Good day NAM,

It's looking like the clutch has gone out on my car, I'm looking at parts and told myself when I bought the car that anything that would break would be replaced with a performance part. Well, here we are- I'm looking at this kit from ECS, but a little hesitant as I've never had experience with an aluminum flywheel before and want to make sure that it's the right move before I go and spend the money.

Thanks!

 

Mini Mania advertised OEM clutch / flywheel pkg weighed about 40 lbs. OS Giken's STR series is 26 - 28 lbs, depending on which model. Light flywheels allow much quicker acceleration once you get above 2K or so RPM's, but there's an inertia tradeoff --- loss of launch acceleration. Might not be as pronounced with K03 - 04 turbos, but very noticeable with my big Garrett. I've been running OSG for about ten years and love the performance --- don't want jack-rabbit starts but enjoy the ability to get around the hiway slow-pokes. If you upgrade, pay attention to torque limits of the new one --- ensure your future upgrades won't exceed the rated torque. OSG's STR1CD is rated at 300 ft-lbs and my 420 output just destroyed it. In the middle of upgrading to OSG's STR2C --- 500+ ft-lbs.

 

I really should have mentioned that the car is RPM Stage 2 tuned, with the required mods. I haven't had it dyno'd, but Detroit Tuned estimates around 240bhp. I'm unlikely to add much more power to it until it's no longer my daily driver. I had planned to move into suspension parts next, but that is a bit derailed by my current clutch issue, unfortunately.

The benefits of a lighter flywheel are enticing, I don't think I'll have any issue with being able to hold the power, but the tradeoffs are duely noted.

Thanks for the insight!

 

For what it’s worth, I have the ClutchMasters FX100 with steel flywheel in my stage 2 car. The steel flywheel is about the same weight as the OEM dual mass wheel, so I noticed no performance change other than from a lighter pedal pressure. I do regret not going with the lighter flywheel, but for a daily driver I wanted minimal change in drivability. The FX100 kit is nice for a daily driver.

 

The FX100 kit with the aluminum flywheel is the kit that I'm looking at installing. I didn't know there was a version with a steel flywheel, but from what I've gathered here and elsewhere, the only concern with this kit/flywheel is the change in how you drive. That is something that I am willing to deal with, plus I'm planning on adding a short shifter kit at the same time since I'll have the exhaust off anyway. Between those two things, I anticipate the car feeling quite a bit different to drive in the beginning.

Thanks for the input, both of you!

 

I bought mine direct from ClutchMasters. If you ask nicely, they might give you the same price that ECS is offering.

Aluminum FX100 kit - https://clutchmasters.com/i-30498032?q=
Steel FX100 kit - https://clutchmasters.com/i-30498033?q=

 

Thank you for the links! I'll consider contacting ClutchMasters directly, as you suggested. (Edit: I sent them a ticket with a very friendly request for a price match of 10% to match ECS pricing)

Unrelated, but can I ask where you got the image in your signature? or did you make it yourself? It looks great! I'd love to have one of my Chili Red, black top hatch.

 

I installed a JMTC with lightened steel flywheel, works great engine RPM's climb quicker, quicker throttle response, but a bit easier to stall if your not paying attention, I think its about 5 pounds lighter than stock, aluminum is half the weight I think. Aluminum would be a hand full unless your running track only

 

I would recommend AGAINST the JMTC flywheel for the sole reason that they do not include the crank locking hole used when setting the timing for a chain service. There are other reasons to avoid their products, but this is a HUGE mess in my book.

 

appreciate you sharing about steel flywheel and good fit with daily drivers.