Clutch Reviews/Suggestions
 

I am in the market for a new clutch/flywheel combo... I just has a fidanza flywheel for 1 week that had to come out due to some unforeseen circumstances... And I have a credit for a flywheel plus install...

I am going to be upgrading the CSC and adding a clutch at the same time to save on labor... Reading around I have seen a few threads on clutches but no one thread that really goes into pros/cons of one clutch vs anohter...

Southbend, Jim Wolf Tech, Competition Clutch, ACT, Clutchmasters all having clutches, and the holy grail OS Giken (not in my budget at the moment) are all available choices... anyone with any reviews or suggestions would be apreciated..

I loved the performance aspect of my fidanza flywheel and very well may go with it again, but it did chatter quite a bit... RCZ has had both the fidanza and competition clutch flywheel and he says the competition flywheel is quieter and only 3 lbs heavier. (15lbs vs 18lbs)... I will most likely go with one of those two, but the clutch I am very confused about...

My car will stay NA but is driven hard and will see 1/4 track time as well as some real track time in the future...

Any help is appreciated and +rep for all that respond!

Thanks!

dont everyone asnwer at once now... lmao... I guess I am on my own with this one

What's holding you back from just replacing with an OEM clutch? I had a JWT flywheel installed a few months ago, installed a new clutch for good measure. I went with OEM clutch for a few reasons. The main reason was I didn't want to stress the CSC. My stock clutch held up to 26k miles, 100+ track passes. You can ask Jnaut, it looked fine when it he took it out of my car, just some wear on the clutch disk. It probably wouldn't have lasted another 26k miles, or 100 track passes but it wasn't exactly trashed.

OEM clutch worked fine for me. That's my 2 cents.

According to my readings on this forum, there are some issues with clutch/flywheel upgrade. Maybe RCZ and others can chime in and correct me.

1. CSC Failure: Stock plastic CSC needs to replaced with metal CSC. Currently no one knows whether metal CSC solves the CSC failure or not because it takes time to test it. But in principle and theory it should solve the problem.

2. Master Cylinder Fail: Apparently stock master cylinder sucks too. There are currently no replacement for it. So the best thing to do is replace new stock master cylinder. Apparently it will last you 30k+ miles?

3. Flywheel springs: Some flywheels springs are not match to 370z since they are made for 350z. I still dont exactly understand the details of this issue. RCZ had problems with the Fidanza flywheel and southbend clutch. So I would say be extremely cautious with what flywheel you choose?

Feel free to tell me I am wrong and I hope that I am wrong because my clutch is about die soon. I was looking for a new clutch but now looks like upgrading clutch will open a can of worms.

I have a jwt clutch and flywheel . I also have the z speed metal csc.. My master cylinder is starting to fail at 32,000 miles. Hopefully I can get it replaced under warranty..

I am really not a fan of the stock clutch in this car... its too soft, mushy, and not very aggressive at all...

I can leave it stock but if I am not paying any labor I might as well upgrade it when its open... but I do have a brand new clutch and OEM flywheel in there...

The fidanza flywheel def , to me, improved the driving feeling substantially . Now that its out I can def tell, and I miss it already.. the chatter with fidanza is def noticeable but I couldn't care less about that. But many would I am sure.

I have the Fidanze 15lb flywheel and ACT 6puck, which is too extreme for your needs. I'd look into a stage 1 or stage 2 clutch. Usually the stage 3/4 clutches start getting into the puck range. I know a popular choice was the Exedy stage 1 kit among the G35/350Z guys who stayed NA.

I too am looking to possibly upgrade because whoever owned my car last definitely wore out the clutch. Shifting above 5k slips for sure. I don't know whether to upgrade or go with OEM, I'm also trying to do all of this for relatively cheap. Can anything be done under warranty? I also plan on taking it to the track a few times, not 100. Maybe 25-30. I also plan to stay relatively stock, bolt-ons being the most. Should I get a stage 1 or stay with OEM? And the warranty thing because its at 20k?

I have a Southbend stg.4 + dxd steel flywheel + hd csc for sale (still boxed) for those that are interested, just PM me

Stage 4? Are you running a bi-turbo setup? Sheesh! I've driven a stage 4 before good lord that is totally ridiculous. You get like an inch of clutch engagement.

You should be able to get your Clutch covered under warranty if you bought it recently and it is slipping ...

I bought it used @ 16k miles. It is now 20k.

You should def be able to have it covered.

As for me getting a clutch my shop has a Jim wolf clutch fkywheel combo that I can have for $200 or I can keep stock clutch and get the fidanza.

If I get the jwt I'd get the upgraded csc , I'll Prob keep oem for now and replace next time around.

Really only 200 bucks? Dude thats a good deal I saw it going for 775.

no they wont replace the clutch under warranty......

Hey guys,

I have a bunch of mods that I will be doing and I talked to the shop that is doing my tune and they are saying they would prefer to do the tune before I do the clutch. They are saying the clutch needs a 500 mile break in. Anybody got any experience with this?

Hey guys,

I have a bunch of mods that I will be doing and I talked to the shop that is doing my tune and they are saying they would prefer to do the tune before I do the clutch. They are saying the clutch needs a 500 mile break in. Anybody got any experience with this?

