ACS performance clutch vs. LCE pro kit

I'm wondering if anyone has a comparison between these two manufacturers? I know LCE has great reviews, and I'm about to pull the trigger on the pro clutch kit for my 1999 tacoma 2.7 4x4. It sounds like they have a wonderful product:
http://www.lceperformance.com/Pro-Clutch-Kit-3RZ-95-04-10-p/1053031.htm


I just recently noticed that there is a company called ACS (all clutch systems) performance. They sell their product on eBay, and damn if it doesn't look identical to the LCE pro kit. Normally I would go with LCE because of their reviews, but this one is HALF PRICE, about 160$. SO, I wanted to know: does anyone had any experience first hand with ACS??. here is the link to their website:
http://www.allclutchsystem.com/ACS-Stage-2-Clutch-Kit-16090S2-16090S2.htm

product on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ACS-STAGE-2-PRO-RACING-CLUTCH-KIT-1994-2004-TOYOTA-4RUNNER-T100-TACOMA-2-4L-2-7L-/221915825799?fits=Model:Tacoma&hash=item33ab36c687:g:zgsAAOxyjxlTK0Cc&vxp=mtr



I'll probably end up going with LCE, but I know these pressure plates, clutches, and bearings are selected by engineers and purchased from a variety of suppliers. As far as I understand, LCE doesn't manufacture the pressure plate in their clutch kit, so there may be a slight chance that the ACS clutch uses the same pressure plate/ friction disc as LCE. Maybe the LCE clutch disc is far superior? I don't know. thanks for any input

 

I couldnt find anyone who could testify to the quality of the ACS clutch, so I ordered my pro kit from LCE, and it ahould be here this weekend. I got a Luk flywheel on Amazon prime for 65$, great deal for an oem part.

This will be my first time doing a clutch, and Ill be doing it by myself most likely. So I threw together a transmission fixture for my little autozone jack. It looks funny but I think it will work:





The hooks on the sides are so that I can run a strap around the tranny, advice from my buddy who is a mechanic

 

The LCE clutch just came in! Planning on throwing it in tomorrow...



Im still deciding whether or not to replace the tranny fluid, ive got about 25k on the redline MT-90 in there. Its a great lubricant, and I dont wheel the truck much so I was hoping to get another 10k out of the fluid... Any advice is welcome.

I also bought an OEM toyota rear main seal, 37$, ouch!

 

Well the transmission jack worked really well. I did the oil pan seal and replaced the clutch. The tranny did NOT want to separate. Ended up being a slightly corroded dowel on the top of the engine. I had to take the hood off and use a chisel with a 2 food extension (duct tape), whacked it hard once and the tranny popped.

Heres some pics of the oil pan removal and prep (romoved bolts from lower ball joint on drivers side, popped out cv axle, dropped diff and was able to get oil pan out. Mild pain in the ass)







New rear main seal, hoping it works, i pressed it in until the seal was flush withe the inside of the chamfered edge on the housing...



Oil pan back in !!!




LCE Pro Clutch

 

Forgot to mention, when i went to throw in the brand new Luk flywheel, i noticed there was a considerable casting defect. I hope they balance and inspect their flywheels prior to shipping because if this thing vibrates....

 

FYI

 

Drove the truck today. The LCE pro clutch is much tighter and definitely grabs quicker than the old clutch. the surprising thing is that the clutch pedal seems a little easier to push in than before. I found that this is common for other Pro clutch drivers.

No vibrations or anything from the flywheel, overall success

 

I have no need for a clutch in mine, but thank you for these pics. I had always wondered if it was normal to have those two studs sticking out of the crankcase for the oil pan. Looking at them on mine, i wondered if the previous owner striped the threads and that was their fix.

Curious, what did you use to lock the crankshaft when putting the flywheel in?

Also, love that DIY transmission stand. Ugly as hell but 100% functional.

 

Nice write up. How many miles were on your old clutch? I have 220k on my original so I'm expecting to put a new one in at anytime. Did you drop transmission and transfer case as one or separate them? Did you replace your oil pan gasket because it was leaking?

 

Thanks. 150k and I could have gotten more miles out of the clutch but I figured I would take care of it now since I have some extra time on my hands. Dropped the transmission and transfer case together. Yes i did the oil pan seal beacuse it was leaking.

 

Another hand and a crow bar with a bolt sticking out of engine housing if I recall correctly. I didnt replace the flywheel bolts even though it is recommended.