeper into those differences:
1. Applications
The first and most apparent difference between stock and Stage 2 clutches is their applications. In other words, each clutch is designed and built to be used in very different situations.
A stock clutch is suitable for everyday driving. That means it’ll last a very long time and perform well as you drive on your morning commute or perhaps even long distances when you go on a road trip.
However, a Stage 2 clutch is better suited for more punishing applications, such as motorsports.
A stock clutch will quickly suffer damage and excessive wear if you use it for racing purposes, like during street, drag, or autocross racing. However, a Stage 2 clutch would hold up perfectly well under those conditions.
Above, you saw that stock and Stage 2 clutches differ in their applications. As a side effect, the two clutches are also differentiated by the materials manufacturers use to make them.
Stock clutches are required to last a long time, but the daily conditions they experience aren’t too demanding. So, manufacturers make them from a combination of more affordable materials like steel, iron, rubber, chopped glass, and more.
On the other hand, the demanding applications that Stage 2 clutches experience require them to be built for more challenging conditions. As a result, those clutches typically consist of more durable materials like Kevlar disks and steel backing.
Another crucial difference between the two clutches is their installation use.
Stock clutches are incredibly straightforward to install. But, of course, that’s because they’re already compatible with the car and all its other components, so there are no compatibility issues.
Suppose your stock clutch became worn out or got damaged somehow. In that case, you can just remove it and install an identical replacement without any worries.
However, installing a Stage 2 clutch is trickier.
Remember: your new clutch might be a Stage 2 model, but the other components under the hood are all stock parts. As a result, you’ll also have to upgrade other performance parts to ensure they can all work together without causing any damage.
Besides that, a stock clutch is much more straightforward when shifting gears. After all, Stage 2 clutches are designed for use by skilled drivers rather than everyday drivers. So, they’re not designed with ease of use in mind like stock clutches are.
Stock and performance clutches have the same function: to transmit torque between the engine and the transmission. Doing so helps the engine deliver a power output moving the vehicle forward.
Still, they differ in how they contribute to that power output. A Stage 2 clutch is undoubtedly much more effective at that role compared to a stock one.
As a result, you’ll get significantly better acceleration and uphill performance from a Stage 2 clutch than you would with a stock one.
Last but certainly not least, the difference between both clutches is their need for accompanying upgrades.
In the previous section, you read that upgrading your vehicle to a higher performance stage involves upgrading multiple parts together. That’s because several components must be compatible to ensure they don’t suffer damage from the increased demands they experience.
The same is also valid for clutches.
You don’t have to buy other parts simultaneously when replacing a stock clutch. Your car will work fine with the new clutch because all its other components are already compatible.
However, if you want a Stage 2 clutch in your car, you must also ensure that your other performance parts are at the Stage 2 level. That way, none of them will cause excess wear on the other, and they will all function well for a long time.
Final Thoughts
So remember, a Stage 2 clutch is designed for high-performance use, while stock clutches are best for daily driving. As such, there are several key differences between the two.
Generally, Stage 2 clutches are more challenging to use, and installing them will require your other performance parts to be Stage 2 as well. However, they offer better power output and performance, making your car much faster overall.
Stage 2 clutches are also made from much more durable materials to ensure they don’t wear out under high-performance conditions. Those conditions would quickly damage a stock clutch incapable of handling the extra power.
All-in-all, a Stage 2 clutch will benefit you if you require better output from your car, such as for street or drag racing.
