Hi guys, my clutch is almost dead and I was thinking on buying the Clutch Hyper Single Stage 3 from Alta. Anyone has it?, what do you think of it?, will be much better than the original from BMW?, more power?.

Thanks a lot,
Ricky!

 

It looks like an Exedy clutch that's been rebadged to me. That's not a bad thing; Exedy clutches are fan-freakin-tastic!

 

I have the Exedy Stage 3 lightweight clutch and flywheel.

I always thought that the Alta was the same, but I don't know for sure.

I love the combo. Biggest difference in performance of any mod I've ever done. Second would be the pulley.

 

I have a JCW, do you really think that I would need to change the pulley??. People tell me that it would give me many vibration problems..

 

Nothing, no idea?

 

Ricky - If we're talking the supercharger pulley, then "people" have lied to you! The crank pulley, on the other hand, does increase NVH slightly, but nobody will be able to prove that it has an impact on reliability. I had 70k miles on my R53 with a crank pulley, and it consumed zero oil.

Back to the clutch topic; it's not going to "give" you more power, but a lightweight flywheel will reduce your engines inertia, allowing for quicker shifts and less power being soaked up accelerating that heavy stock flywheel. The clutch itself should only hold the torque. If you have a stock JCW car, then the Exedy/ALTA clutch will be more than enough! I'd also look into the Clutch Masters Stage 3 [loved that in my car]. My advice is to stay away from Spec. A few people have had good luck, but I've heard so many bad stories, it's better to avoid the risk, IMO.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

I meant the SC pulley.

I had a 2% crank pulley. I noticed no vibration.

When I went back to stock, in anticipation of the Exedy rig (26 lbs. lighter!), I felt that the car was smoother, and for some reason most noticeable around 4000 rpm. But those seat-of-the pants subjective observations are iffy at best.

The clutch is more like a switch - on/off - than stock. That's to be expected with a super lightweight combo.

But this rig is quieter and subjectively a lot quicker than the Fidanza I had - which self-destructed at 35,000 miles...

Ryephile is correct about it making no more hp.

But if you want faster throttle response, IMO this is the most effective mod (lightweight clutch AND lightweight flywheel) to accomplish that.

 

Ok, got it!. So now I need some help.. As I see everyone recomends me the Hyper clutch Stage 3 from Alta better than the one from BMW, now I know what to do. On the other hand, iwas thinking on what Ryan was telling me, and yes, "people" told me about vibrations with the crank pulley not the supercharger one. So now I have a doubt, would you change the Supercharger pulley? and in case you say yes, what size? 17? the other one 19 might be too much. Maybe the one that comes with the JCW is good enough. If I change the supercharger pulley will i have any kind of problems?, I want this car to last forever!.

Once more, thanks guys!

 

I have a LDG custom tune with a 15%, which is essentailly the same as your JCW.

I used to have the small ones, but wanted the inherent safety and reliability of the 15.

Plus the smaller units don't make necessarily more power. They may make more torque.

Got that handled (butt dyno-wise) with the lighter clutch flywheel combo.

 

Just checked the clutch masters's web site, they don't have light flywheels for Minis!!

 

You could do a flywheel from UUC (rebadged Fidanza) or M7.....I love my UUC......

 

Clutchmaster makes aluminum flywheels for Mini Coopers, even the dual disk I prototyped. If you need more info on them contact me for details.

thanks,

jan