Clutch/Flywheel Options - Your thoughts?

[break]

Alright, I have my gearbox guy on the case of my problematic 'box. It's needing a new input shaft bearing, and they are going to look at the synchros while they have it out too.

Anyway, given that it's coming out and the clutch/flywheel are nearly 80k old now its a good logical time to replace them.

So I'm trying to weight up the options on what is a good combo to put in there. Should I keep the standard flywheel and just have it machined to keep up the strength, or should I look towards a lightened option? Is the mx5mania lightened flywheel a reasonable item?

What about clutches, any recommendations on something suitable for near stock power in a NB8A? (with no intention of going to forced induction, ever.)

I need to get back to my mechanic with my choices fairly soon (ie. tomorrow) so we can get the ball rolling on what to do.

Thoughts?

[SPy vs. SPy]

Depends on your budget and what you want to achieve at some other point.

If no plans to modify, then the standard pink exedy sports stuff with a machined stock flywheel will be ample.

Also, get the slave cylinder checked whilst it's all in bits.

SPy

[Old Dude]

Hi Break
I have been told by a number of Forumities that exedy do a good clutch, there was a thread around Easter by WUN911, he changed his clutch to an exceedy with a lightened fly wheel but said he did lose some momentum going up hill if he didn't change gear quick enough because the revs dropped a lot quicker with the lightened fly wheel.
If you get your present flywheel machined and just change the clutch plate, you should have pretty much exactly what you had before, if you were happy with that, go the same again.
Regards
Old Dude

[stevesports]

I actually had the pleasure of driving wun's lightened NB8B. It definitely felt different compared to stock. Acceleration from 1st and 2nd gears is definitely quicker, but from 3rd gear onwards it is very very similar. In addition, you do need to change gears more often due to loss in inertia from the light flywheel. I think it would be great for autocross.

[Old Dude]

Hey Stevesports
So would you say you would prefer Wuns for every day driving or would you prefer the normal flywheel...??? if all the driving was just road use.
Regards
Old Dude

[stevesports]

hey,

For normal driving i would prefer the standard flywheel. Because the flywheel is lighter, it doesn't store as much energy as a heavier one, which means normal driving can be a bit more tiring, especially cruising. On the track however, i would prefer the lightened flywheel for sure.

[Old Dude]

thanks Stevesports
Old Dude

[fastfreddygassit]

my 2c
I installed a Toda 4.5kg (1/2 the weight of the original BP) flywheel and exeddy clutch about (thinks) 2 years ago??
I do not notice it now unless I drive a standard MX5 and then the difference is very obvious.
All this crap about stored inertia/loss of inertia/storing energy I don't get. What does that mean peoples???
The car WILL rev much more freely in the bottom 3 gears and down shifts become enjoyable too.
Stevesports only drove Wun's car around the block, so to speak, and he wouldn't
like it for day to day it because he was stalling the car all the time
Ask/PM Wun for his views.
You may stall the car for the first couple of drives as you readjust to the different clutch to rev ratio but it
is the same as jumping in someone else's car. Just requires acclimatisation.

I personally think it is worth it for the freer revving nature (akin to a 1.6 NA).
And it is very very live-able day to day. Well it is for me and it is for Wun.
BUT I wouldn't blow a grand on it either.

[wun911]

Steve didn't stall it I was quite suprised Pam didnt stall it either, I think qd liked it too...

You adapt and get used to it; I drive though 2 hrs of traffic every day I have no problems. Lots of fun to drive on empty streets, the sporty feel is very addictive.
My ACT flywheel was expensive for something you only feel in 1st 2nd and 3rd I totall understand why some say its not worth it.
More woth it would be to shave stock flywheel but I'm not sure if you can shave stock flywheel to 4.239 kg and maintain enough strength.
Clutch is Exedy HD its great even a piss week asain boy can push the clutch down, lots of feel when its engaged. Very happy with it.

[Old Dude]

So you like the exedy HD clutch Wun

Old Dude

[CapitalF]

Gidday

I have an NA6 and prior to other power mods had the std flywheel moderately lightened and balanced with the new Exedy HD clutch at the same time. Smooth as silk. Downchanging is great with far faster changes in revs, slightly quicker /more free flowing revs to redline in the first two gears is noticeable and great for motorkhanas that I have done quite a lot of (lots of use in 1st gear). I don't think I've stalled it once due to the flywheel change, on road or at a m'khana. Very worthwhile.

Glad I didn't blow a lot on a super light flywheel.

End my 2c.

Peter

[break]

Cheers for the input everyone, much appreciated.

Seems like the lightened flywheel isn't worth the investment on a street dríven car, and frankly I like the idea of another $500 in my pocket

The exedy seemed like the clutch of choice so i've communicated that onto my mechanic. Thanks everyone!

[corners]

I changed my engine last weekend and while the engine was out I did the clutch.

I simply for a PBR Heavy Duty clutch from Repco. Seems as soft as the standard one but still bites, my flywheel is still standard but was machined.