Catastrophic clutch failure - learn from our mistake

Postby **beavis** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 9:29 pm

So the Mazda MX-5 is known to be a particularly powerful car in the world.
Despite that, we have discovered a clutch manufacturer out there than can sell a product marketed as "Stage 1 Racing clutch" incapable of handling MX-5 power levels.
The car in question is a standard 2001 Mazda MX-5.

The clutch failed at just 160kms/100miles. All the friction material disintegrated, peeling away from the clutch plate and leaving little more than a powder inside the gearbox.
We contacted the supplier but they have refused to respond, and sadly the clutch is from the USA (we're in Australia) so I can't go down the street and say hi.
So at the moment we are out of pocket for a failed clutch, for a new clutch, for machining the flywheel, and the effort to replace the clutch.

This was the clutch we bought:
[url="http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/XTD-STAGE-1-CLUTCH-P-LITE-FLYWHEEL-KIT-1990-1993-MIATA-MX-5-1-6L-/381174390612?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item58bfc39f54"]http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/XTD-STAGE-1-CLUTCH-P-LITE-FLYWHEEL-KIT-1990-1993-MIATA-MX-5-1-6L-/381174390612?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item58bfc39f54[/url]
[url="http://www.xtdclutch.com/"]http://www.xtdclutch.com/[/url]

And this is it, 100kms later:

Heed my warning, avoid.

slyfox2151 · Postby **slyfox2151** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 12:52 am

You tried to put a clutch for a 90-93 MX-5 into a 2001 and expected it to work? I imagine the 2001 will have a fair amount more torque.

Hence why it failed.

If by chance you ment a 1991 MX-5 then I retract my statement.

Black_Penguin · Postby **Black_Penguin** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 1:56 am

The 1.6 flywheels are lighter so are better suited for a track car. This was an uprated clutch that should have had no trouble dealing with the stock 1.8. The item description says it should hold up to 200hp.

slyfox2151 · Postby **slyfox2151** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 2:46 am

Black_Penguin wrote:The 1.6 flywheels are lighter so are better suited for a track car. This was an uprated clutch that should have had no trouble dealing with the stock 1.8. The item description says it should hold up to 200hp.

But you measure a clutchs performance with Torque, not Horse Power.
The NA had around 130Nms were as the 02 has closer to 180Nm.

I'm not saying your wrong, It does seem like a very weak clutch that should have lasted a lot longer then 170ks

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 7:14 am

Fitting 1.6 clutches to 1.8s has been a standard thing for atleast 10 years. The difference in clutch clamping area is very minimal but the flywheel design prevent fitting of a 1.8 clutch to a 1.6 flywheel.

There are some big HP and torque cars running 1.6 clutches (including turbos).

The moral of the story was it was a sh*t clutch not that it was the wrong clutch for the application.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

davekmoore · Postby **davekmoore** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 7:36 am

Thanks for the heads-up.

Junkee · Postby **Junkee** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 9:05 am

Can you lodge a PayPal dispute? Or has it been too long since it was purchased?

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 9:22 am

Is the flywheel also from ebay?
if so i'd be removing it, cutting into pieces, then binning it.

If they can't manage to make a clutch that holds together on a basically standard car, i'd be VERY concerned about the flywheel (since when they let go they tend to take out the bellhousing, and sometimes the driver's feet)

Postby **beavis** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 12:54 pm

Junkee wrote:Can you lodge a PayPal dispute? Or has it been too long since it was purchased?

Tried, must be within 60days of sale or something like that.
Sadly, by the time it arrived and was installed, it was too late.
Paypal closed the case.

hks_kansei wrote:Is the flywheel also from ebay?
if so i'd be removing it, cutting into pieces, then binning it.

Definitely wouldn't recommend any of their products, at this stage the flywheel hasn't exploded spectacularly.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 3:01 pm

there are a number of lessons on show here and probably most will ignore them- but excellent that someone might take some notice. Advertising means nothing and buying such a product from overseas pretty well jettisons all the consumer rights that we have locally. Your local clutch guy will stand by both product and provides a warranty also for the work they do. An OEM clutch makers will run a high tech operation with full checks of quality i.e. process control. Top marks to Beavis for passing it on.

zossy1 · Postby **zossy1** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 3:29 pm

XTD and F1 clutches both have a bad rep - especially the ceramic clutches. Sorry you had to find out the hard way Brendan. I haven't heard of any flywheel failures though, but I think I'll stick with my Fidanza.

At standard power levels, an Exedy is a good option - even the standard 1.6 clutch should last fairly well in a stock 1.8, while the uprated Purple Exedy would be more than adequate. However, I'd still prefer an ACT or a Flyin Miata. The ACT clutches I have used last forever and the extra money you spend will come back to you in service life, smooth engagement, and performance.

The 949 clutch is also great but they are never in stock.