F1 Clutches.

[miatasaint]

Okay..i ordered a stage 3 HD six puck sprung clutch online with Pressure plate as well. So, my 'little project' that is this thread, will pretty much be a journal for the mileage on the kit, as well as my own personal review. I have been researching these products for quite a few weeks now, varying in stages, quality, cars, power ratings by dyno, etc via car forums such as ours. Anything from a stock 1990 civic, to miata, to s14 silvia holding 18lbs, etc. From what ive gathered, it seems the stage 3 is definitely the way to go. The stage two tends to slip real easy over a short period of time, it being kevlar and whatnot. Stage 3 is ceramic. So, in a couple weeks when i get this baby installed, every few hundred miles or so ill post up here, if its fantastic, decent, acts weird, piece of shyt, or my trans blew up and caught fire. I will let you all know.

[gokartstig]

Got mine installed, (power level in my signature) I have about 500 miles on it, and it grabs AMAZINGGGG! Constant abuse, 3500 RPM launches, building 2psi with 2 step. Highway pulls and all holds good.

Stock pedal feel, and this is coming from a previous ACT HDSS owner.

[miatasaint]

Thanks for the review! I figured if anyone here has ended up trying these, also post up what your experience was like.

[wildfire0310]

I had one, and the pressure plate won't release, so I had to pull the transmission back out, installed the stock PP with the new disk. Work fine for a while, but then start to chattered like a mad man. About a month or so later, clutch just "blew" out on my way home from work. Won't grab or anything.

I have heard a few people talk about how good they worked and such, and maybe I was just one of the few that got a bad batch, but they have burnt me on them for life.

[FE3tMX5]

I think the risk you run with the F1 is QC. Word is that clutchnet makes them and they've got the same rep. That said, I have a clutchnet 6 puck sprung hub and it's kickass.

[miatasaint]

QC?

[miata5620]

QC?

I believe its quality control

[FE3tMX5]

Yes- why you see a mix of success and fail, hit or miss. Does your disc look like this clutchnet?
http://www.fe3miata.com/site/wp-content/images/FE3v1-gallery/images/clutchnet2-1.jpg

[Animus21]

The weak point in the F1 stage3 clutch is the pressure plate which has about as much clamping force as the exedy stock replacement. From what I have gathered peeping in on discussions at MT.net, This clutch could hold way more power if used with a meaner one.

[miatasaint]

Luckily, i have an ACT stage one PP. Might throw that in instead. Not too much of a loss, i paid 150.

[miatasaint]

Alright, update. Being installed, ZERO problems, fitment is perfect. Done by me and a master tech on a rotary lift here at Nissan. Putting back together now.

[miatasaint]

Just drove the car. Grabs hard as sh!t, no slip. Definitely an ON/OFF clutch. Im not used to the flywheel, thats for sure. There is chatter. From readings on m.net, newer better mounts can help with chatter.

[Shortround]

Sweet

[FE3tMX5]

Mine had chatter that eventually went away after the break-in. Still not a clutch that likes slipping though.

[miatasaint]

Mine had chatter that eventually went away after the break-in. Still not a clutch that likes slipping though.

Agreed. I personally love it...

Ok, put about 75 miles on..grabs hard as hell, stalled out twice yesterday, (still getting used to it), pedal pressure is slightly firmer than stock. Now, i put a 7.5lb fidanza flywheel in, I dont recognize any difference whatsoever besides revving faster. No difference in gear, so im a little disappointed at that. Truly an on/off clutch. No clutch chatter. I have an exhuast leak thats pretty loud so we will see about chatter thats recognizable after that is fixed.

[miatasaint]

Hit 115 miles today on the way to work. Everything is still like new...im not as careful with it as i was when it was first new, everything is running great. Wish it had slightly more pressure on the pedal though...about the same as stock still.

[metalman]

I am not a fan of puck clutches in a street car at all.
To each his own I guess.

[miatasaint]

Doesnt bother me much.

[miatasaint]

#update

Cars still running great. Hit 270 miles today. Running better and better every day.

[miatasaint]

580 miles on it...still fantastic.

[miatasaint]

850 miles. Golden.

[FE3tMX5]

in for 6800rpm clutch drop burn out ;)

[Mazdababy]

I have an XTR (or XTD?) stage two clutch, stage 1 pressure plate with 11 lbs flywheel. I did the proper break-in and it's been over 10,000 miles with no issues. Before I started making my car nice I ran a drift event clutch kicking the **** out of it. Spins 2nd everytime I want it to. I payed $330 shipped for the whole combo.

[miatasaint]

I believe its XTD...either way, the only REAL complaints i read on reviews for these clutches was on Honda forums.....like, Civics. Preludes. CRX. etc....no wonder there were problems...

[Mazdababy]

Probably did no break in period, used no alignment tool, no torque wrench, didn't resurface their flywheel, and launch from 8k at every red light.

No wonder :lol:

[miatasaint]

Exactly! I did all of the above. Lol :D

[miatasaint]

965 miles today! In a few hundred miles itll be worth the money. We will see how far it goes! After I hit about 1500-2000 miles, Ill chill out a bit on this thread, but not completely, because i know you guys are probably getting sick of it..either way, mods, please dont delete this. For people like myself, I researched every possible forum for a step by step review on this clutch, and let me tell you, there are not many. Thanks for reading! Everyone, I hope this thread really helped out, and maybe my experiences will help you make a budget purchase, if you need one.

Now, I personally dont know how it will hold up with </=10lbs of boost through turbo, but we will find out hopefully by yours truly in a couple months.

[miatasaint]

2000 miles. Im done with updating this thread, but if anyone has any questions feel free to contact me:)