Alright.. so exact stock replacement is different, and aftermarket clutches are the same. To TheMAN: I am learning, and do not appreciate your personal remarks toward me or anyone else. Nobody deserves it. If someone is not correct and you know you are right, then say it in a respectful manner. If we are wrong about something, then we will learn and then know the facts. I am asking to get answers and trying to understand what you are saying, and in no way am I arguing with you, so it is a bit hard for me to understand why you are coming off as rude. I apologize for not knowing as much as you; I would like to learn more about this topic and think that some expanding on this topic will help others as well, but do not see the value of the personal remarks you make.
We all know now that the OP's shop put in an Exedy Stage 1 clutch, which is a step up from a stock replacement, and according to Crossover's website is an OEM replacement alternative. It seems as though the Stage 1 will fit the MSP and the regular Protege since TheMAN stated that the aftermarket clutches are interchangable. Since the Exedy Stage 1 clutch is not the same as the stock clutch, I'm going to guess that it is considered "aftermarket". The Exedy website isn't much help as they do not list the MSP under any of their clutches that I found on there.
With that said, what could have went wrong to make the OP's clutch be in this condition? Could something have went wrong at the shop where they didn't install it correctly, or ?
I have one question regarding aftermarket clutches.. I tried to ask earlier but apparently it was not understood. If the aftermarket clutches are indeed the same and interchangable, why would the Spec website have different clutches for the MSP and regular Protege? (I previously posted that they were different because of what I saw on the Spec site) Because if they are interchangable and if it doesn't make a difference between the P5 or MSP, then couldn't someone use a SZ943F instead of the SZ333F (both Stage 3+ clutches) and although the torque capacity is a difference of 46, save some money that way by getting the SZ943F? Just verifying to learn, not looking for smartass responses, please.