transmission/clutch question

[rice]

a quick question, for an automatic car, the car has a transmission, and for a manual car the car has a clutch (which is also called a transmission for a manual car?? right??)

i have a 94 5-spd, anybody know where i can get a good clutch that handle modifications well?? i searched but couldn't and wasn't sure, so asking from all you guys out there, do i buy the "clutch kit"?? does it include everything i need already? or am i gonna have to buy the clutch kit, then a pressure plate, disc, throwout bearing, etc etc?

whats all the necessary parts for a complete clutch?? and what about lightweight flywheels? i've heard its no use if you're planning on driving on highways and normal driving? and it can actually do some harm? is this true?

[Chris Corolla S]

Slow down there dude.
The automatic transmission has a hydrostatic clutch (discs suspended in fluid).

The Manual transmission has a manual clutch.

They both have gear boxes.

Go here and read a lot please please: http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car.htm
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/clutch1.htm
You can get a good ACT street clutch for your car that will handle any power you can scrape out of your 7a-fe: Clutches for AE102s

[rice]

so does a manual transmission wear out?? should i replace it? or should i just replace my clutch?and shouldn't the ACT street clutch be more cheaper than the race clutch? cuz you're not gonna be abusing it that much on the streets so it shouldn't be all that "bulletproof" now, would it? thanks for clearing things up!

[Chris Corolla S]

For 99% of street cars, the transmission (gear box) should last the life of the car.

In an A/T, the "clutch" is an integrated part and doesn't need to be changed like with a M/T.
Sometimes high mileage cars will have to have the A/T rebuilt or replaced.

In a M/T car, the clutch is a wear item because it has a disc that meets up with the flywheel. Like brake pads, the disc has a friction surfae that does wear out over time. The more you abuse it (higher power levels, clutch dumps, launching, etc.) the faster it wears out. The Manual transmission (gear box) itself will not need to be changed unless you are putting out like twice your stock horsepower.

Don't worry about race discs. They will not be suitable for driving in traffic.

Please actually read the part in that link about how clutches work.
It has nifty animated pictures of each part!
The pressure plate or clutch cover determines how hard the clutch disc presses against the flywheel (and alot of the pedal feel) and the material of the disc determines how it engages (i.e., on/off switch like a race disc or smooth like a street car.)