Thoughts on Clutch choice for NA Turbo

Rob E · Postby **Rob E** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 8:31 pm

Gday Folks,

The stock clutch is starting to slip in higher gears under load... :evil:

At the moment only running 6psi, so this needs to be sorted. I have some experience with ACT Clutch ex USA but i am keen to know if there are any local options that Turbo guys have experience with. I have a 1.8 billet steel fly on hand so will go with a 1.8 clutch

Cheers

Boags · Postby **Boags** » Mon Apr 02, 2007 11:45 pm

I'm going to run a standard NA8 clutch and flywheel. The SP uses the standard unit without issue, so if you're not planning on turning 6PSI into 16PSI, you should be right on an OEM replacement.

I'm going that way mainly to keep the stock pedal feel.

Boags

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 8:58 am

without wanting to be opening a can of worms......are you sure the SP has no probs with clutches.
I seem to remember garry having about clutch version No 4.

Rob E · Postby **Rob E** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 10:07 am

Boags'MX5 wrote:I'm going to run a standard NA8 clutch and flywheel. The SP uses the standard unit without issue, so if you're not planning on turning 6PSI into 16PSI, you should be right on an OEM replacement.

I'm going that way mainly to keep the stock pedal feel.

Boags

Sorry mate, should have clarified......i will be running up to 15psi

Boags · Postby **Boags** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:14 am

StanTheMan wrote:are you sure the SP has no probs with clutches.
I seem to remember garry having about clutch version No 4.

Yes, but unfortunately for Garry, he has had 4 of nearly everything that most other SP owners have had no troubles with. Perhaps some owners had shudder problems, but none had slipping problems AFAIK.

15PSI on a T25 will be too much for the stock clutch I think Rob. You'll start to get slipping, so you'll need a heavier/tougher alternative IMO.

At that power level though, my guess is as good as anyone's. I'll butt out now. :mrgreen:

Boags

bigdog · Postby **bigdog** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 12:12 pm

I'm not aware of anyone running more than 8-9psi boost using a std clutch successfully. They might hang in for a little while but it won't be long before they slip. The SE clutch is the best of the standard ones, but Dave's car was too much for this and now has an exedy puck clutch and stonger pressure plate and copes well with the bigger boost. Downside is that it is uncomfortably stiff for a day to day car - fine for the track though. No driveability problems, just hard on the left leg

Mania are your best bet for the details - they know what works and what doesn't. If I was faced with the problem I think I would look at a hydraulic throwout setup to keep the car daily driveable, but they are not cheap...

The Pupat · Postby **The Pupat** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 12:28 pm

My car isn't turbo'd but I put a 1.6L heavy duty full face organic clutch from Direct Clutch in Brisbane when my clutch failed in the hope that one day I'd give it some more power. So far I've daily dríven it 20,000 or so km's with no dramas at all. Feels very much like a stock one but with no slip no matter what you do to it (not that I've dropped it from 6grand yet to find out) with good pedal feel (can feel the engagement point really well), pedal is fractionally heavier than standard (I think not entire sure since I bought the car with 120k on the original clutch) but not really unbarably so. A few mx5 guys here have tried them also and have only good stuff to say.

StanTheMan · Postby **StanTheMan** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 12:30 pm

Boags'MX5 wrote:
StanTheMan wrote:are you sure the SP has no probs with clutches.
I seem to remember garry having about clutch version No 4.

Yes, but unfortunately for Garry, he has had 4 of nearly everything that most other SP owners have had no troubles with. Perhaps some owners had shudder problems, but none had slipping problems AFAIK.

So it puzzels me why you would get a clutch which has potential issues with low RPM regardless of how good it is at full power.

unless of course ther is soo much power that you need to come to a compromise

Boags · Postby **Boags** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 1:08 pm

To tell you truth STM, I don't know much about the NB clutch shudder problem. I thought Mazda fixed the problem when it occurred? I also thought that it was only a small percentage of owners who had problems? :?:

I'm happy to be corrected by those who know more than I.

More to the point, I think the OEM unit would be more expensive than the exedy replacement, which is what I'd recommend. By \"standard\", I meant same spec, not OEM per se`. Has anyone heard of clutch shudder with an aftermarket replacement?

Boags

Craig · Postby **Craig** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 1:13 pm

Boags'MX5 wrote:I'll butt out now.

That lasted for a little while only!

Now...anyone with a turbo who can offer some real experience or shall we let the banter continue?

Rob E · Postby **Rob E** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 1:15 pm

Thanks Guys, I have given this some thought and im not gonna muck around with saving dosh on the clutch.....the ACT Extreme at USD 450 or so isnt cheap but it is well proven in the states and rated for 415nm so will be able to live with whatever a T25 can throw at it

CT · Postby CT » Tue Apr 03, 2007 4:29 pm

Rob - the exedy sprung puck ceramic is not difficult to drive - they just don't slip like an organic one does. They are actually quite sedate and will easily handle the power you want to use. And they will be cheaper as well. My SE has one now and my old race car used a 1.6 version. Mine is no heavier than a stock one. Make sure it's sprung and you will be fine. Plus, it will save you plenty of bucks. I highly recommend you ring the exedy tech line - last time I did was was suprised by how helpful the person was.

Rob E · Postby **Rob E** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 5:05 pm

Chris, you mean this ?

http://www.exedy.com.au/products2.asp?type=racing

Thanks mate

Dave · Postby **Dave** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:27 am

Rob,

Bigdog almost got it right... (:roll: :lol:

) I had not tried the SE clutch previously, just the \"Exedy tuff clutch\" my clutch is now a hybrid that is the same as in the Mania race \"SP\". I am not too sure of brand details of components, I tried theirs and told them to go for it...
It is plenty strong enough, however not real nice in traffic. The weight isn't a big drama (yes it is firm, however no where near as solid as the one I tried in BJ's beasty :shock:

), however it is very prone to shudder when it gets all hot and bothered in stop/ start traffic (just like it's driver).
You can't go past the advice from Chris... (plus I'd love to hear a second opinion on his set up - it might be the future inhabitant of the SP's bellhousing!).

Blue94t · Postby **Blue94t** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:10 am

I am running the ACT extreme I believe.
Rob can you confirm this?
It is holdng up really well to the abuse I throw at it, which is everytime the car is dríven.
Does have a really heavy pedal weight though.
Jake