NC CLutch

spotted · Postby **spotted** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 11:04 pm

Got my NC back to Perth after driving almost 5000km in 2 weeks. Couple of times in the first 1000km I thought that I smelt the clutch when simply driving along (not even under acceleration).
But then I didnt notice it in the next 4000km so thought was my imagination or maybe smelling a passing car.
So i get home and notice that the new extension to Hepburn Ave has been opened since I left Perth 3 weeks ago.
So I thought, take a run and open up the car which I have treated real easy over the last 5000Km. In 1st, I do a U and floor it, the engine revs but the speed doesn't , the clutch is slipping and stinks like hell, even when I get home 10 minutes later.
Is it terminal ?, will it need a full replace?. Are there any alternatives to the standard clutch available in Perth?
Cheers

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 6:00 am

What is the history of this car?

Charlie Brown · Postby **Charlie Brown** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 10:13 am

Yes there is a direct replacement that's not at the Mazda super price.
Contact Chris (MX-5 Racing) and he'll let you know. I think he said it was from a Isuzu mini van or something like that and cost was only around $200. He's using them in his race cars and says you wont pick the difference.

spotted · Postby **spotted** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 11:33 am

JBT wrote:What is the history of this car?

History unfortunately unknown as was recently purchased interstate.
Was a one owner, regularily serviced, 45000km

spotted · Postby **spotted** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 11:36 am

Charlie Brown wrote:Yes there is a direct replacement that's not at the Mazda super price.
Contact Chris (MX-5 Racing) and he'll let you know. I think he said it was from a Isuzu mini van or something like that and cost was only around $200. He's using them in his race cars and says you wont pick the difference.

Thanks Charlie Brown, I couldnt find any contact details for "MX-5 Racing", which state are they in? I am in WA

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 12:21 pm

spotted wrote:History unfortunately unknown as was recently purchased interstate.
Was a one owner, regularily serviced, 45000km

Sorry to hear that but, the clutch shouldn't be worn out with such low kms unless it was totally abused.

Charlie Brown · Postby **Charlie Brown** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 12:42 pm

spotted wrote:Thanks Charlie Brown, I couldnt find any contact details for "MX-5 Racing", which state are they in? I am in WA

Chris is in NSW but that doesn't matter as all you are after is what the clutch is out of and then go and purchase it locally.
You can find Chris under the Motor Sport / NSW section on this board and also as a sponsor.
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=2449

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 1:16 pm

JBT wrote: Sorry to hear that but, the clutch shouldn't be worn out with such low kms unless it was totally abused.

either that or previous driver was "riding" the clutch, thus premature wear caused by it not engaging properly/fully

pcmx5 · Postby **pcmx5** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 3:08 pm

Sorry to hear that John,bad luck, but just as well it didn't go halfway!!!

I must say I felt that the NC clutch on the few egs I drove took up fairly close to the floor compared to most cars.

Hope the suggested solution works but i suspect that a decent clutch and brake retailer would have a range of options and prices available, although if Chris's alternative doesn't come with a heavy clutch and he has proved it it is the obvious choice.

Hope all goes well,

Cheers,

Peter.

spotted · Postby **spotted** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 7:16 pm

pcmx5 wrote:Sorry to hear that John,bad luck, but just as well it didn't go halfway!!!

I must say I felt that the NC clutch on the few egs I drove took up fairly close to the floor compared to most cars.

Hope the suggested solution works but i suspect that a decent clutch and brake retailer would have a range of options and prices available, although if Chris's alternative doesn't come with a heavy clutch and he has proved it it is the obvious choice.

Hope all goes well,

Cheers,

Peter.

Hi Peter, yes I suspected something amiss when on Mornington as I did smell it once or twice. So I took it easy on it back to Perth and it was fine for the 4990km. It was only when I took it out last night for a "run" that it started to slip but I was pretty hard on it. I can get a Exedy Sports Tuff HD Clutch, fitted, flywheel machined, rear seal replaced and have change from $1000- so its not so bad. I had to expect some problem buying a 5 year old car so taking it on the chin. It will probably last for months as I dont do a lot of KM so I am running it in a Funkana next weekend which will see me doing a bit of clutch work and will see how it shapes up at the end of the day.
You talk about your NA, dont you have the NC now?
Cheers, John

pcmx5 · Postby **pcmx5** » Wed Nov 17, 2010 9:15 pm

Hi John,

Have decided to sell the NA,NC had a 4.1 diff fitted today and it is a sensational change,really makes it feel like it has heaps more power.Will look at headers next but with a new midpipe with steel high flow cat.and a bigger reasonator to compensate for the removal of the cat where the headers will go.

Glad you made it home ok and will be interested to hear how the clutch goes,

Peter.

Charlie Brown · Postby **Charlie Brown** » Thu Nov 18, 2010 8:57 am

spotted wrote: I can get a Exedy Sports Tuff HD Clutch, fitted, flywheel machined, rear seal replaced and have change from $1000- so its not so bad. Cheers, John

They must be pretty dear out in the west, or they bumped the prices up when Daikin changed its name to Exedy. You used to be able to get a new clutch installed for around $600.
I'd do a little shopping around.

spotted · Postby **spotted** » Thu Nov 18, 2010 10:29 am

Charlie Brown wrote:
spotted wrote: I can get a Exedy Sports Tuff HD Clutch, fitted, flywheel machined, rear seal replaced and have change from $1000- so its not so bad. Cheers, John

They must be pretty dear out in the west, or they bumped the prices up when Daikin changed its name to Exedy. You used to be able to get a new clutch installed for around $600.
I'd do a little shopping around.

It breaks down to Clutch Kit $350-
Machine Flywheel $90-
Rear Main Seal $50-
Labour for all above $500-

I guess the labour content would be the only variable but to get the lot done for $600-, labour component would only be $110- , which obviously is impossible.
I remember getting a new clutch fitted , total $50- ( in 1974 haha)

pcmx5 · Postby **pcmx5** » Thu Nov 18, 2010 12:55 pm

Hourly rates these days seem to vary from around $75-80 to $130 so there could be a bit in there.

When I had the 6speed fitted and a new Excedy HD clutch,, machine, bearings it was $810 and they spent a bit more time on it because of the exhaust not being standard, but that was about 3 years ago,so I guess your quote isn't too bad.

Hope your experience isn't indicative of NC clutch wear as mine has 46000klms on it and I am hoping for much more.

Peter.

Charlie Brown · Postby **Charlie Brown** » Thu Nov 18, 2010 1:25 pm

spotted,

I just spoke to Chris as I know you have but I thought I'd post this as a record for anyone else that needs a clutch.

The alternate clutch plate is from a Mitsubishi L200, Exede part number MBD001U cost is around $70.

Labour time to remove and replace the NC box is an easy 4 hours. Chris has his race cars setup so the box is out in 45 minutes and has never needed to machine the flywheel.

On the long levity of the NC clutch, obviously it all depends on the operator. Mine now has over 110K on it, only done a couple of track days :roll:

and still has a lot of take up.