2009 S R56
n14
6-speed
117,000ish

Yet another clutch post. I been reading up on pretty much everything I can find out on clutches. Need some advice in what direction to go. The car is currently stock, would like to have some more fun with it as time and money allow. It isn't a daily driver by any means, might see 2500 - 3000 miles a year. Currently have debt up to my eyeballs and spending a ton of money doesn't sit well right now.

After two days of searching the interwebs, this is what I've found.

1. Cheap: JDK Stage 1 w/ Sachs flywheel - $785 via ebay.com
2. Valeo clutch & Sachs flywheel - $1000 ECS Tuning
3. Stock replacement: $1150 via Way Motor Works
4. Single Mass Flywheel kit: $1200ish Clutch
   Master (I've read more cons than pros about them)
5. Top of the list: OS Giken STR1CD kit - $1550 via mini mania (few other places for about the same price)

Is it crazy get the $785 one? Even if it only last a few years.
How bad is it to just replace the clutch and leave the flywheel as is?

I really just need the car to be dependable enough to get to me work a handful times a year and maybe into town while the wife is at work.

 

When doing a clutch job, biggest question you need to answer is how much longer do you plan on keeping the car? Another year, maybe two? Get the cheapest kit, or just replace the clutch disc and pressure plate. Plan on keeping it 3+ more years? Step up to a more reliable kit with new flywheel.

For what its worth, I installed a Clutchmasters steel single mass flywheel with FX100 clutch kit into my Clubman. I'm running a stage 2 tune, and added an MFactory LSD. The clutch is more than enough for my set up, and the pedal still feels like stock. And, I drive ~20k miles per year, and have have 2+ years on this set up.

 

Ill be doing a clutch/flywheel upgrade soon on a r57 I am building up. Higher HP/TQ car.

 

The Clutchmaster single mass flywheel and clutch kit has been flawless for me

 

does flawless mean no added vibration or chatter ?

Is this your kit ?

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-clutch-m...35-hd00-sk~cl/

Looks to be about the same weight as the dual mass set up ( Clutch, Flywheel, Pressure Plate ), Do you know if it is any lighter or not ?

 

That’s the kit I have, but I bought mine direct from ClutchMasters.

The steel flywheel is about the same weight as the stock dual mass. Makes the engine response same as stock.

if you drove my car, you’d never know the clutch wasn’t stock.

 

"if you drove my car, you’d never know the clutch wasn’t stock."

Pray tell and do elaborate with the specific. Knowing the clutch isn't stock can be good or bad, depending on what one is looking for. Just trying to get details from someone who has first hand knowledge !

 

Stock pedal feel, stock clutch engagement, stronger holding power. I have stage 2 power levels, and this clutch kit has never slipped.

 

I am sure the crispness/grab is better - as that is the advantage of a single mass vs dual mass. More interested if that is at the cost of unwanted vibration or chatter.

 

If the flywheel is balanced like it should be, you won’t get any unwanted vibrations.

I had more chatter with the stock clutch before the change. I haven’t had any chatter with this clutch kit. Now going on 30k+ miles since the change.

 

For what you are asking I'd 100% say go with our new Genuine MINI kit, not aftermarket, as it will be the smoothest and most reliable.
https://www.waymotorworks.com/oem-cl...-cooper-s.html

If you don't need the flywheel it will be the most direct replacement that is cost effective with everything you need in our kit.

We do offer the aftermarket valeo one but the cost savings isn't enough to justify the risk on feel and reliability as I've seen many aftermarket have issues, some brands I will never install again.

 

Thanks njaremka ! Great on no vibration. I think the single mass flywheels are more prone to chatter and vibration given the strength and abruptness of the grip. The dual mass allows a little more early slippage and removes this, but at the cost of crispness and hold ( the latter an issue with higher performance ). Great yours has found the sweet spot !

Hi Way - looks like an improved clutch driven by lots of experience. What flywheels have you paired with this ? If only the Dual mass - what have you observed in higher hp/torque situations. Say a 250 whp car as an example. BTW - welcome back from vacation. Hope it was a good one !

 

at $400 that is in the price range I want.
I know it's bad practice, but I would assume people get by without replacing the dual mass flywheel at the same time?

 

I think you are confusing flywheel with clutch disc. Single mass flywheel aren't necessarily more prone to chatter and vibration, but a clutch disc with the wrong material will be more prone to chatter. The Clutchmasters FX100 clutch disc is their street disc, and is very close to OEM materials. As such, the material used allows for a little bit more slip compared to the materials used for their higher discs. (FX250, FX300, ...) Those segmented Kevlar "puck" style clutch discs are very grippy, and they don't like to slip. Those can be very hard to drive smoothly around town, regardless whether paired with a single mass or dual mass flywheel.

 

My Chevy Duramax (2006 last year with a manual tranny available) had a dual mass flywheel. It was the known weak point of the "hand shaker" transmission. When pulling a load, the dual mass plate would flex causing it to slip. I changed to a single mass (Southbend Clutch) with normal clutch material initially. Had a spring in the clutch assembly let loose after 100,000 miles. Changed to a dual disk with ceramic pads (made for sled pulling like a tractor pull but with a truck). That thing is rock solid. I could pull anything! Only issue with ceramic pads there is NO SLIPPING the clutch. It is either engaged or disengaged, period. BTW, 445,000 on the old girl, anybody looking for a slightly used Chevy Dually?

 

Definitely a single mass / solid flywheel for pulling ! They try to put some of the dual mass flywheel technology in the clutch when you do the conversion to a single ( so the clutch can play the role of the dual mass ).