NB Clutch & Flywheel replacement WA

[kart]

Hi guys,

Used to be on this forum but lost my account. Anyway I'm back I have a 99 NB, my first car and I've had her for about 6 years now. She's getting on at just over 180,000kms and its time for a new clutch and I would love some advice from you guys. I'm amazed actually because as far as I can tell from the paperwork I have from when I bought the car at 108,000kms it appears to be on its original factory clutch.

The car's stock (apart from a fantastic torsen II in the back, SE radiator and a carbing strut brace) so it doesn't need anything fancy to handle much power, I have found this as it looks like a decent kit and will definately breathe new life into the old girl, what do you think is it overkill with the lightweight fly? Also I don't know about things like does the clutch slave cylinder, should that be replaced?

Should also mention its a daily drive but I do enjoy some rather spirited drives out in the hills with a mate who has a decent evo X. Even with the ageing suspension (that'll be the next change if I keep the car.. really don't want to get rid of her though) its still such a great car to drive.

http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Pe ... -1014.html
http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Pe ... -1031.html
http://www.good-win-racing.com/mazda/mi ... 10169.html

That lot will be $700 posted

Would like some advice on where to take it for installation. I'm a little handy and have always done things like fluid changes (engine, tranny, lsd, coolant) plugs etc and replacing the radiator but not quite so clever with big things like this.

From reading through the forum, Les (mx52nv) seems to be the man in WA to talk to, have sent him a PM, any recommendations will be very much appreciated. I'm a bit of a broke uni student so I'd like to save money where possible but also go by the principle of do it once do it right and am not going to cheap out on crucial mechanical parts like the clutch.

Thanks in advance for your help

[Mr Morlock]

I cannot help you with WA repairers but I would replace the clutch kit with standard OEM type which is made by Exedy- normal practise is skimming the flywheel. A clutch shop will give you a quote and a warranty on their work - ie supply and fit. I think a specialist shop is probably a bit quicker than a standard mechanic that only does a clutch occasionally- in any event you can get a quote. If someone is more familiar with MX5s than someone else they could be included as well. It will not be cheap- anything from about $600 ( incl parts) upwards but its not a nice job and you may not have the time for the stress either. Personally I would not waste time and money importing a clutch from o/s when the Exedy is a brilliant product and will give many years of service. Logic- if the standard oem clutch has lasted 180000 then it speaks for itself. PS if you buy a clutch from OS and its faulty then bad luck- a local fitter is going to be very wary or take no resp for a clutch with a fault which they cannot get any compensation for. If you use a locally supplied clutch the fitter is covered at the very least for the faulty parts. At $700 shipped and plus fitting it's a bloody expense job. Check for yourself the price of a Exedy and see what a kit costs. People like ABS do clutches.

A 1999 MX5 is not exactly a collectors item or an appreciating asset - too easy to just to spend too much- thats not to say it should not be repaired but down the track an upgrade can easily be on the cards.

[Mr Morlock]

PS at the risk of stirring someone up - forget a lightened flywheel - is there something wrong with the way your car performs? There was a recent thread on flywheels with a number of opinions but I think I was the only one to actually consult someone who designed engines for a living. I take my own advice ie replaced clutch with standard Exedy and would do the same again if it dies.

[kart]

Thanks for your response.

OK $700 posted from OS is alot, I'm hoping mx52nv can help me with the best local price. I would much prefer if the whole job was around $600 installed, and agreed the standard clutch clearly is great and I'll be looking for that locally now.

As for the flywheel I am thinking of replacing it because it is as old as the car and I've seen the flywheel out of a mate's 170,000km mazda and it wasnt it good shape to say the least. A $289 lightweight flywheel may be overkill but I'd definately be keen to get even an OEM replacement one. What sort of place you reckon I should be looking at for that? Sub $150?

