What Clutch

[ger]

Ahhh clutch started slipping at peak torque. oddly it grabs again after about 1000rpm and pulls to redline so I guess its on the way out, very annoying. I suspect it maybe contaminated from the rear main seal as I only have about 30K on it.

Anyway I have an exedy stage 1 at the moment, feels nice, little stiffer than stock but I'm not sure how much abuse it can take. Looking at one of these but open to advice. Spec is 1.6 turbo @ 8psi dont have exact figures at the mo but approx 200bhp and 160-170 lbs

http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/clutch-exedy- ... -1808.html

or else get a 1.8 flywheel and one of these

http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/clutch-exedy- ... -1806.html

not sure what the pros and cons are. any other suggestion/options.

[Fergus]

I'd get a lightened flywheel, the Stage 2 clutch and never look back

[MX5Spares]

1.8 is way better clutch set up .

[ger]

Thanks fergus, not sure I need a light flywheel with the turbo engine, it spins up pretty quickly already.

Are puck clutches worse for daily driving, chatter etc?

I'm leaning towards option 2 1.8 stage 1 and 1.8 flywheel at the mo but very much open to suggestions
Robert, if I was taking a flywheel as PM'd what would the labor cost be for the clutch change? I would supply clutch and spigot bearing. If you want to PM me the total.

[[L'e$kro]]

I have a brand new 1.6 paddle clutch disc if it's any interest for you?
The paddle clutch will have more byte, the downside is that the slipping range is narrower, the upside being that it will hold more torque than organic without having to resort to a stiffer spring mechanism.
Nico

[rhysmate]

I have a 1.8 machined flywheel and Exedy stage two ouck clutch, and i love it. feels normal and grips well (14 psi)

[Fergus]

A 1.8 clutch won't handle above 8PSI (165BHP+) and will burn out.

[[L'e$kro]]

Not good news for me then...
I run 8psi on the standard 1.6 clutch which doesn't have much clamping force, and was hoping the standard 1.8 one would be just fine as the pedal is stiffer on them. But then with more boost and longer diff, I might have to find something else..
Nico

[Fergus]

Yeah, once you hit 8PSI+ things start burning up - clutch, diff, bank account.

[MX5Spares]

Check out mx5 nutz as there is similar clutch conversation going on there at moment and general advice is good 1.8 clutch as heavy racing clutches are expensive, uncomfortable and not really for road use. Some lads on there also have paddle clutch but not for road use also.

[ger]

Not good news for me then...
I run 8psi on the standard 1.6 clutch which doesn't have much clamping force, and was hoping the standard 1.8 one would be just fine as the pedal is stiffer on them. But then with more boost and longer diff, I might have to find something else..
Nico

my stock clutch started slipping above 6psi and that was a low mileage exedy std 1.6 clutch. I thought the stock clutch was only rated at 140lbs torque on a good day.

I get a boost spike on quick throttle up to 10psi then settles at 8psi to redline, this gives a nice little kick on acceleration.
The exedy 1.6 stage 1 i have in now has been holding power fine at 8psi and 170hp (200bhp) for a few years now and I no suspect its getting slightly contaminated from the rear main seal.

I have a brand new 1.6 paddle clutch disc if it's any interest for you?
The paddle clutch will have more byte, the downside is that the slipping range is narrower, the upside being that it will hold more torque than organic without having to resort to a stiffer spring mechanism.
Nico

Is this just the disc or complete kit? What brand?

[scallan]

I have a paddle clutch and dont find it bad at all. My car is still na but i give the clutch a fair bit of abuse which it takes no bothers oh and its a f1 racing clutch fairly cheap and no problems in nearly 2 year.

[[L'e$kro]]

Check out mx5 nutz as there is similar clutch conversation going on there at moment and general advice is good 1.8 clutch as heavy racing clutches are expensive, uncomfortable and not really for road use. Some lads on there also have paddle clutch but not for road use also.

Thanks for the suggestion Robert.. I'll have a look there. I drive the mx5 everyday and often sit in traffic, and while a cera-metallic clutch isn't that bad, i'd rather keep an organic one if possible.. On the other hand I'm not too keen on experimenting too long with this as taking the gearbox out is a fiddly job and Id rather not do it every week, so throwing something beyond requirement is also tempting.

my stock clutch started slipping above 6psi and that was a low mileage exedy std 1.6 clutch. I thought the stock clutch was only rated at 140lbs torque on a good day.

I get a boost spike on quick throttle up to 10psi then settles at 8psi to redline, this gives a nice little kick on acceleration.
The exedy 1.6 stage 1 i have in now has been holding power fine at 8psi and 170hp (200bhp) for a few years now and I no suspect its getting slightly contaminated from the rear main seal.

Clutches can sometimes last over what they are rated for, I know a lad running a 500hp/600nm Citroen AX drag car and he runs a single AP Racing disk which is rated for less than 400nm.

I have 8.5psi maximum boost now, and it holds OK as the boost rises quite progressively (big exhaust housing on the turbo) and as I still have a 4.3 standard diff.
Now of course if I flat-shift on dry surface in high gears it kills the clutch instantly.

Is this just the disc or complete kit? What brand?

It's just the disc, and the brand is XTD

Nico

[Fergus]

"Now of course if I flat-shift on dry surface in high gears it kills the clutch instantly." - Well, there you go ?

"The exedy 1.6 stage 1 i have in now has been holding power fine at 8psi and 170hp (200bhp) for a few years now and I no suspect its getting slightly contaminated from the rear main seal." - Well, there you go ?

Get it right the first time and walk away