It's 200 because they owe me a fidanza flywheel.

Clutch will not effect the tune so that's fine. Get the tune than clutch.

Sorry I am not explaining myself. I plan on getting the JWT Clutch and Flywheel combo. Would the performance of the new Flywheel affect the tune? If so that is why I will probably have my girlfriend put the miles on the clutch before the tune.

is an upgraded clutch more necessary on the 6 speeds?

i definitley want to put either the jwt flywheel or Comp Clutch Flywheel in my 7at, however i'm torn on whether i should upgrade the clutch/csc

Well anytime you are adding more ponies to your car a new clutch is something to consider especially if your going F/I. The man reason for me is I am already doing the upgrade for the flywheel to squeeze out some extra hp so while I am at it I will have the clutch swapped out. It is one of those things do both while you got the damn thing out ya know.

My 2c.

- you can get a few thousand miles from stock clutch on an FI car, but make no mistake, it will eventually break or toast.

- CSC has to be upgraded to the metal one, it WILL fail eventually.

- Master also sucks and will most LIKELY have to be replaced at some point.

- Southbend Stage 4 is not a harsh clutch, its actually quite streetable. The problem that I have with mine is that I bought mine when they were still kinda testing whether it worked on 370Z or not. Well on the 350z they have something called a marcel spring in between the pp and the disc. That wavy spring allows for a smooth engagement and is great, however the throw on the 370z clutch is shorter than 350z so the marcel isnt disengaging properly when it should. So im essentially switching gears with a partially engaged clutch. Its not breaking anything, but its quite annoying. Which flywheel you use makes no difference on this.

- If you are using a fidanza, make sure you loctite the hell out of the bolts. It is a bit louder, but it also revs quite fast. Comp Clutch fw is quieter, but it doesn't rev as quickly.

- Clutches do like a break in period before you start slamming gears.

Chuck, you don't need a crazy *** clutch, you need something that will hold aggressive driving. PM Jnaut, he has a clutch sitting around that would be great for you. Its brand new and more than enough for your application.

You have a 7 AT a clutch that is designed for a 6 speed car wont work on your car.

Two totally different transmission's.

Hey RCZ,

Just a quick question if you don't mind but in this thread
http://www.the370z.com/drivetrain-en...-shipping.html
Does this give me everything I need for the swap? Also is 500 miles a good break in period?

correct, however i just asked if adding those flywheels (both of which should work with a 7at) would result in me needing an upgraded clutch (7at clutch).

Im staying N.A., just trying to gauge costs...

Yes, make sure you get the metal csc too. Just call CZP, ask for Coz. FYI, I have a JWT/Fidanza fw for sale in the classifieds... might save you a little money.

Do you know if the one in the link is made of metal? The revised nissan csc?

Do you know if the one in the link is made of metal? The revised nissan csc?

man you got me lost.... you have an automatic, no? you need to be concerned with torque convertors and the like....:confused: or maybe my new stuff is better than i thought.wink wink.:tup:

No, the revised nissan one is just the latest one from Nissan. You want the expensive one offered below it...

Ya they just told me that, I don't want it b/c of the price but I guess I don't have a choice. :shakes head:

Gotta open this thread back up. Anybody with upgraded clutch and flywheel combos chime in and don't forget to talk about the csc.

and mention master cylinder replacement too!

no aftermarket one as of yet

bump

I have to tell you that I will be following this thread. The stock clutch is probably the worst clutch I have had in any sports car. It will take zero abuse without glazing over and takes forever to recover. The stock clutch in my TT was much better. The RPS Street/Sport I have in there now holds 16 psi without as much as a whimper.

When I am ready, I will probably call Seb and see what they think about this clutch...provided I am not doing the clutch with a TT install :)

SpecialtyZ Link

I am putting in my order right now with CPZ for everything they have on their thread. Did you get the upgraded csc? I would assume you did.

V8 Killer, why are you going with that setup? Just because it's all offered there on a thread? If you want help getting a better customized setup that works well together, let me know, I'd be happy to help.

chuck, i personally have a fidanza flywheel and a clutchmasters clutch all with stock csc. As of right now no issue with the csc but everybody know thats just a matter of time before the metal one goes in. I dont hear to much about people running clutchmasters clutch in these cars but i have used them in the past with zero issues. Like RCZ i am switching to competition clutch steel f/w for a little less input shaft rattle also at the same time im replacing the csc for good measure.

I can suggest my clutch as we all know i am very hard on it with zero issues to date. I do have one forsale at my shop , its brand new in the box also i am dealer for the metal csc so i can help you there alwell. Its a high clamp load plate with a street disc, as this is very good for aggressive street drive and drag racing.

I have installed a few southbend clutchs for customers, quality seems to be very good but i dont like there inability to stand behind there product fully.

Personally the stock clutch in my car took quite a beating before failing, yes the pedal effort is too light but overall a good clutch nontheless.


sometimes its kinda boring here as most just follow the herd when making performance purchases.

what are you talking about??? you really need to do some reading before to speak.