And yeah I'm looking for a mechanic familiar with MX5's, someone more clued in and could provide better advice as well as doing a good job of the clutch and fly. Also although I can't find mx5shop.com.au, I'm pretty sure there is a shop that sponsors this very forum and I'd like to go to like minded enthusiasts

[bigdog]

Firstly, what has gone wrong with your existing clutch? Is it slipping or is it not engaging properly and crunching when you change gears? If it's the latter it may simply be a case of a leaking slave cylinder, which is a known and common problem, cheap to fix and should be the first thing you look at. It is not unusual for a clutch to last past 200K in our cars, they are not highly stressed in stock form.

If you decide you do need a new clutch, then unless you're racing the car a stock setup will last for years - an aftermarket Exedy kit is usually the cheapest way to go. Definitely no need to import a clutch from the USA - freight would be a killer. Light flywheel is a personal taste thing, up to you. Do some research on this forum and the big forum and make up your own mind.

[kart]

Firstly, what has gone wrong with your existing clutch? Is it slipping or is it not engaging properly and crunching when you change gears? If it's the latter it may simply be a case of a leaking slave cylinder, which is a known and common problem, cheap to fix and should be the first thing you look at. It is not unusual for a clutch to last past 200K in our cars, they are not highly stressed in stock form.

If you decide you do need a new clutch, then unless you're racing the car a stock setup will last for years - an aftermarket Exedy kit is usually the cheapest way to go. Definitely no need to import a clutch from the USA - freight would be a killer. Light flywheel is a personal taste thing, up to you. Do some research on this forum and the big forum and make up your own mind.

Yeah its slipping, definately time to be replaced. Nowhere near racing, its a very stock car but I do drive her pretty hard now and then, the exedy kit you're referring to, what sort of ballpark figure would I be looking at? And yes I've looked into flywheels I know I don't need a light fly but just a stock replacement one will do. Yeah the freight on the clutch kit, fly and SS clutch line from the US was US$213.99 (goodwin) ouch!

[deviant]

Buy the clutch locally if you are going for something stock. I found overseas to be cheaper for a race clutch though.

I have got a light flywheel on my car and would not go back to a stock one, there are no cons to it. It does not stall easily, it does not stall when you turn the AC on and it does not slow down going uphill and there has been no change in noise or vibration in the car. The engine does rev much more freely with one and is far more willing to get to the redline.

Les does not have a workshop anymore. I had a friend help do my NB8B clutch so not sure who to use to install.

[bigdog]

Expect $250-300 for clutch kit inc throwout bearing and spiggot bearing. No need to replace the flywheel unless it is cracked or you want a lighter one, the clutch service will machine the face when they replace the clutch. $6-700 is normal cost including labour and parts for the stock replacement job.

[emily_mx5]

haha oh mr morlock you make me laugh.

Kart, lightened flywheels are the greatest thing ever. But maybe try to find someones car that has one fitted, as it drives very differently from stock, it might not be for you.

Slaves are cheap, $30 or so, and aftermarket one is fine, deffs replace it.

To check if the master is still holding up, look at the top of the dead pedal inside the cabin, if there is fluid dripping on it, it means the seal is leaking.
Use a genuine Mazda master; mine was $130 delivered new from mx5parts.uk

If you dont have any big power plans and enjoy driving it as is, maybe just go with a standard replacement, which is actually an Exedy unit.

I dont think that braided clutch line will fit your car, as it's designed for left hand drive cars, it is too short for us.

[kart]

Thanks all for the help and advice

See, responses like deviant's and emily's make me fiend for a light flywheel. I love the sound of something that makes that little engine rev even more freely, all the fun is high up the rev range lets be honest.

I'll need to see how much I can locally acquire a light flywheel or I'll just leave it alone I guess. Waiting for a call back from ABS on supplying and fitting OEM replacement clutch and fly. Also calling a couple similar shops like Brakes West and Perth Gearboxes Differential and Clutch Centre. Any other recommendations are welcome

No fluid dripping so guess the master is fine, and I won't be bothering with a braided clutch line now. Thank you again

[emily_mx5]

if you are open to having bits of other model mx5's in your car haha,
is getting a standard NA6 flywheel and a new NA6 clutch.

