showtime-rx8

Ok clutch went bad today so i am ordering a clutch kit, which clutch kit is best on the market right now price isnt an issue and i will be getting a fly wheel... plus this is for series 2

I was thinking exedy stage 2 seeing the stage one says its only for the 03-07 units
http://www.racingbeat.com/RX8/Clutch...ate/12649.html

thats the link you tell me what you guys think

SlickRick51586

Your probably not going to like it unless you're used to it and have driven a car with an aftermarket clutch before.

How many miles do you have? Do you abuse the clutch (lots of launches, ride it, etc)? I'm surprised you wore it out.

Not trying to talk you out of it, but I would just go OEM replacement + lightened flywheel. The only Caveat to this is if you are tracking the car regularly.

Has anyone done a lightened flywheel on the S2, I know the S1 didn't throw a CEL with lighter flywheels, I'm curious about the S2.

shaunv74

ACT or Exedy heavy duty street is fine. Most clutches that say "stage 2" are for horsepower and torque applications way above ours even with a turbo.

There is no benefit and usually it is much much less drivable. Stick with a street type clutch.

If you're not sure if the Series 1 replacement clutches will work call the company to confirm. I don't think the clutch has been changed. Our clutches are the same as the old 13B clutches so chances are the series I clutches will work on the series II RX8s. Racing Beat can also confirm for you.

www.racingbeat.com

showtime-rx8

Well, when i get the RB sways and suspension i am going to start tracking my car, i also want other upgrades, maybe even gonna go with spray but idk if that can be used on the track... but not FI

shaunv74

Yup. It's fine on the track. I track my car and autox regularly with the HD street clutch and it's been great. You will hate anything more than you need as it really does affect the driveability. The HD clutchs are good to 400hp. Even with a Turbo you're not going to anywhere near that.

TRUST US!!

showtime-rx8

And if i may ask what is the difference between stage 1 and 2 does stage 2 just catch better...
And the lightweight flywheel

shaunv74

The stage 2 has more clamping force and a harder friction surface to handle more torque. That means the springs are stronger and a harder friction surface. It will be harder to engage and disengage and will have a much smaller friction zone to modulate. This will make it harder to start on hills and shift smoothly. More stalling, more jerky starts, and requires revving higher to engage without stalling. Most RX8 guys that have tried these have gotten tired and annoyed at them and switched back to HD clutches.

showtime-rx8

Alright thank you! and what about the Light weight Fly wheel

shaunv74

I like my lightweight flywheel BHR and Racingbeat both have excellent ones. Although if the car is still under bumper to bumper warranty you should try to get the clutch replaced for free under warranty and spend your money on something else if you can.

showtime-rx8

well, the dealership was charging 1600? so i decided to get a aftermarket one

THEY STEAL lol

SlickRick51586

Funny, they should cover it under your warranty.

Only reason they would charge is if they thought your left foot was the cause , or Mazda somehow considers it a wear item. I don't have experience with Mazda, but I got my clutch replaced on my Subaru under warranty.

showtime-rx8

Yah i dont completely know why it was even that much money, i dont mind being charged but i just think that was alot

shaunv74

You shouldn't be charged at all since you're still under the bumper to bumper warranty. If the dealer is giving you a hard time I'd recommend you call Mazda North America and complain that your warranty is not being honored. Give them the dealer contact information and they should contact the dealer directly on your behalf. Hey, a free clutch is a beautiful thing. Better to spend the money and time on something fun rather than doing the clutch if it should be covered for free.

Mazda Customer Assistance Representatives are available
Monday - Friday, 6:00am - 4:45pm Pacific Time
1-800-222-5500

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

The Bumper To Bumper Warranty doesn't cover wear items and Mazda does consider the clutch a wear item. In the past they have replaced them up to 1yr/12k mile mark. I don't know what their present policy is.

shaunv74

Aww. That's crap.

xexok

I would figure the clutch is a wear item, if most everyone doesn't have to replace it for a long time that would tell me either showtime is doing something wrong or his clutch was faulty somehow. If it can be somehow proven there was something wrong with it I bet he could get it replaced.

It all comes down to how you drive it, my last car the oem clutch was still going strong at 110k miles. Some people even got much more than that out of it. I dont know when people generally end up replacing the rx8s clutch but it should be something that if used properly will last you a very long time.

If he bought the car used, then the other owner may have been a horrible driver or let multiple people learn stick in that car. Lots of possibilities but they all come down to proper use, or faulty clutch I think.

showtime-rx8

I actually learned manual in the car which may be why, this is my first manual car... I dont ride the clutch at all tho... but all the wear is probably when i first started?

shaunv74

Well if you're stuck there are two places I recommend going to buy your clutch and flywheel.

www.blackhaloracing.com - Charles R. Hill is the owner and a regular contributor on this forum. you can PM him and he'll recommend a clutch and flywheel package.

www.racingbeat.com - They sell the ACT clutch and their aluminum flywheel. That's the package I have and love it. It's a little jerky on startup but that's just my fault. It makes the Mazdaspeed flywheel feel like stock.

showtime-rx8

Thanks for everything!

ASH8

No car manufacturer covers a wearable or consumer-able items under warranty, particularly clutches.

This owner "may" of had a case if it wore out within 6 months or so from new, but...

How does the manufacturer know if this owner rests their foot on the clutch pedal while normally driving?, or all the other driver variables and uses.

Or has done a few dozen 0-60 time trials?, burnouts...whatever.

In my experience almost all worn out clutches can be traced back to owner use or dare I say abuse.

Brake pads are the same.

amdhunter

wtf, how many miles on your car? How'd the clutch go out so quick?

rXter

Agree. Clutch is legitimately a wear item. My Dad gets 120K out of the clutch on his manual Camry. I burned mine up on the RX8 in less than half that. But, naturally, I have a lot more fun. Fun costs.