Rotary_Illiterate

Clutch disk is out in the 04 rx8 says mechanic. My question is, what is a good reliable stage 2 brand? Also, car only has 50k miles on it do I need to do flywheel as well, rather should I?

Thanks Fellas,

lordagrabah

iTrader: (1)

You might have to replace the flywheel. Probably would be your best option. If you're car is stock as in naturally aspirated, the oem clutch is fine. ACT offers a good stage 2 clutch to my knowledge. I personally went with centerforce's dual friction clutch as I like a soft pedal. You will be sure to get different opinions though.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

a good machine shop or some garage can resurface your stock steel flywheel for a small fee. I had my FC's Flywheel done for 40 bux. hard to find such shop in big city cuz machine shops are more "rare", took me a while to find one in Long Island, drove an hour there, drop the flywheel, come back couple hours later, looks brand new again.

like CRH said, u don't need a "Stage 2" clutch cuz honestly, stock rx-8 does not have the kind of torque ... Stock Clutch is good enough but for some weird reason a Stage 1 clutch kit usually cost the same if not cheaper than stock clutch. so why not Stage 1 right ?

Rotary_Illiterate

I'm looking at a Stage 2 kit ( looking to turbo within next 3 mos) its by a company F1 racing. I've read good reviews, but anyone have any good experience?

Arca_ex

iTrader: (10)

Even if you go turbo you can still use a Stage 1 unless you're looking to go for like the 320+RWHP range. Exedy (the manufacturer of the stock clutch) makes excellent products and the Exedy Stage 1 will still hold a turbo just fine. If you really want Stage 2 then I'd still go with Exedy.

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

I'm going Turbo in 3 months?

why not now ?

cuz I strongly suggest you to rebuild your engine and port it for better flow for turbo, but in order to do that, it has to come out from the car which means, if you're replacing the clutch now you will be doing(paying for) the labor twice.

and yes I agreed with Arca_ex. Exedy is one of the biggest (I think it's the world's largest) Clutch disc manufacture. it used to called Daikin Clutches(long time ago) they make nothing but good ****.

dmedz8

iTrader: (5)

I don't really understand what a "stage II" clutch is exactly. I am running the ACT Pro-lite fly wheel with the HDG6 (6 puck) clutch. I believe I payed $720 for everything including counterweight and SS clutch line. Mine has a firmer pedal feel so I would recommend welding the clutch pedal. It will take some getting used to and drivability will go down until then.

I recommend THmotorsports
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...act+clutch+kit

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

different "stages" of clutch will use stronger spring and different material. (or even NO spring)

stock or Stage 1 usually use Organic material (cuz no one wants asbestos anymore)

Stage 2 usually use stuff like Kevlar (or partly Kevlar)

then Stage 3 and up will use more and more metalic material. and the higher end one will use Carbon fiber.

the higher the stage, the harder they bite (grab)

clutches without spring is totally not for street use, instead of engaging it slowly, it's either ON, or OFF. more for Racing purposes where maximum power is needed.

for some other cars like STi or Evo, when u up the boost (power), stock clutch might slip cuz the spring it's not strong enough, and the material might not be able to stand the slippage for too long(burns out) so when u have a stronger disc, instead of slipping it will just grab the flywheel.

clutches are found in some "super fast" AT boxes like the ones in GT-R(called GR6). it has 12 pieces of clutch disc in there(6 sp), but it's rated for around 550 hp for 09-11 version and about 600-ish for 2012+, it has some early faults. Nissan fixed most of the problems in the 2012 version especially the gear slater part. but that's not what we're talking about here

but this is also a compromising game, the harder your Clutch material(spring also) is, more wear to the flywheel surface.

I still have my ACT HD Clutch in my garage, should have sold it, had it in the car for a while and took it back out for Stock Exedy. cuz I really don't see the point of it it gains no power (no matter how much ur butt dyno tells ya) and it makes daily driving harder. so what's the point ?

dmedz8

iTrader: (5)

Well for me, I needed a new clutch and decided to go to a light weight flywheel while it was out. I wanted a firmer pedal feel and faster engagement so Adam recommended the HDG6 (sprung 6 puck)


clutch kicks are really fun

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

firmer pedal feel can be adjusted.

as for faster engagement, you gonna get sick of it after while, trust me.

dmedz8

iTrader: (5)

probably true. but I get sick of shifting sometimes too