A 1.6 clutch and flywheel is lighter than a 1.8 assembly. If you're not aiming for lots of power, or don't tend to abuse a clutch, you could use the 1.6 clutch and the 1.6 flywheel on your 1.8.

All of the NA/NB clutches are interchangeable, any clutch will fit any year. You just need a matching set of parts. Flywheel, clutch disk and pressure plate all have to be the same diameter.

just another option maybe

[bootz]

if you are open to having bits of other model mx5's in your car haha,
is getting a standard NA6 flywheel and a new NA6 clutch.

A 1.6 clutch and flywheel is lighter than a 1.8 assembly. If you're not aiming for lots of power, or don't tend to abuse a clutch, you could use the 1.6 clutch and the 1.6 flywheel on your 1.8.

All of the NA/NB clutches are interchangeable, any clutch will fit any year. You just need a matching set of parts. Flywheel, clutch disk and pressure plate all have to be the same diameter.

just another option maybe

Oh very tricksy!

How much lighter is a 1.6 complete assembly?

I don't see any 1.6 clutches with the six speed gearbox, can it be done?

PS at the risk of stirring someone up - forget a lightened flywheel - is there something wrong with the way your car performs? There was a recent thread on flywheels with a number of opinions but I think I was the only one to actually consult someone who designed engines for a living. I take my own advice ie replaced clutch with standard Exedy and would do the same again if it dies.

Sort of missing the point, Mr M, enthusiasts whether they be Hi Fi, cars or cameras like to tweak and fiddle to get the best result. To quote the Boss, "Mama, that's where the fun is"

I have had good experience with Rotomotion in Maddington, they do know performance Mazdas but any good mechanic can change a clutch, it is not rocket science.

[wun911]

It is possible to do it yourself on stands saving you some money but it does help a lot if you have some friends to help you and it helps even more if you have a hosit or pit or giant ramps and some quality tools etc etc.

Its straight forward and there are a lot of wirte ups and photos in this forum and on miata net if you look back a couple of years.

As for the flywheel if you want to save more money again you can lighten the stock flywheel it has a fair amout of potential to lighten but you will never get it as light as an aftermarket one (with a fair safety margin). Im now totally used to mine never stalled in traffic or reverse parking and I purchased the lightest flywheel I could find I think its around 9 pounds and your thinking of buying a 12 pound flywheel.

As for the price of your goods its reasonable but would have been even better a few months ago when the AUD was 1.05 or so, its dropped down a lot lately (and Im not sure about your shipping costs).

I think I also replaced my NB8B clutch at around the 170,000-180,000 km mark.

[kart]

Just got a couple quotes, one with the exedy kit and machining the flywheel $980.

Another (OEM) clutch kit and fly fitted $750

Still very tempted to throw in a light flywheel, these guys don't seem to be able to source it. Any WA peeps know where I could obtain one?

[speed freak]

haha oh mr morlock you make me laugh.

Kart, lightened flywheels are the greatest thing ever. But maybe try to find someones car that has one fitted, as it drives very differently from stock, it might not be for you.

Slaves are cheap, $30 or so, and aftermarket one is fine, deffs replace it.

To check if the master is still holding up, look at the top of the dead pedal inside the cabin, if there is fluid dripping on it, it means the seal is leaking.
Use a genuine Mazda master; mine was $130 delivered new from mx5parts.uk

If you dont have any big power plans and enjoy driving it as is, maybe just go with a standard replacement, which is actually an Exedy unit.

I dont think that braided clutch line will fit your car, as it's designed for left hand drive cars, it is too short for us.

where is the best place to buy a new clutch slave from esp for $30 or so?
iv seen them advertised for about $130 for a new one on local websites