now that many Minis are getting some miles on them more and more clutches are needing to be replaced......this thread can be helpful to others....... what are the recomendations and why.... to go with a light FW or not and if so which one and why..... is your info from experience or what you have heard or read?

there are different opinions and this is a costly item with the install.....the experts conflict as usual...... I am leaning in a direction but before I pull the trigger I would like some input.... my car will have close to 200 ft lbs at the wheels

Thanks in advance

Bob

 

Bob,
I went with the Clutchmasters fx300 clutch and their 13lb flywheel. I'm only 100 and some miles into it so I will let you know what I think after the break-in period. I'm enjoying it so far though, definitely a daily driver friendly setup

 

My recommendation is the Clutch Masters Stage 3 [aka fx300]. It held up beautifully with my turbo MINI, which I ran at upwards of 260wLb-Ft, all while being streetable and near-stock pedal effort for a daily driven MINI. I had 15k on it with lots of track and dyno time: thumbs up from me; I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.

Lightweight flywheel is your decision; it will make the car tougher to drive and easier to stall in traffic, but will help shift quickness and shift transparency on the track. It changes the drivability more than the clutch.

$0.02,
Ryan

 

Another for the Clutch Master stage three. Stock feel with lots of grip. Good price as well.

Longboard

 

Guess we all will pitch what we have.

LOL

I went with the Exedy Stage 3 Clutch Kit With Lightweight Flywheel.

26 lbs. lighter than the stock clutch flywheel combo.

Talk about quick response.

But it is a bit harder to drive on the street.

I love it.

SpiderX, we should get together and you can drive mine.

Then you can see for yourself.

 

What's a good upgrade to the stock clutch if you've just have the basic mods that the majority of us MINI enthusiasts have? or is it best to stick with stock?

 

I drove my first (197 whp) MCS to 60,000 miles with the stock clutch.

Only replaced it because we had to repair a flywheel that self destructed and since we were in there, it seemed sensible to go ahead and replace the clutch.

For most lightly modded cars, the stock clutch should be fine, IMO.

SpiderX's stock clutch hung in there with lots of power for a long time.

 

Based on my fantastic Clutch Masters experience, I would say a Stage 1 or 2 would be sufficient. FWIW, I ran my stock clutch until it started slipping at 49k miles. At that point, my M45 setup had about 170wLb-Ft. The stock clutch is pretty wimpy [almost Evo 8 wimpy!]; frankly I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did in Bob's car.

 

I have the spec stage 3+ mated with the UUC and love it! It's really not that diffucult to drive and capable of holding whatever you can throw at it...seriously it's not that much harder to controll than the stock clutch. I think we talked about this before on PM...What did John at LDG recomend?

 

Another stage 3 FX300 and light flywheel... One reason to consider the lightweight flywheel is that I have yet to find a machine shop to resurface a DM flywheel. I am working on an adaptor with a machinist, but not done yet.

No doubt that you will have some hot spots, surface cracks or other blems that will affect the break in or life of the new clutch disc.

Chad

 

I recomend the Spec stage 2 clutch with a new stock flywheel. I have this set up and am quite please. It engages fast, but is smooth at the same time, plus there is minimal drivetrain noise.

 

I've been on a Spec 3+ for about a week now. It's taken a little while to get used to. In my car it is very different from the stock. The pedal is dramatically lighter and the engagement point has changed too.

It would really depend on how you drive on whether the Spec 3+ would get good for you. It engages very quickly (the throw distance from out to in is pretty small), but it doesn't even have a hint of slipping under load.

I wasn't even debating putting in a lightweight flywheel. The negatives far outweigh the positives for me. I stuck with the stock flywheel (with it's 70000 miles) and haven't had a problem.

 

Where did you purchase your Exedy and for how much?

 

Carolina Clutch about $1130 or so.

 

FWIW I went with the Clutchmaster

 

Thanks, in my search this morning that was the only place I found it really.

Can you do me a favor and check this link to tell me I'm looking at the right part number.

Part # BH01SD
http://www.carolinaclutch.com/ShowItem/104834.aspx

 

Yes, but do confirm with a phone call.

 

So how do you like the fx300 after the break in period?

 

O man its the best upgrade next to the pulley IMO...pulllssss hard

 

Why would a lightweight flywheel make the car harder to drive in street and easier to stall in traffic?

 

Its more of the clutch that goes with it, stage 3 and up some people say is hard to drive but it never bothered me, also the lw flywheel makes the rev's go up alot quicker, and drop quicker..

Jack

 

I see. I got the impression it was the lightweight flywheel from this post:

 

So, my '05 MINI is just about to hit 21k and I already think it is getting close to time for a new clutch. What does everyone think of the clutches that mini-madness sells? My to priority is durability, so I was looking at there stage two kit which is kevlar disc, which AFAIK is more durable than an organic clutch.


It's not like I abused the clutch (that much) or anything it is just a of stop and go driving with plenty of hills thrown in. Plus whenever my parents drive it they really rev the engine and feather it a lot while they are engaging.

 

Send them for lesons or tell then they won't be allowed to drive it if they don't stop abusing it !

 

what's a fair installation cost of a new clutch?