Next Level Performance
August 23, 2026 • 10 min read
The best Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86 clutch kits replace a factory disc that runs out of clamping force the moment you add power or track heat. The 2013-2020 BRZ, Scion FR-S, and Toyota 86 share the naturally aspirated FA20 flat-four — 200 hp at 7,000 rpm and 151 lb-ft at 6,400 rpm — and a single organic clutch that was speced for stock output, not for a supercharger, a big turbo, or repeated 7,400-rpm launches. This guide ranks six proven upgrades from Exedy and XClutch, from a $279 street disc to a $1,919 twin-disc built for forced-induction FA20 builds, so you can match holding power to your setup without over-clutching a daily driver.
Our Verdict
For most bolt-on and lightly tuned FA20 street cars, the Exedy Stage 2 Cerametallic is our top pick — proven grip with a near-stock pedal. Chasing big turbo or supercharger power? The XClutch 10.5-inch Twin is the do-it-once answer.
Stock-ish daily drivers are best served by the Exedy Stage 1 Organic at around $279, while a lightweight flywheel sharpens throttle response on any of these kits.
Shop Our Top Pick →Why the FA20 Clutch Needs an Upgrade
The factory FA20 clutch is a single dry organic disc sized for the engine's stock 151 lb-ft of torque. It is smooth and quiet, but its clamp load leaves almost no margin. Add a cold-air intake, headers, and a tune and you are already near the edge; bolt on a Sprintex or Edelbrock supercharger or an HKS turbo kit and the stock disc will glaze, slip, and cook — usually first in the higher gears under boost. Track-day drivers hit the same wall from heat: repeated hard launches and rev-matched downshifts overwhelm the organic friction material and the pedal starts to feel vague.
An upgraded clutch fixes this two ways: a stronger pressure plate raises clamp load so the disc stops slipping, and a more aggressive friction material (cerametallic or ceramic) survives far more heat than stock organic. The trade-off is engagement feel — the grabbier the material, the sharper the take-up and the more low-speed chatter you accept. The goal is to buy just enough holding power for your power level, because an over-specced race clutch makes a street car miserable in traffic.
How We Ranked These BRZ / 86 Clutch Kits
At NLP Performance in Tampa, FL, we sell and ship FA20 driveline parts every week, and we ranked these six kits on the four things that actually matter to a 86/BRZ owner: holding power relative to your build, street driveability (pedal effort and chatter), disc and hub construction (sprung vs. rigid, organic vs. ceramic, single vs. twin), and value. Every kit below is a complete, direct-fit assembly for the 2.0L FA20 — no custom machining — and each links to a live, in-stock listing. Prices shown update automatically from our store; running figures in the text are approximate.
1. XClutch 10.5" Twin Sprung Organic — Best for Forced Induction
A cerametallic disc face handles far more heat than the factory organic material.
2. Exedy Stage 2 Cerametallic Thick Disc — Best Overall for Tuned Street Cars
3. Exedy Stage 1 Organic — Best Value for Street & Light Mods
The Stage 1 organic disc keeps a factory-smooth pedal for daily driving.
4. XClutch Stage 2 Cushioned Ceramic — Aggressive Street & Track
5. XClutch Stage 1 Extra-HD Sprung Organic — Heavy-Duty Daily
6. Exedy Lightweight Flywheel (12.7 lbs) — Best Complement
The 12.7 lb Exedy flywheel drops roughly 6 lbs of rotating mass versus stock.
BRZ / 86 Clutch Kit Comparison
| Kit | Disc Type | Best For | Driveability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exedy Stage 2 CerametallicTop Pick | Cerametallic, single | Tuned street & track | Near-stock, slight chatter | $467.63 |
| XClutch 10.5" Twin Sprung Organic | Organic, twin-disc | Big turbo / supercharger | Street-friendly for a twin | $1,919.81 |
| XClutch Stage 2 Cushioned Ceramic | Ceramic, single | Aggressive street & autocross | Quick, grabby bite | $759.49 |
| XClutch Stage 1 Extra-HD Organic | Organic, single | Heavy-duty daily | Stock-like feel | $757.50 |
| Exedy Stage 1 Organic | Organic, single | Street & light mods | Smoothest, factory-like | $279.02 |
Top Pick Key Specs — Exedy Stage 2
How to Choose the Right Clutch Stage
Match the clutch to your power, not your ambition. For a stock or lightly modified NA 86/BRZ — intake, exhaust, tune — the Exedy Stage 1 Organic keeps a factory-smooth pedal and adds just enough clamp. Stepping up to a tuned, track-driven NA car, the Exedy Stage 2 Cerametallic (or XClutch Stage 2 Ceramic) trades a little refinement for heat resistance that survives repeated abuse. Running forced induction — a supercharger or a 300-plus-wheel-horsepower turbo — is where the XClutch 10.5-inch Twin earns its keep, spreading torque across two discs so it holds boost without a brutal pedal. Whatever clutch you choose, an Exedy lightweight flywheel is a cheap way to wake up throttle response, since the FA20 loves losing rotating mass.
Two practical tips: always replace the release bearing and inspect the slave cylinder while the transmission is out, and consider a fresh flywheel resurface or lightweight flywheel rather than reusing a heat-spotted stock unit. Need help matching a kit to your build? Browse our BRZ & 86 clutch collection or message the NLP Performance team in Tampa.
Reusing a heat-spotted stock flywheel undoes a new clutch; upgrade or resurface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to upgrade the clutch on a bolt-on 2013-2020 BRZ or 86?
Not always. A stock FA20 clutch will usually survive intake, exhaust, and a tune on a street car. Upgrade once you add forced induction, drive the car hard on track, or notice slip (rpm climbing without matching speed) in the higher gears under load.
What is the best clutch for a supercharged or turbo FA20?
For forced-induction FA20 builds the XClutch 10.5-inch Twin Sprung Organic is our top choice. Its two sprung-organic discs spread the extra torque over twice the friction area, so it holds boost reliably while keeping a street-usable pedal — unlike a single aggressive puck clutch.
Will an upgraded clutch make my 86/BRZ hard to drive?
It depends on the friction material. Sprung-organic discs (Exedy Stage 1, XClutch Stage 1, XClutch Twin) keep a near-stock, smooth engagement. Cerametallic and ceramic discs (Exedy Stage 2, XClutch Stage 2) bite quicker and add some low-speed chatter, which is a fair trade for their heat capacity.
Should I add a lightweight flywheel with my new clutch?
A lightweight flywheel is one of the best-value FA20 mods. The Exedy 12.7 lb unit is roughly 6 lbs lighter than stock, letting the engine rev faster and rev-match more crisply. It pairs with any clutch in this guide; the only trade-offs are a slightly busier idle and needing a bit more care on hill starts.
Do these Scion FR-S clutches also fit the Subaru BRZ and Toyota 86?
Yes. The Scion FR-S, Subaru BRZ, and Toyota 86 all use the same 2.0L FA20 flat-four and transmission through 2020, so these FR-S-listed Exedy and XClutch kits are the correct fit for the BRZ and the 2017-2020 Toyota 86. Always confirm your exact year and transmission at checkout.
How much does a 86/BRZ clutch cost at NLP Performance?
Clutch kits in this guide run from about $279 for the Exedy Stage 1 Organic to $1,919 for the XClutch 10.5-inch Twin, with strong mid-range options from Exedy and XClutch between $460 and $760. A lightweight flywheel adds around $387.
Ready to Hold the Power?
Shop Exedy and XClutch kits for your 2013-2020 BRZ, FR-S, and Toyota 86, plus thousands more performance parts at NLP Performance.
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