Need clutch. Main concern is pedal feel.

Discussion in 'Mazdaspeed 3 Transmission/Drivetrain' started by stockms3, Sep 12, 2018.

Watchers:
11 users.
  1. stockms3

    stockms3 Greenie Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2017
    Posts:
    26
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Schaumburg, IL
    Ratings:
    +14 / -0
    I have researched different clutches, read different threads. However, my main concern is pedal feel. I need it to be as close to stock as possible. Before you call me a pussy I have a connective tissue disorder and my tendons often hurt (it is quite shitty).


    My car is built, running CS turbo @ 23psi and LUK/Fidanza combo is slipping.

    Anyway, what I have learned so far:

    ACT 6 puck - most popular option, apparently ACT recently reduced the required force to press the clutch pedal but still harder than stock.

    SPEC stage 3+ - a guy that reviewed the clutch on Edge is claiming that it is lighter than stock and it would be sufficient even if I add meth to my setup. This is why I am leaning towards this clutch. However, I did read bad things about it on several forums.
    Southbend - i have read different threads about different stages but all I heard was that it is quite heavier than the stock clutch.


    Anyone want to chime in and talk about their setup? Maybe someone with a SPEC clutch?
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2018
    • Like Like x 1
  2. Mauro_Penguin

    Mauro_Penguin Punk in Drublic. #BlackLivesMatter Motorhead Platinum Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2016
    Posts:
    1,334
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Palm Beach County, FL
    Ratings:
    +1,671 / -2
    Mauro_Penguin, via a mobile device, Sep 12, 2018
    #2
    • Like Like x 1
  3. Raider

    Raider Administraider Administrator Platinum Member

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2016
    Posts:
    7,045
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Behind a Keyboard wearing full body armor
    Ratings:
    +8,148 / -12
    Luk dual mass and Luk clutch would be my pick. That is next thing going in. When I can throw down $

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
     
    Raider, via a mobile device, Sep 12, 2018
    #3
  4. stockms3

    stockms3 Greenie Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2017
    Posts:
    26
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Schaumburg, IL
    Ratings:
    +14 / -0
    My luk/fidanza has been slipping on k04+e85 and now on CS + 93. I have read that for some it holds for others it does not.

    I guess I could just lower boost but that's no fun.
     
    stockms3, via a mobile device, Sep 12, 2018
    #4
  5. Db09ms3

    Db09ms3 Silver Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2017
    Posts:
    456
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    AZ
    Ratings:
    +457 / -1
    Since we are on the topic, I've often wondered the holding capacity of the LuK DM FW/Clutch combo. Carry on.
     
  6. gotovato

    gotovato Silver Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    Posts:
    1,303
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Mississauga, Ontario
    Ratings:
    +1,565 / -0
    I can speak about the ACT 6 puck. i dont think pedal effort increased much at all, but it is extremely grabby. if you drive in alot of stop and go traffic i would not recommend it. i love it on the track though
     
  7. John

    John Full Fledged Member Greenie Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2016
    Posts:
    593
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Detroit, MI
    Ratings:
    +543 / -3
    You're in IL.... come to Midwest and you could feel different clutch setups. I'll be there with my SB stage2 endurance. I will say that it felt a lot harder than stock at first but I don't perceive it as hard now. I think it's a bit of it loosening up and me getting used to it.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  8. Solarsurge

    Solarsurge Greenie Member

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2018
    Posts:
    294
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Richmond, VA
    Ratings:
    +350 / -2
    I got the SB S3 Endurance installed and it's like a 100 lb pedal that I have to mash all the way to the floor just to get it to release. It's REAL springy and REAL low. It also grabs literally the second you start to lift your foot. I don't know if it stays like this or if it just has to break in, but this sucker is literally the complete polar opposite of stock pedal feel and I could never recommend it for someone with your type of condition...at least when it's brand new.
     
  9. Youngwonder

    Youngwonder Greenie Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2016
    Posts:
    54
    Trophy Points:
    18
    Location:
    Richmond, Va
    Ratings:
    +37 / -0
    I have SB S2 and it is pretty heavy pushing down the clutch but spring back strong. For your condition you probably don't want the SB.
     
  10. stockms3

    stockms3 Greenie Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2017
    Posts:
    26
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Schaumburg, IL
    Ratings:
    +14 / -0
    I would love to come out but I'm in a middle of complete remodel of a house. I don't think I could make it.

    But I think I can disqualify SB, by looking at the posts lol.
     
  11. Flyhigh

    Flyhigh Greenie Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2017
    Posts:
    213
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Fayetteville, NC
    Ratings:
    +153 / -0
    My SB S3 is very well broken in and is still super springy and grabs right off the floor. Love it, but as others said, might not be for you.
     
