How much power can stock clutch take?
 

If I don't plan on doing anything more than IC, mp, dp, cb, intake, and ECU over the next year, will the stock clutch be OK?

i don't think so..... ACT street stip ;)

I've got that setup with stock. Don't upgrade just for the sake of upgrading....mine has been working fine for over 15K miles (since when i bought the car, and before that). When it dies, go ACT.
~Tom

The stock clutch is actually very good. You should be fine.

Alrighty, 2 yays and 1 nay. Anybody else?

BTW, my clutch is just fine now...I'm only replacing it to get at this nasty seal that is leaking just behind the flywheel.

After ~50k miles my stock clutch was grabbing so high the car was undrivable. I went w/the ACT strip/street and 8.5# flywheel combo from Shane Racing and love it. The clutch grabs like a mother and the flywheel is a must-have mod. This past weekend in Dallas I hung with/pulled on two different FDs (both modded more than I; one w/midpipe and one w/high flow cat) at highway speeds. I either have a strong motor, or the flywheel makes a big difference. You can definitely feel the car rev quicker in first through third gears. I also haven't seen any bad effects at the drag strip.

To answer your question, not sure of how much it can handle. I wouldn't replace your clutch unless it needs it, but then go w/the combo I had installed-

If you already have the clutch out then I would consider upgrading. It even sounds like you are going to replace it one way or the other in which case there really isn't a reason to buy a new stock clutch. Get an ACT.
cvs

its good for around 300rwhp and you'll be right there at the limit. I have the same mods with the stock clutch and drag race. If you race your going to kill it pretty fast. If you dont drag race it will probably last a while.

It cant take the abuse that your power will put to it with a 3-4K rpm launch. It will start slipping about about 3 runs and you'll have to let it sit for a while to cool off. I've actually had mine smoke bad enough that I thought it was my tires.

Anyway, I've just put in an aftermarket clutch and it works wonders!!!!

Later,
STEPHEN

I don't want the stock clutch but Mazda won't install anything other than Mazda parts and with there being an utter lack of ANY rotary shop around at all....

The Haun/Baldwin Rotary shop will be opening in about 3 weeks.

We can do anything from motors/cluctches/oil changes all in my very own home.

:)

1. You're a lucky bastard. :)

2. If you and Art are willing to help me, I'll pay you guys whatever I would pay a transmission shop for the labor. I insist on at least that much...

I asked the same question when I changed to my aluminum flywheel. Racing Beat told me that the stock clutch was good for 400 hp. My car is not highly modified so I cannot confirm. I was looking for gradual engagement since I was losing momentum with the new flywheel. It's worked fine for the last year.

I could be wrong, but my understanding is transmission/clutch work on a rotary is no different from a rear wheel driven pistion engine. Is there another local shop that could/would do it?

My stock clutch (30k miles) would slip under 14lbs in third gear WOT.

When I took the clutch out (blew my motor) it looked new!

Mods that make car faster:

PFS PMC
Intake
DP. MP (silencer)
Apex N1 Dual
M2 SMIC
Greddy Pulley kit

Going to replace it with ACT strip/street sitting in the garage.

Mike