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Trying to choose the right clutch/flywheel for me

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Old 06-02-2012, 01:12 PM
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Trying to choose the right clutch/flywheel for me

I want something that really fits with me and my lifestyle and expresses who I am as a person in the world. U kno??

I have a 2007 MT Sport with a RB flash and AFE SS. That's it for upgrades atm.

the flywheel contenders
1) Mazdapseed
+ dealer will install it while doing my power train warranty work
+ no negatives i've read about this flywheel on the forum
+ yes it's 15lb, but that's including counterweight
- maybe $100 more expensive
- not the lightest of the light

2) BHR
+ maybe a few pounds lighter than MS when you count the counterweight (and why wouldn't you??)
+ the cool kids use it (mazdamaniac, etc, etc)
+ decent price
- less enthusiastic reviews
- maybe a bit hyped due to rampant vendor support (a good thing but can also contribute to hype)

3) Sr motorspors
+ still lighter than the MS, slightly heavier (~1lb) than the BHR
+ really glowing reviews, albeit from what sounds like novice drivers
- haven't heard stanch support for this flywheel from veteran modders

4) ACT Prolite
+ also lighter than MS
+ ACT is a reputable brand with a lot of flywheel experience
- description says driveability is affected with this over the streetlite (not sure i care if it's only a little bit affected, i want it to be affected)

5) Racing Beat (edit: added 6/5/12)
+ high praise among veteran drivers
+ company is well established for quality street/track rx8 mods
+ i have the RB flash (extra synergy? probably not)
- many have said that while having lower weight it has the same moment of inertia as the MS

If I had to choose based on reviews, I'd go with 3) or 5), If I choose base on reliability I'd go with 4) or 1) (maybe 2 and 5). How should I maybe rethink this? Racing beat seems just as good as the mazdaspeed but with the dealer bitching a bit more to have it installed.

What do I want out of a flywheel upgrade? I'd like the rpms to drop faster if I'm in neutral and my foot isn't on the pedal and I'd like the rpms to go up quicker and make driving more challenging but also more rewarding in terms of gas pedal response.

On to clutches..

Really, the only clutches I'm considering are
1) Keep stock
+ it isn't broken
- it's too soft feeling
- way to wide an area of engagement

2) Exedy Stage 1 Organic
+ most trusted company for clutches, they made the OEM clutch
+ everyone suggests this
- maybe not a big difference from stock
- might not support small boost FI upgrade (possible in the future)

3) Exedy Stage 1 HD Organic
+ beefier, good for up to almost 300lb/ft
+ 8-10psi boost ready
- don't know people's experience with it

Any thoughts on exedy stage 1 vs stage 1 hd vs stock?

My driving style is mostly street spirited, with a few cruises a year around the bends with a pack of miatas in the area. While I mostly drive spirited I sometimes mellow it down and go real slow in a high gear for smoothness and to prevent bucking at low rpm. I anticipate this later style may be affected with a light weight flywheel. Is that right?

Thanks for the feedback, m8s.

Last edited by larkin; 06-05-2012 at 11:01 AM.
Old 06-02-2012, 01:25 PM
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There is nothing wrong with the factory one. I have several years racing on the current one, which includes the Pro Solo series which is a drag race start format. I typically drop-clutch launch between 6000 - 8500 rpm and have hundreds of launches on it.

but if the money is burning a hole in your pocket you better hurry up and waste it, which is probably befitting of your lifestyle and expressing who you are

otherwise you don't replace a perfectly good clutch now because maybe, just maybe, you might go FI in the future, unless of course it fits your lifestyle and expresses who you are
Old 06-02-2012, 01:34 PM
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hey m8,
Originally Posted by TeamRX8
otherwise you don't replace a perfectly good clutch now because maybe, just maybe, you might go FI in the future, unless of course it fits your lifestyle and expresses who you are
I'm a little worried that driving around crunching into 3rd and 4th gear due to worn synchros for about 4 months may have damaged the factory clutch. It's not slipping at all but is clutch damage from driving with bad synchros a valid concern?

p.s. flywheel preference?
Old 06-03-2012, 12:02 PM
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Y mor ppl no reply
Old 06-05-2012, 10:28 AM
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I should probably throw the Racing Beat flywheel into the mix too.
Old 06-05-2012, 10:42 AM
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I like a lightweight flywheel. I think it makes the gear changes easier and the engine rev faster. I have the MS one currently.
After ripping the friction surface off the oem clutch on my RX7 race car, I got a sprung 6 puck clutch. Today I guess they call it a stage 3 clutch. It's likely over kill for a street car, but it sure did grab well.
Old 06-05-2012, 10:47 AM
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Stock clutch and flywheel has worked fine for me for the last 128,000 miles (replaced with new stock setup at 96k during an engine replacement).
Old 06-05-2012, 12:20 PM
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Pretty awesome post that includes A/B dyno results of stock vs RB flywheel: https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...9&postcount=29

I'm leaning towards RB now because it has some dyno evidence (~10% increase in torque in 2nd). Shall see if the dealer will agree to install a non-mazda part. If not, I might have no choice in the matter.
Old 06-05-2012, 05:04 PM
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Same MS, MR, RB and ACT flywheels around since then. Has the stuff that's transpired done a dyno A/B pull? Cause if so, I would want to pay pretty close attention to that!
Old 06-06-2012, 11:48 AM
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I am interested in investigating this non-quantitative rational you're eluding to. I've read tons of flywheel threads here but seem to have missed that one. Is there documentation of this rx8 summit where the self-anointed of middle earth chose one flywheel to rule us all?
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