Testarossa Clutch choices in 2025 (USA)

The clutch on my 1988 Testarossa is slipping (at 50k miles) and I've been busy search this forum. I've gathered there are 3 options from most expensive to least:

Choice #1 512TR Clutch from Hill Engineering around $5,800 (Ricambi price incl 15% US tariff)
https://www.hillengineering.co.uk/cck-testarossa
https://www.ricambiamerica.com/testarossa-clutch-conversion-kit.html

All inclusive kit and upgrades the dual plate to the 512TR and later single plate design, drop shipped from Hill Engr in a week. The Ricambi rep said comes with no instructions, take it to a shop.
Found a few references here from folks that said they've done it, but couldn't find details on either installation or satisfaction. Any links or feedback?

I looked at the 512TR WSM and appears simpler that the shimming and clearances required on the dual plate option below. Not sure if it's worth the added cost for me, easier clutch operation and subsequent changes will be easier/less frequent is the claim I suppose?


Choice #2. Dual Plate "OEM" or similar.
Lot of previous mentions of an AP Racing clutch kit, but I can't seem to locate a dealer that carries this - so NLA?
Rutlands: "OEM" is $3850, TO bearing $480, seals $250, so approx $4,600
AW Italia: Mfr is Come' or something like that, $3000 clutch, approx $3,400 incl seals and TO

From the threads I've read, getting the pressure-plate preload and various clearances is hit or miss, with some saying they just popped it in and it worked fine, and others struggling with getting it right. It's not clear to me if the clutch assembly comes with various spacers or I need to hunt and search for them.


Choice #3 Rebuild your current clutch
Looks to be the cheapest option if you know what you're doing, sound like you'd better check each dimension and it often requires sending it back if its not right. Need to diametrically oppose the heavy "H" parts of the twin clutch plates, balance the combo of PP, intermediate ring, and spacer. Check taper pins that have a shoulder, and turn it down, etc. All this in addition to the above. Groan!
www.allfrictions.com
https://clutchmasters.com: $1,800, 10 day turnaround. They claim they will rebalance, etc. Do they?

Oh boy, I'm stuck in analysis paralysis, could use some help.

First off, is this list the additional seals and parts I need, or am I missing other items like gaskets and such? I know I'll need exhaust gasket and bolts - any body have specs/source?




For the X = B - (A+C+D) equation, the WSM shows how to get A and B. For D, I just stick a feeler gauge in the flywheel slot?

Any other choices/retailers I should look at for under the Choice#2?

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Thanks Brian, Where is this available to purchase? It's my first choice, but no one seems to have it in stock, I've called the usual vendors

That's good to hear, would you mind expanding your feedback?

 

So from Superperfornace, the Hill Engr clutch is USD $3,185 + $75 shipping, and I'll be responsible for customs/tariff, so assuming it would be 15% that's a tad over $5K, so slightly cheaper than Ricambi

 

AP is backordered and superperformance as well as US retailers are saying that is NLA (no longer available).

Does anybody have an AP Racing clutch pack for sale or know of a retailer that has it in stock (listed on website generally means nothing) ?

 

Interesting point, when I was searching I saw a couple of posts that asked if the clutch could be adjusted by removing spacers. If I recall, the posts said this was in the BB manual, but it should apply to the TR as well. Never saw an authoritative answer to that question, but it seems like if you’re doing all the work to get open the bell housing, you might as well replace. Had the Hill Engr kit incorporated that it would have been compelling for me

 

So I got time to work on it over the weekend and got the bell housing off. Before taking off the pressure plate, is it possible to measure the “C” dimension (“distance between working surface and pressure plate supporting surface”) in the WSM? Or anything else so I have a “before” and “after” set of measurements?

it also looks like the X spacer is installed above the leaf, not under like its supposed to be?

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A few questions with Testarossa clutch install

 

The weekend shade tree wannabe mechanic is back at it. Decided to go with the Hill single plate unit, can anyone advise if it comes with the rear main oil seal and the two O-rings around the transmission shaft? I assume “while I’m in there” I do want to change out the RMS, correct?

Anything else I should be changing that’s not included in the Hill kit?


And here’s what the clutch looks like, is this OEM original clutch or has it been swapped out previously? It’s got “FMA” logo and “57528 flywheel side” stamped on it. Any comments on its current state?

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Rear main seal