I Hate Mazda dealer mechanics, but unfortunately my car won't run, I don't know any mechanics in the area and there aren't any RX-7 shops around.

So I had to do it.

I have a '94 (72,000miles ) and before I left for Iraq in January, I noticed that the there was a pronounced metal on metal scraping noise when the I had the clutch in and the car was idling. No problems with changing gears at all. I leave for Iraq, gone for 6 months. I get back and when I am putting it back in the garage after my first drive, I feel it pop out of gear, and it won't go back in. My first thought, "Well maybe the entire clutch won't need to be replaced. "

I had it towed into Jacksonville, NC today. They tell me $900 to replace the clutch, plus the flywheel and the head gear on the transmission will need to be looked at. Not what I wanted to hear.

Here are my questions:

1. From the symptoms, does it sound like the entire clutch went bad?

2. $928! Does that sound right? (This was a shock because I remember paying $400 to have the clucth replaced in my 86 RX-7)

3. Am I also likely to have problems with the flywheel and head of the tranmission?

What do I do? I love the car, but it is killing me.

 

I was similarly quoted about 1k to replace the clutch a while back.

 

I just brought my car to an indep shop and first they quoted me at $1200 w/ there parts. i said screw that, but i keep my car at their shop, bought my clutch from www.clutchmasters.com and brought it to the shop. Grand total was about $600 for parts and labor, much better deal and the owner was actually cool about me not wanting to use his parts.

 

My CF d/f clutch, generic 12# flywheel, shift fork replacement (no idea), & labor was $1350.

Go here:
http://www.srmotorsports.com/RX7_Mazda_Weekly.html

They always seem to have clutch/flywheel combo specials

 

You can get the clutch at rx7store.net. Choose stock or ACT depending on your performance goals. Will be about $400 for the ACT.

You might want to try the regional forums for the Southwest to try and find a good Mazda mechanic closer to you. Here is the link for ya: https://www.rx7club.com/forum/forumd...?s=&forumid=35

Overall, sounds about right though. When you change the clutch have them replace the tranny oil with Redline MTL. Get it yourself when you buy the clutch and bring it to them.

 

i paid 1800 for my clutch ....but that'a a twinplate...my stock one was only 700 for everything about 3 years ago.

 

I got a 2600 lb ACT clutch for about $500 from KD Rotary in PA. I'm not sure on labor because they put it in while re-installing the engine, so there was no additional labor charge for the clutch, but $900 is waaaay to much for a stock clutch.

 

How much torque is the stocker good for?

 

I remember someone saying about 350hp at the flywheel is the limit of our stock clutch. Not sure of the torque number but I am right there w/ 286hp and 245ft-lbs at the wheels.

 

ACT S/S $504, resurface my flywheel $22, pulling tranny, putting in clutch and reinstalling everything free but the biggest pain in my ***, Ive never seen any clutch where the throw out bearing actually locks into the pressure plate...MAZDA

 

Don't buy the stock clutch.. go with ACT.. I just bought one used.. from another forum member.. its almost new.. paid 700 for lighten flywheel and clutch.. shipped..

 

I have a receipt for $750 for a stock clutch replacement. They should automatically resurface the flywheel. I don't see how they can say the flywheel needs to be replaced before they pull it out? I was about $350hp @15lbs and the stock clutch lasted 30k mi.

On my Honda I though the bearings and flywheel went bad, so I bought a 3-puck and it turned out to be the tranny.

 

Clutch parts $400-600 depending on which one you get.
Labor $360.

While you are at it, change the the flywheel. And get a lightened FW for $360+/-. You WONT be sorry. The car will feel alot quicker!

 

act is the way to go..

 

Went to the shop today. Only the clutch needs replacing. $450 fo rthe Clutch $450 for labor.

I asked about putting a performance clutch. he told me that a due to the increased pressures required for a performance clutch, I may have more problems down the line. Any truth to that?

What would be the benefits of an ACT clutch?

 

^ If they carried a more expensive clutch, they would have sold it to you. They only wanted to sell you what they had. More HP "requires" a heavier duty clutch, thus the benefit is it does "not" burn out prematurely. You should have been charged $300-$400 for labor.

 

try exedy its oem japan if im not mistaken and from what i gather too act gets their stuff from exedy... dont quote me on that either haha

 

what kind of problems down the line would a aftermaket clutch give you?

i dont think you should run a strip clutch and stock flywheel, but a 2400 or 2800 seires or what ever it is should be ok.

i haven't had any problems

also why put the stock clutch back in?
if it breaks upgrade, not replace

 

I had an ACT s/s clutch along with stainless clutch line installed at the RX-7 store for just over $800.

-Charlie