Anyone put in a new JCW clutch and feel it soft or light? Not the old stiff feeling.

Did a clutch job on 70k. Dealer claims it's the original feeling. "Buttery" Seems light or soft to me.

I read that clutches have to be broken in. The dealer claims no. I read the clutch will stiffen after break-in.

Thoughts?

Thanks! More thanks if there's no sarcasm

 

They changed them somewhere along the line. The latest clutches are much lighter than earlier ones. My early model JCW was much heavier than either of my GP's. I replaced the clutch on the JCW with a new one, and it was then light like the GP's.

You will get used to it

 

Mine is a bit lighter than the original. Just make sure the bleeding is done correctly and all the air is out.

 

Dealer claimed they didn't open the clutch line so they didn't have to bleed it.

 

Sounds okay. I usually check to make sure anyway. Did they change just the friction plate or both the friction plate and the clutch pressure plate? Dual mass pressure plate?

 

dual mass pressure plate. and the flywheel. They changed both because it was covered under warranty and they could do it for free. What I'm feeling BEFORE: heavier plate and I could feel the point of engagement. NOW: light pedal push. can't feel point of engagement for clutch and clutch pedal travels all the way before engagement.

 

I just installed JM TURBO SM FLYWHEEL STAGE 3 KEVLAR CLUTCH. It takes over 1 thousand miles break in. If you don't break in this clutch right you will glaze it over and it's then junk. It's the strongest clutch after break in. ARRIC who is a owner is great to speak to and is full of info. I'm planning to do more business with them.
Phil

 

I heard to break in you drive 3 to 4000 rpm. Mostly stop n go. Don't press it or drop it.

Yeah JM is great on the turbo advice. I've always timed out mine.

 

I've been trying to stay out of it. I just started playing with the sport button. And I can feel the throttle difference. I can feel the clutch gripping much more now. With my mods ARRIC said if I install there upgraded turbo & map I will have 350hp to the crank and 300hp to the wheels. That's what I planned on from the beginning of this project. When I purchased the car preowned a few yrs ago with 25K on it. I'm almost at 34K. It's not my DD. I wish we had some big meets close to the NY city area.

 

You're in New York? wow. Bad potholes. huh

I thought you were close to JM. I may stop there on my way back to LA.

I bought mine at 22k and have 70 2 1/2 years later. It's a DD and under extended warranty. So no mapping right now. How's the feel of that Kevlar clutch? And how long do they warranty the clutch? Does it have a stiff feeling? At what point do you feel it engaging?

 

The clutch grabs off the floor. It's starting to get grippier. Arric said if I have any problems
Let him know. I'm planning on there turbo upgrade and custom map for my mods. This is not going to happen for a while unless I fall into money.
Phil

 

OK. Let me ask you something. I have a new clutch and I'm still jawboning with the dealer on how it feels and if there's air in the line.

- did you bleed your line when replaced your clutch?
- and when you say "grabs off the floor" do you mean it engages when the pedal is pushed to the floor as opposed to the first 1/3rd?
- and when you say "getting grippier" I read that new clutches stiffen up after breakin - true?

Thanks!

 

We changed to synt motul fluid. This **** is $17 per bottle and he used almost 4.but the clutch and brakes work on the same system. He also bled my brakes. I had no idea when it was done last and the car is a 09', so I said do it.
I have some fluid left over. Yes it starts grabbing about a 1/4 " off the floor. With the Kevlar clutches you have to break it into the flywheel so it seats properly. My mechanic said don't get on it or use the sport switch for a few hundred miles. He felt it slip a little when he brought the car back. Supposedly there is only a big break in period with these Kevlar clutches. But once there broken in there supposedly bullet proof. Makes sense! If you put in a ceramic clutch it's broken in after 50 miles.
Yes I'm in the New York area .
Phil

 

Nice rec on the Motul fluid. I'm sure the dealer didn't use that.

So are you saying you also bled the clutch Phil?

Mine grabs a 1/4 off the floor too. Maybe that's normal.

 

I never replaced the clutch but I can attest it is very heavy and also grabs at 1/4 off the floor.

 

Thanks!

 

I had the old clutch in my 07' Cooper S and when I went to the new clutch in my '12 JCW ( which is the new S clutch) it was a big difference. Much better feel. But if you compare to other Make cars it might feel heavier.

 

Hey Mike / ECS

I thought the JCW clutch was diff from the S clutch? So it's the same clutch.

 

Hello

Yes, Now it is, they superceded the Cooper S Part to the JCW part. Now its a stronger and better feeling pressure plate for the old n14.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...utch-feel.html

 

OH it's better. Thanks! Case closed You guys at ECS are great!

 

Thanks!