Since my car is pulled a part I'm thinking about adding a Quaife, racing clutch and a lighten flywheel. My question is I'm all for the lighten flywheel but I don't want chatter in any way, is this possible or am I asking for too much? If it does exist what does it weigh and how much does a stock one way?
M

 

With BMW I always went with UUC I dont know about mini I'll keep my eye on this post too.

 

I don't think it is goin to happen. Three layshaft design with two final drive gears. That's alot of parts to rattle around. Mine rattles more and more with age. I'm hoping to find something wrong with the throw out bearing or disc springs or anything that can be the culprit, but that's wishfull thinking. My gearbox is especially loud with an awfull gear noise when engine braking, so my box may be a special case.

 

Ask Tuls. There is one he rates very high. Do a search.

 

my flywheels from uuc always rattled... even after changing the gear oil like they said... loved em though...


honestly the gear rattle isn't bad... i am going to be putting in the spec flywheel in about a week or two... if you are interested in finding out what that is like let me know

 

I have the spec flywheel and love it. I didn't want to scare him, but he did say that he doesn't want chatter in any way.

 

Mario - Are you coming to AMVIV? If so, it might be an opportunity for you to hear what one or more of the lightened flywheels are like.

I am interested in the Quaife and an LFW too, but probably only a "street" clutch (not right now, but later, since there is still nothing wrong with my drivetrain, and I don't want to buy the labor until something there craps out or my warranty expires).

P.S. Is your car back together yet from the piston flaming out? That was bad news!

 

I have the M7 Segmented Flywheel and that is one of the heavier lightened flywheels on the market today for the MINI. Let's just say, my experience with chatter isn't much different from what 002 and isellem describe. Your best bet is to keep with the stock flywheel if you want no chatter from the drivetrain, or at least reduced chatter. Prior to swapping out the stock flywheel, I always seemed to have a minor chatter on my '03, but I threw that up to not having the improved flywheel that later models came with.

GotMINI

 

Very simple situation here. The stock flywheel is designed to dampen the trans noise. Stock flywheel, little noise. Light flywheel, lots of noise. The End.

 

Do you have a Quiafe installed by any chance? If so, the gear noise under engine braking is most likely that; my engineer has found that if the 'lash' is not set correctly on the diff then everything runs out of alignment, you get noises and shaft wear then eventually fatigue. Installing the Quaife properly is a lot harder than many people realise...

H

 

I believe you are referring to the new Exedy Clutch/ Flywheel combo. Good streetability and I have been hearing alot of positive things about it recently.

Exedy Stage 3 Hyper Single Clutch with Flywheel

 

Mario, whatever flywheel you end up using, make sure you get the whole reciprocating assembly balanced.
Make sure whoever does it has everything: crank, rods w/bolts, pistons w/rings, crank pulley, flywheel w/bolts, pressure plate w/bolts, clutch disc.

 

This thing better be near perfect for what it cost!!! Probably should come with a stripper too!

 

Thats a clutch and Flywheel, still more than the competition, but I can attest to the spec and how much I hate it. It does what it says, holds the power no problems, but day to day traffic will drive you nuts. If I had it to do over again, I would consider a different setup no matter the cost, as driving this thing in stop and go is like learning to drive stick all over again, but never really getting the hang of it.

As for rattling, that is the least of my worries because its the least annoying rattle I have! LOL It does rattle in neutrel so beware of that. I am talking about the Spec that is.

 

what are your driveability problems?

 

The driveability issues with lightened flywheels and performance clutches is the one reason why I spent a lot of time researching the various available kits before I bought one. I will admit, Peter at M7 didn't steer me wrong in that respect. Even with the lightened flywheel, I have no problems with driving in stop-and-go traffic. To be honest, my new setup is actually easier to drive than what I had previously with the stock stuff. The clutch is much lighter and easier to press and, not to mention, I can actually slip the clutch without the engine bogging down so easily.

GotMINI

 

Do you have any chatter? and what type of clutch are you running?

 

Yeah, unfortunately going with a lightened flywheel just means increase in NVH. I actually use a stock clutch with a stronger pressure plate, something that Peter recommended. Honestly, I would call him and tell him what you are looking for. I'm sure he can help point you in the right direction, depending on the mods you'd like to do.

GotMINI

 

No I do not. I am planning to install one with a new clutch soon and the lash will be the first thing I look at...well after the condition of my spec stage two disc after 60k+ hard miles. I am interested to see how the kevlar disc held up.

 

yeah this is hte one I have.... I love it... car is crazy different with it... and it does not chatter

 

Interesting... I'd like to see a MINI in my area with that kit installed. So far every kit I've heard, which includes M7, Spec, and Fidanza, all have chattering problems. What's strange is the fact the M7 version is slightly heavier than the Exedy version, so I'm surprised you aren't experiencing chattering. Unless that Exedy FW dampens out the vibrations somehow, I don't see how a lighter one wouldn't experience the same results, if not worse. Course, I'm still learning about all this anyways, so I could just be missing something. I did do a fair bit of research prior to ordering what I have now, so I guess that's why I'm curious how this particular kit is different from the other ones available.

GotMINI

 

Anyone know anything about the Alta Stage 3 Clutch?



Looks pretty similar to the Exedy, eh?

 

They are the same. Alta didnt rebadge it or anything as their own.

 

the #1 difference is the chromoly flywheel... it's one piece with the ring gear... so it's not only light but uber strong... as for the lack of chattering.... I don't know what to tell you... I drive her everyday... and never have I sat at a light thinking.. damn this thing sounds like a desil... or trying to hide the chatter...

the other flywheels I have seen are aluminium with steal segments.... most are accually made by the same company just relabled... so they will have the same chatter... heh heh...

I am not saying the exedy is better... to me it's all what YOU want... my thing is... does it hold the power/performance....

it's just what I like... it's light and holds the power... and doesn't chatter...

oh and it's purple!

 

funny... that's an exedy... but it's the wrong one.... our flywheel is thiker than that... I took pics when I installed it.. but I can't seem to find them