i am looking into getting a new clutch for my 1983 Rx7 soon, i am wanting to purchase a stage 1 kit rather than an o.e.m. clutch. i would like to spend >$250. I am having a hard time deciding what to purchase, i believe Mazdatrix sells a Exedy kit for around $260 and i was looking at a ClutchMasters kit for about $230.. i know options can be some what limited with a 1st gen. I was wondering who has what in their cars, and how they have turned out... mostly reliability over time like sliping ect. and drivability, as my RX is my daily driver although a stiffer pedal wouldnt bother me at all. any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

I have been running a centerforce II in my streetported 13B for years with very good result. Stock feeling pedal pressure and it has never slipped. I am not knowledgable about the alternatives, and I am interested it what everyone has to say........

 

it depends, if you are NA the stock clutch is great. if you go turbo then you really need a beefier pressure plate.

the puck type clutches suck on the street.

 

thank you for the quick replies guys, its just a plain jane 12a with a RB collected header, i dont plan on going with a 12a-T in the future but maybe different carb. and a streetport after i am out of school. i have a decent feeling that the clutch is original and might slightly slip under hard acceleration

 

I have been running 6 and 4 pucks in my RX-3 and FB/SA plus a dual diapram pressure plate . I like it but most of the people who have driven my RX hated it as it is like an "on and off " switch but it doesnt slip like regular clutches.

 

Has anybody ran a Sachs clutch? i think they are oem, but they say the have increased load capacity

 

I've got an ACT 6 puck sprung hub disc with a new stock pressure plate. It's a little much for the street, very grabby so the pedal takes some getting used to, but as Wacky says, it won't slip. I blew up the stock disc that came with the new pressure plate at an autocross 4 months into it's life, so I went overboard trying to make sure that didn't happen again. I plan to replace it with an aftermarket street disc eventually, but it was a nice experiment.

 

Sachs and Exedy are stock style (most stock cars get their clutches from them) and will be good quality. Often they offer mild upgrades and are usually underrated (will hold more torque than they say).

ACT, Southbend, and Clutchmasters are good quality aftermarket brands. 90% percent of "performance" clutches are just more aggressive friction material on an otherwise stock clutch, or a reinforced pressure plate if you get a better one. In my experience these three companies usually have a better pressure plate in their kits.

Spec and Centerforce are often garbage. Don't believe me? do some net browsing.

And FWIW: if it ain't OS Giken twin plate, it ain't ****!

 

I'm running a clutchmaster stage 3 segmented Kevlar clutch. Held great for a weber'd 12a and is currently holding up just fine on my current motor with track days and many irresponsible launches. Pedal feels almost like stock, the clutch is just a little "grabbier" when starting from a stop.

 

Man i love this site, thank you, i saw a Clutchmasters Stage 1 kit for >$240 that i was interested in, im debating over that or the Exedy Stage 1 from MazdaTrix

 

In the GSL-SE I currently have: Exedy stage one pressure plate, ACT street disc, RB light steel flywheel. Intended to be a daily driver with greater torque capacity than stock.

The '81 is getting an old school (red painted!): RB street strip pressure plate in 225mm (early short spring finger type), used RB HD disc, resurfaced RB aluminum flywheel.

 

+1

I've had mine for 20K+ miles and no issues at all. Very good performing and
nice working feel.

 

the OEM clutch was made by Daikin clutch, which is now Exedy.

 

I have been very happy with my RB street strip clutch.

Compared to the stock clutch in my other gslse it has a slightly heavier pedal and a much grippier engagement. The stock clutch feels like mush in comparison, basically a forgiving girly clutch....

 

Ok so I'm looking forward to installing racing beat headers on my 82 7 12a. Don't know if should install the street header or the racing header. I am currently running on a stock port but I'm planning on getting it streetported in the next year. I would really appreciate any suggestions.

 

I'm curious why you would bump a 3 year old thread to ask a question that's not even related to the thread?

 

I'm guessing it's because it's his first post.

Hey, welcome aboard!