nathan chartrand

iTrader: (-1)

I dont know how to make new threads, but i just got an 05 rx8 with 50k. All recalls have been taken car of at 47k, and the clutch was replaced at the same time. Well ky new clutch already blew out. Im not sure wether to go with another stock clutch or go with a stage 1, stage 2, or stage 3?

I dont plan on any big power mods any time soon, so my torque will remain pretty close to stock. Though i do usually shift between 7.5 to 9.5k rpm and like to shift fast. I also like to take off as quick as it will allow me from the line. So with a that being said can i please get some feedback on which clutch would be the best for me? I also have a wife who knows how to drive manual but is farely new to them and mildly rough on the clutch as well. What stage would put up with being rode the hardest and last the longest while giving me the smoothest shifts and higher rpm?

nathan chartrand

iTrader: (-1)

Im new here so Please excuse my ignorance to posting.

I recently bought an 05 rx8 with manual transmission
Clutch only had 3,000 miles but already blew out. Now its in the shop ready for a jew clutch, im just not sure what stage of clutch to use or if i should go with another stock replacement.

I like to shift quick at higher rpm's almost always. I also like to take off from a standpoint as fast as safely possible often. My wife also drives the rx8 and is fairly new to driving so is still a little rough with the clutch. She rides it a bit.

So with that being said what clutch will last the longest with being mildly rode and will support the most high rpm fast shifts smoothly? Should i go with a stage 1, stage 2, or stage 3? I dont have a lot of money to spend. My car is also pretty close to stock and will remain that way for a while. I found a decent stage 3 clutch for only $147. Brand if f1. Anyone used this brand?

My car is in the shop ready for the new clutch now and i have to make the decision by morning.

Thank you all for your feedback, it is greatly apreciated.

godesshunter

Hi and welcome!

First off. Check out these two threads below. They are absolute must reads. They are both pretty long but well worth it. Do that before posting any more or starting any new threads. Pay special attention the section about how to search the forum.

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...t-here-202454/
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discuss...rx-8-a-233937/


Edit: Just looked in the modding thread and noticed theres nothing about clutches...interesting. Heres a few links to check out.

https://www.rx8club.com/aftermarket-...rweigh-195412/

https://www.rx8club.com/aftermarket-...eel-me-234026/

https://www.rx8club.com/tech-garage-...clutch-209323/

bse50

Make sure it isn't the clutch pedal.
Exedy stage 1 is the clutch to buy.

nathan chartrand

iTrader: (-1)

It def. Isnt the clutch pedal. The master cylinder seals went bad and that destroyed the clutch itself. They took off the starter and stuck a small mirror with a flashlight in the hole and you can see its toast. I was sent home with a decent bag of chunks from my pressure plate ):

i was ready for the issues that regurlarly come with the renesis but not this (at least not yet, lol)

Still, im very happy with my car and cant wait to get it back. But i only have $150 left after the shops labor fees and dont even come close to being able to afford an exedy clutch. So for now i found the stage 3 f1 clutch. Im just not sure if ill be safer going with the stock or the f1?

bse50

stock one.
Transmissions are expensive to replace\rebuild and a stage 3 clutch is harsher on them than a softer one... oh, it's also completely unnecessary. An exedy stage 1 clutch can actually turn out to be way cheaper than a stock one.

nathan chartrand

iTrader: (-1)

I promise if i could come up with the extra $100 rite now id def. Go with exedy. I just have no way of coming up with it. This has completely broke me, comin in at over a grand without the clutch kit.

The stock replacement i will be getting in this case will be the same one that only lasted 3k in my car.

If the oe replacement is going to be easier on my transmission and my pocket then ill def. Go that route. I just figured the race clutch would be easier on it the way i shift considering it would go in to gear easier and smoother at high rpm. But i have a bad knee anyways so stock would be easier for me. I just know i loved my stage two in my integra, but it also had a bit more low end torque to work with the clutch and it was also an exedy.



Thank you for your feedback, it is greatly apreciated.

bse50

The stage 1 exedy is basically a stock clutch, only a tad more resistant.
My first clutch lasted 11k miles because my pedal was flexing and it didn't disengage properly. That led to my first transmission failure as well, same distance.
After welding\reinforcing the pedal (screw useless brackets) I bought a new transmission and an exedy stage 1 clutch... let's just say that the car is now a dedicated track car and I kept that clutch with no problems

Don't waste your money on subpar products, if you want to save money contact Mazmart instead and see what price they can do on a new or barely used OE clutch.
Hope this helps!

nathan chartrand

iTrader: (-1)

I have $140 for a clutch. The longer i wait the less i will have and my car is at the shop apart with the old clutch out. If i wait to get a decent clutch i will be without a car for months and without a job very soon. So the only thing i really can do is get an oe replacement by f1 to get me through for a few months so i can at least have a way to work to save up the $500 for an exedy. I also tried mazmart just now ans they only have a new clutch for $500.

With that being said, will i hurt my transmission using this oe replacement? The clutch that was in it was $90 from aimco and only lasted 3,000 miles. It is under warranty and they said they will replace the parts damaged, but if it only lasted 3k id much rather go with something else. I wish more than anything i could at least afford a decent oe replacement. But im already well over $1,000 owed to the shop and havent even ordered a clutch yet. Most of that $1,000 is borrowed money.

I just have the $140 and desperately need my car back. Are theyre any other option with such a low amount of cash to get me going safely?

nathan chartrand

iTrader: (-1)

In tue first place my plans with the $1,000 were to get a stage one exedy and them the labor and that would put me just at $1,000. then the shop told me i didnt need a new clutch just a new master and slave cylinder. So tyey replaced that and billed me $562, another $65 for the towing, and $450 for the labor to replace the clutch and rear main seal now that theyre telling me i do need a new clutch.

I absolutely dread using cheap parts even on things not so crucial, but at this point i feel cornered and not only need my car back but desperately miss it. I actually feel as though im having withdrawals from my car wich make it even harder to out the crappy clutch in.

I miss my car ): ive only had it a week but i fell in love with it. A love that i never had for any of my boosted hondas or my old corvette or my zx7r ninja. Its an absolutely perfect car. At this point i just want it back lol. If i had another car to get me through i would just have it towed bacl to sit in ky garage so i can save up for the exedy, but unfortunately i sold all of my cars to get this one (:

bse50

Sell the rx8, if you can't afford this little inconvenience you'll be in a deep sea of **** the moment the engine goes pop.

nathan chartrand

iTrader: (-1)

Its not so much as not being able to cover it. Just that it happened 3 days after i let all my money go in to it. Ive only had the car a week, so havent had a chance to get back up on my feet from purchasing it. plus the motor only has 3k on it, and its pretty healthy with another 50k left on warranty i should be ok on that. I also plan on gettin a spare car for times like this. But, rite now im just having a little trouble overcoming this mild speedbump and will get an extra motor to keep on hand well before the warranty is up. I can also afford the maintenence on this. Its not to bad.

LifeAfterRx8

iTrader: (17)

Stay away from F1. They don't last, they're just cheap replacements.

ACT or Exedy.

nathan chartrand

iTrader: (-1)

Tbank you everyone for the feedback. And thank you tons (lifeafterrx8) i cant thank you enough for how much heartache i know you just saved me from. I was very nervous about the f1 clutch. Thanks to you i can get the stage 1 exedy wich i originally planned.