+1 for the Exedy Heavy Duty clutch.
I put one in my Gen 3 3sgte about almost 5 years ago and it has been awesome - never slipped, easy in traffic but still bites hard when fully engaged.

Hey do you guys think the HD clutch might be a little harder on the tranny over stock? I went with stock (still feels good after 2.5 years and couple track days) since the car being mid engined it's already harder on the box than FR.
 
Just talking S54 tranny here not the E153. Reason I ask is my diff just gave out :(

Tree
Hey do you guys think the HD clutch might be a little harder on the tranny over stock? I went with stock (still feels good after 2.5 years and couple track days) since the car being mid engined it's already harder on the box than FR.
 
Just talking S54 tranny here not the E153. Reason I ask is my diff just gave out :(

I was actually wondering the same thing.....

Can't speak for s54, but for e153, they're tough & will handle it without issue. I've used just about every clutch type over the years except carbon & only synchros have ever failed me.

How much harder it is on the tranny really comes down to the person operating the clutch pedal. The clutch disc itself is still for the most part the same, it has an organic facing with a sprung centre, and most of the time will have a near identical compsition from the springs and dampers in the centre, and the organic lining is almost identical. The heavy duty comes in from the additional clamping force in the clutch cover assembly. The ratio ie pivot of the diaphragm fingers is usually altered to keep a near stock pedal effort, but the springs etc allow it to provide a higher clamping force, which gives the clutch a better resistance to slipping while disengaged and power is applied.

So as long as the operator of the vehicle is smooth in the disengagement of the clutch, the difference in shock load to the gearbox is minimal. Dumping the clutch on the other hand will obviously create a higher shock load.

This is why companies like nismo and jim berry are able to create high power/torque capable single/multi plate clutches with organic friction plates. They select an organic based full faced clutch disc that has a high heat resistance (copper mixed sachs discs are common) and use a high clamping force clutch cover with a good ratio for minimal increase in pedal effort.

For example, jim berry built a single plate clutch for a customers 400awkw gtr. It had a single plate copper organic sprung centre with a 5700lb clamp pressure clutch cover. As he isnt a magician, the pedal was quite heavy, but it had the manners of a near standard clutch. The standard gearbox held up for 5 years, until the customer took it to calder park and tried dumping the clutch at 6500rpm.

Hope that explanation helps

Mmm that explanation was more than I could ask for so much appreciated. No need for textbook when we have Mr MCT here lol
Rick I suppose it comes down to personal preference then, I remember the prices when I got mine done was $180 OEM vs $300 for HD both Exedy which would've been worth it at the time. My clutch might be OEM but I have my clutch pedal setup to be very short so it still somewhat "sporty" I suppose
 
For the record and for you NA guys, I was also guilty of dumping the clutch LOL (and it was a wet day too which should've been "easier" on the car , well I guess it makes sense since the first engine died, so it's logical it was next)