Stephen C

Symptoms:
1.) The clutch sometimes engages when heavier throttle is applied; RPM's rise but no power to the wheels.

2.) The clutch remains engaged after a stop; RPM's rise but the car doesn't gain momentum correctly and burning-clutch smell is recognized.



Questions:
1.) Can anyone identify this problem?

2.) Will I require a new clutch, or could it just be a loose cable?

3.) If a new clutch is recommended, what type of clutch would you suggest and is there a particular manufacturer/retailer that you favor? (my engine is mostly stock and I do not race, but may consider a performance clutch if the price is right; my main goal is just to make the car driveable.)

blue94FD

iTrader: (1)

sounds like its time for a new clutch

fddrag

i think your clutch is hanging, i would highly recomend changing your thowout bearing and the cluth pressure plate combo. i have a bonez, street-comp, clutch form rotary performace (rx7.com). i like it a lot. it engages hard and will support over 500 hp.
do you still have the stock clutch system in the car??????

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

Remember when you forced the clutch loose? That probably damaged the wire ring and wedge collar, so the should be replaced.

Dave

burnoutking999

I too have clutch problems... if i accelerate hard shifting into third it will rev bog and BURN the clutch... sometimes. In addition to that i have a good deal of chatter when trying to shift anything above or below regular driving(slipping it a little to be easy. Also the throwout bearing is loud and i think it wasnt replaced when the guy replaced the clutch or it was not a quality one. its a stock mazda clutch.

do stock clutches suck this bad or was it just a bad install? i want to upgrade anyways but i was going to let it ride till nessacary although now i think i will have to go a little quicker since the bearing got a little louder. besides the bonez, what are some good brands that retain streetability but can handle 400-500 rwhp?

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

The stock clutch can be kinda crappy, but mostly because of wear. When installed properly, it's quite smooth and easy to drive. I suspect your clutch may have poor hydraulics, damaged throwout bearing, or maybe the flywheel wasn't resurfaced.

When you get over 400HP the streetability factor goes way down. Of course, if you're a flatlander who never drives in traffic or bad weather, your definition of streetability can vary a good bit.

Given the cost of going from, say, 300 to 400HP, I wouldn't worry about handling more torque than a 400HP setup until you get there. Something like an ACT Heavy Duty might be the thing. Some searching should yield good recommendations.

Dave

burnoutking999

thats what i noticed... a big jump in price for say the exedy and the ACT etc. i just wondered what people have experienced with theirs in a daily kind of car and what annoying things were noticed. thanks!

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

just search for it. Something like "act torque streetable" should get a bunch of hits.

Houdini

iTrader: (3)

FD has hydralic cluthc, no cable. I had a similar problem, the clutch pedal wouldn't release. I changed the slave cylinder with no luck. Changed the master cylinder...BINGO! Could be actual problem with the clutch, like bad throw-out like someone mentioned.

Stephen C

Thanks for the help, everyone. I really appreciate it.



So I guess I'm gonna have to buy a new clutch. Where's the best place to buy a clutch for a '93 RX-7? I was just searching Ebay and found a couple for under $200.00 USD that I was thinking of purchasing. Should I buy one of those, or look elsewhere?

[edit] I was thinking about buying this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/EXEDY...spagenameZWD1V

Also, how can I tell if I even need a new clutch, and if the problem isn't due to bad hydraulics/ throwout-bearing/ slave-cylinder/ master-cylinder/ pressure-plate/ etc. as some of you guys mentioned? Is it something that I can do with online instruction or should I take my car to the Mazda dealership tomorrow? (I got a friend up there that is a Mazda-certified technician).



Thanks again for the help; you guys rule!!!

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

If you have a hookup at the Mazda dealer, I'd say take it there.

While I have no idea what your friend's training is, *most* Mazda dealers have tremendous trouble efficiently solving RX-7 problems. The clutch and transmission though is pretty standard stuff, so this may be a good time to use them.

I suppose you could buy a new clutch, but since it could be a hydraulic, clutch, clutch fork, or wire ring/wedge collar problem, I would probably wait. It should be relatively straightforward to figure out which of them is at fault and not replace all of them.

For a nearly stock car, Exedy clutches are a good component. I see in the pic that there is a new wedge collar on the pressure plate - I ask if there is a new wedge collar and wire ring included. If there is, those are the parts you may have damaged when separating it last time.

Dave