NA6 Clutch/Flywheel into an NB8B 6-speed?

[JG]

So, I picked up my first MX5 (NB8B) just before Christmas, and on the trip back from Melbourne to Brisbane, i noticed that it had the dreaded 'clutch shudder'... now, from prior research into common issues, I knew there was a chance of this happening/being the case, so it wasn't entirely unexpected.

I had the car in at a workshop/MX5 specialist last week getting all the fluids changed, and they commented about the clutch shudder and made the recommendation that when I come to change the clutch, that I change the flywheel and clutch for one out of an NA6, as there is only a couple of mm difference in size between them, however the NA6 flywheel is a lot lighter, and also the clutches are a lot cheaper - Has anyone heard of this being done before?

I've done some searching/reading and I can't really find mention of it anywhere, but according to them the 'do it all the time'?

Thanks,
JG

[NitroDann]

yeah and there is no problem with the clutches unlike the notorious NB shudder.

It will work fine and go straight on. Yep its lighter. How much? Cant remember.



Dann

[timk]

It's a pretty common swap, the yanks seem to do the opposite and go from a 1.6 to 1.8 flywheel for some odd reason but that would be step backwards. On the 1.8 flywheel it has a fair chunk of the mass on the outer parts of the flywheel so the rotational inertia is heaps higher.

I am about to fit a 6 speed and I have a 1.6 chromoly flywheel & 1.6 clutch to go in when I do the swap.

Cheers

[JG]

Let me know how you go with the swap mate... would be interested to hear your feedback!

I just managed to find a thread on miata.net about the swap (searching for something entirely unrelated) and they were all advising against it as it won't have enough clamping power etc compared to the 1.8 clutch, and also that being a lighter clutch, would have bad chatter/shudder (which i guess wouldn't really be any different to what i have now... not that mines overly bad though...)

[NitroDann]

Lol not enough clamping, mine did fine when it was stock and I guarantee you my 1.6 has much more torque than your 1.8.

Dann

[JG]

I'm not doubting it/saying that would be the case, I was merely relaying what was said in the other thread

[NitroDann]

And im just saying GO FOR IT!

Dann

[JG]

I'm also assuming it would hold up fine in the future if I decided to go with forced induction as well? (Basing this on there being plenty of turbo/SC NA's running around)

[NitroDann]

When you buy a clutch buy an exedy organic heavy duty, just the regular one everyone buys, it will hold up to 200 odd.

Dann

[green_comet]

You will be fine, I have been running a Fidanza 1.6 flywheel and Xtreme HD clutch since Sep 09 and it has never once given me a problem. If I were you I would upgrade to a lighter flywheel while I was at it.

[Mr Morlock]

Why did the clutch shudder on the 8B? The problem was identified by Mazda and reportedly rectified and from memory it related to friction material. Other MX5's ( eg NA6) did not shudder but that is no reason to assume that is had anything to do with the flywheel and I would suggest there is no connection. There is nothing wrong with using a standard Exedy clutch kit and re facing the flywheel in the usual manner if the car is not modified. If one does go the turbo path, or maybe racing, a different choice might be made with the usual attendant extra costs. On my car, with clutch shudder, I chose the standard clutch and it has been fine for 50,000 KM

[NitroDann]

Because you buy the HD for very little extra money, and never have to do the clutch again.

Dann

[hks_kansei]

My new clutch shudders a little, it's a Valeo clutch.

I just ignore it.
well, when the car was last able to be dríven I ignored it!

[Mr Morlock]

The Valeo clutch should not shudder- the fitter should have a guarantee. The 8A did not have a recall fault as far as I am aware but the 8B did. Clutch shudder is a pain and it will not get better by itself.