cas2themoe

Going to get a clutch, flywheel and pressure plate installed next week. But before I tell RP Performance which setup I would like, I wanted to hear your opinions on which product setup you all think is best.

I'm leaning towards the Racing Beat or ACT.

http://www.advancedclutch.com/

http://www.racingbeat.com/

What do you all think?

TooBIG

I thought someone said the RB was made by ACT.. or used ACT parts.
Don't quote me, but I thought I read that.

When you do upgrade, please post your results.
I am also looking to do the same mods.
Thanks
-B

KYRX8

i am also curious as to what seems to be the best clutch

cas2themoe

I got two different price quotes from RP Performance in Virginia. They said Racing Beat's clutch, flywheel and pressure plate will be $1140 with Labor. Only takes a day for them to do everything. The ACT Parts are $1300-1350 with Labor from what he said.

army_rx8

racing beat is made by clutch net (at least the hd street/strip disk is) and their pressure plate is made by Exedy. :D

what clutch are you getting i paid 280 for racingbeats clutch and pressure plate, and a new throwout bearing (from RB) and i paid 311.xx (forgot the cents) to have it and my mazdaspeed flywheel installed by RP in Manassas, Va

army_rx8

as for which is the best clutch it all depends on what you plan on using your car for and how much power you plan on putting to the wheels :D for me the pressure plate and hd disck from racingbeat fit my needs. :D

Sea Ray

Ask ObrianRX8 about his. He did the new clutch, braided lines, flywheel, springs, bars, etc. Drives like a different car. Took me a while toget use to the stiff clutch, about 3 shifts, before I liked it

Love it! He cost me a few bucks with that test drive. KYRX8, didn't you also get a quick drive too? Maybe we can get a deal on buying a set of suspension parts. Not sure if I want to spring for the clutch and flywheel at this point.

Snap on probably knows which brand he got.

KYRX8

he got the ACT clucth. I drove it and liked it. Im not ready for the flywheel yet either , but id love to have the clutch, just so i have it when i need it or when i start modding the car ill have it.
I would like the springs and sway bars he has. Car turns so flat, its beautiful. I will also be ordering those parts sometime in the near future

cas2themoe

So how was the clutch response and acceleration compared to the stock clutch?

KYRX8

the response was better, it took a minute to get used to. As far as accelleration goes, i didnt really feel like it was any faster, but i would have to drive it again and pay more attn for that.

cas2themoe

was it stiffer?

KYRX8

yes

Sea Ray

The clutch was stiffer but the action was extremely smooth and consistant along the whole travel of the pedal. It did seem to grab better when I chirped the tires going into 2nd but since it was not my car I didn't want to abuse it. Plus he was sitting next to me and he is much bigger than I am

The overall handling is what I liked, much less roll but still did not seem uncomfortably stiff at all.

I did comment to him that I found it easier to shift without any jerkiness although not sure if the flywheel or clutch was the reason. Didn't really have much issue with starting off in 1st as some have said with the lighter flywheel.

cas2themoe

Cool the more infor the better.........................

rxeightr

I went with the MazdaSpeed Clutch & Pressure Plate, which is an Exedy product. Purchased it from Thew @ rx8garage.net
Have had it installed with the ACT Prolite Flywheel since mid-March.
The clutch is stiffer, but not too much so.

OBryanRX8

your funny searay, yes the clutch is a little stiffer, but alot smoother and i enjoy it alot. Oh by the way it came from srmotorsports.com i love the 9.75lb flywheel, made the throttle response crisper and seem to run smoother through the entire rpm range. as far as acceleration i bet the only way to tell would be on a track probably very slight difference, but worth it. the flywheel actually said indigo on it and the clutch was the ACT the throw out bearing was larger and i dont have as much noise when letting out on the pedal out of gear like i did before.

Like searay said the tanabe GF210 springs, and racing beats front and rear sways with endlink upgrade is a must have and today i finished of the suspension with front and rear greddy strut braces hehe. something that i did like alot was srmotorsports braided clutch line fit perfect but a bear to bleed out. the braided brake lines are sweet too.

i highly recommend everything on this list and recommend them to anyone with an 8 you wont regret.

ps the car has enough adustment to bring the car back into alignment after the spring install

need anymore info you know what to do

Razz1

You gonna pay $ 1200 for a clutch?

Your on drugs. Doesn't cost that much to install.

cas2themoe

sweet I may get the sway bars put in too, but I'm really looking at replacing the Clutch, Flywheel and Pressure Pate First. Nobody has felt a difference in acceleration?

cas2themoe

No, its the clutch, flywheel, pressure plate, through-out bearing and installation.