  12. 5doorsoffury

    5doorsoffury Silver Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2016
    Posts:
    203
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    ny
    Ratings:
    +243 / -9
    Clamping force holds the clutch together. when you push the pedal you must overcome that clamping force to disengage the clutch period!
    The more clamping force the more pedal effort. Southbend stage 3 end is a bitch. A lot of people downplayed how bad the pedal would be so i went with it and i had a WTF face the first time i drove it. That car never sees traffic and i have gotten used to it. It holds the power but after a month of that clutch It took me a while to get used to my wifes car that has a pillow for a clutch pedal. i almost put my foot thru the floor and couldn't lift it up since i was so used to putting a lot of force on the clutch pedal. it was funny as well as a realization to how bad it was.

    If you want a better clutch but something close to stock i would have to say a southbend stage 2 daily would be my pick. Call them and ask how much power it can hold.
     
  13. John

    John Full Fledged Member Greenie Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2016
    Posts:
    593
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Detroit, MI
    Ratings:
    +543 / -3
    SB stage 2 all have the same spring, just the friction material is different. The daily is both sides organic and the Endurance is one side organic one side kevlar (IIRC). And he already decided against SB whether stage 2 or 3 based on descriptions.

    His problem is he is looking for a 450 ft-lb clutch but he has a 250 ft-lb leg. SB has stated the clutches are underrated, but still, the stage 2 daily is 350 ft-lbs, stage 2 endurance 400 ft-lbs, stage 3 daily 430 ft-lbs, stage 3 endurance 500 ft-lbs. The stage 3 endurance is really where he should be looking, but we've rightly scared him off of that.

    I'd say you need to have somebody who has a lot of experience with different clutches offer suggestions. Maybe a tuner? Will at PD, Justin at Freek, Rob at Hypnotic, these hardcore gentlemen have probably felt more clutches than anyone what with dyno tuning tons of speeds. Perhaps you should try sending them all a message asking this question.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  14. Solarsurge

    Solarsurge Greenie Member

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2018
    Posts:
    294
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Richmond, VA
    Ratings:
    +350 / -2
    That settles it. Time for a bionic leg.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    Solarsurge, via a mobile device, Sep 24, 2018
    #14
    • Like Like x 2
  15. John

    John Full Fledged Member Greenie Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2016
    Posts:
    593
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Detroit, MI
    Ratings:
    +543 / -3
    I agree, in actual fact this would be a perfect application for a powered exoskeleton.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  16. VashEXE

    VashEXE ButtStallion Tuned Greenie Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2016
    Posts:
    436
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    a
    Ratings:
    +731 / -3
    Just had this conversation with @SpeedSolutions and he said he's tried many clutches. Recommended the new ACT 6puck with Streetlite flywheel. Rated for the right amount of power, but also has pretty similar pedal feel he says. I'll be able to speak to this next week after I get it installed, but Chris has driven a lot of different speeds, so I'm taking his word on it. Also, like $500 cheaper than the SB, so that's a bonus.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  17. stockms3

    stockms3 Greenie Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2017
    Posts:
    26
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Schaumburg, IL
    Ratings:
    +14 / -0
    Did they mention SPEC at all? I definitely won't be getting the SB as I still want to enjoy driving the car. Let me know how ACT compares to stock. Considering I will be getting a nice daily I could have something a bit heavier, therefore, ACT is definitely an option.
     
  18. Solarsurge

    Solarsurge Greenie Member

    Joined:
    Jun 9, 2018
    Posts:
    294
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Richmond, VA
    Ratings:
    +350 / -2
    I considered SPEC Stage 3+ because they have a decent reputation, but they are just not rated for the torque that SB or ACT are on our cars, and it's most likely related to the lighter flywheels that come with SB & ACT. I have heard great things about the ACT clutches, but I still went with SB simply because I liked their flywheel better and I wanted kevlar for smoother engagement to limit wheelspin. The added longevity is just a bonus.
     
  19. gotovato

    gotovato Silver Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    Posts:
    1,303
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Mississauga, Ontario
    Ratings:
    +1,565 / -0
    the ACT is a solid clutch. I dont daily my car anymore due to the constant stop and go i drive in everyday to and from work, but i drive the car on weekends, and used to daily it with the 6 puck. If your daily commute isnt constant stop and go youll be ok with the ACT. Its not overly heavy at all, but it grabs aggressively. Very quickly, not exactly on and off switch but if you arent paying any attention itll surprise you. that is until you really really get used to it
     
  20. stockms3

    stockms3 Greenie Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2017
    Posts:
    26
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Location:
    Schaumburg, IL
    Ratings:
    +14 / -0
    Unfortunately, my commute consists of sitting in traffic.

    SPEC Stage3+ should be sufficient for my power goals. I should not exceed 400 tq.
     
Loading...

Share This Page

Users Viewing Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 0)