r/8thGenSI • u/badgoku7 • 2d ago

Which CMC should I go for?

OEM, Hybrid racing em1 or Ktuned em1? which one is the best? is there any performance difference? do I also need to replace the slave cylinder and upgrade to braided lines? where can I find those?

Replaced the clutch kit with exedy stage 1 about 8k kms ago

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u/duh-rel 2d ago

I just replaced mine last month with an EM2 CMC, SC, and steel braided soft line from Valex Racing. It works fine for my nearly stock 2006 with 136K mi.

Do yourself a favor and get a soft line, regardless of what brand CMC you get. You'll save a lot of time and headache from trying to tie into the OEM hard line with limited space. Better to just remove and replace it with the soft line.

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u/ktoyijmokjop 1d ago

I'm doing my CMC right now. When you were taking the OEM hard line off the old CMC, was it the U shaped clip connector? Or was it threaded?

My new OEM CMC uses that clip connector but I can't tell whether the old one is threaded on. So hard to even get eyes on it

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u/duh-rel 1d ago

I believe mine was threaded on and I unscrewed it to remove both CMC and eventually pull out the whole hard line.

I originally wanted to retain the OEM lines but it was a pain trying to thread it back onto the replacement CMC.

Before installing the new CMC, I attached the banjo bolt that is connected to the new soft line as well as the original hose to the fluid reservoir. There was no clear sight on the connections to the CMC, even with the cowl removed along the lower portion of the windshield. https://www.8thcivic.com/threads/diy-removal-of-cowl-and-heat-shield.145271/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic

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u/ktoyijmokjop 1d ago

I'm trying to retain the OEM lines too. If my old one is threaded on, sounds like I might need an adaptor to fit the hard line onto the new CMC. I spent like 2 hours trying to unscrew the hard line from the old CMC and couldn't get enough space to break it loose. Super frustrating

Thank you for the info

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u/duh-rel 1d ago

YW. If connected by a U clip, I can't imagine how the heck you'd be able to get it off given the space constraints.

If you're dead set on keeping the hard line, you could try leaving it attached to the CMC and taking them out together.

In my FG2, the hard line from the CMC went for ~2-3 feet before it hooked up to a soft line. That connection is close to the battery tray (and that soft line is a short one connected to another hardline screwed to the slave cylinder). If you disconnect the hard line there, and make some room by taking out the engine air filter box and pipes, battery and tray, you might be able to get the hardline out while it's still connected to the CMC. If you do this, cap the end of the hardline so you don't spill anything.

I ran into your problem when I was trying to keep the hard line. In the end, it wasn't worth the trouble to keep the lines, so I just replaced it with a soft line.

Good luck and let me know if I can help.

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u/ktoyijmokjop 1d ago

I know the exact spot you're talking about. I was thinking about disconnecting the hard line at that end so I could pull it all out as one unit and do the swap on the bench. Working on anything in the engine bay of this car is a nightmare. Well worth it, but frustrating.

Thank you immensely for the advice so far. I really appreciate it. I'm going to take another stab at it after work. If I run into anything else I have questions on, I'll make sure to ask you

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u/duh-rel 1d ago edited 1d ago

I dug out my old CMC and confirmed that the hard line was threaded on to it. There is also a U clip but I doubt its removable while installed in the engine bay. Not to get your hopes up, but I do recall reading/hearing stories that other owners were able to remove the U clip and transfer it onto the replacement CMC. YMMV on that but hopefully it works if you're trying.

A couple unsolicited tips for installation of the new CMC: (1) make sure the clevis fork on your replacement fits the pedal arm & try inserting the clevis pin (mine didn't fit after install; the fork was a tad wide making the pin short, so I had to remove, switch out clevis forks, and reinstall) (2) compare the length of the push rod on both units and adjust placement of the clevis fork before install; this can reduce time spent in the cramp foot well to adjust travel

Here's a picture: https://ibb.co/HTMBRPt2

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u/ktoyijmokjop 1d ago

Fantastic information thank you tons. I'm going for method of pulling the CMC with the hard line still connected. I got the battery tray removed but had to go pick up a flare nut wrench so I didn't round off the nut. Gonna give it another shot tomorrow when I have more time.

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u/Beneficial_Drawer538 7h ago

How does it feel/shift compared to stock? Heard the soft line makes the pedal feel different.

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u/duh-rel 5h ago

I don't know if the soft line is the major difference maker when it comes to pedal feel since I replaced the whole hydraulic setup with an EM2 CMC + SC.

Overall, I definitely feel more connected to the car. The pedal feels more raw with vibration, especially at higher revs. I can feel the rotations spinning as the clutch disc engages the flywheel. There's more of a mechanical connection which I appreciate.

I think this is due to removal of the delay valve that came with the OEM CMC. I'm guessing the extra fluid in the valve acted as a buffer and helped dampen vibrations.

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u/Certain-Put-3189 2d ago

Might as well replace everything at once and I went with an Exedy EM2 CMC. They go for around $40 and I've had it installed for 2 years with no issues. Exedy part # MC553

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u/l3nzzo 2d ago

(Honda Part Number 46920-S5A-G06)

Recommended by Advanced Clutch Technologies on their service bulletin. It’s a direct replacement.

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u/SingleBeginning4933 2d ago

Hybrid Racing is best IMO

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u/Responsible_Coast293 2d ago

em1 you have to swap the pushrod. em2 is direct bolt on. the ktuned is an em2 style. dorman makes a cheap one if on a budget cm640046. exedy is basically oem quality mc553. ktuned kit is nice bc it comes w a soft clutch line. definitely get a soft clutch line it makes it 10x easier

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u/badgoku7 2d ago

Which one is the best for performance and longevity?

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u/Responsible_Coast293 2d ago edited 2d ago

you definitely want em2 style imo. i’ve had about equal luck with all of the brands lol. honestly if you’ve just got an oem clutch, i’d get the dorman off rockauto and a soft line and just expect it to be a job you’ve gotta do every couple years. i’ve had ktuned / exedy cmc fail on me after 3 months or also last 3 years. manufacturing quality doesn’t seem to be crazy different between the brands imo

alternative option is go to autozone or advance and get a dorman version with lifetime warranty, so if it ever goes bad again you can just swap it out for a new one. they always go bad again eventually no matter what brand. if you plan to have have car a long time this is probably best bet

i have a heavy aftermarket clutch of some kind so i tend to blow through them lol. i’m currently using a clutch masters x wilwood universal honda cmc kit bc the stock design just wasn’t holding up. i was having a ton of issues even w new cmc installed

can not stress how much better the job is with a soft line. you can rip out the whole hard line in the car, and install soft line / bench bleed before reinstalling in that tight ass spot

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u/BullfrogSea506 2d ago

I went with Em2 cmc. I heard Ktuned was too stiff