So I'm in the final stages of the rebuild process, the engine's at the local shop and is ready to be put in. My relevant mods will be 3mm, intake, mild streetport, DP, RB CB, 99 spec twins, Fluidyne rad, and a Pettit ECU controlling everything. I also have a manual boost controller (will set to 11-12 psi after the engine's broken-in).

So after taking things apart, the mechanic advised me that my stock clutch has about 30% life left, and he recommends a new clutch. The ones they sell are the Centerforce Dual Friction ones. Would you replace the clutch now and save on labor or wait until the stock one goes out?

How driveable is the Centerforce Dual Friction clutch? I expect it to be stiffer but is it daily driveable?

I also plan to replace my Cheap Bastard Intake with the Fighters Garage one. I liked the CBI but it's just too limiting on my choices for a SMIC. Any thoughts on the Fighters Garage intake?

http://fighters-garage.com/rx7.html

It looks like the Pettit TKT intake...at half the price. How's the fitment? Will there be any issues with SMICs or my Fluidyne radiator? Will my car pass emissions with it (I'm in WA)?

Thanks for any advice.

 

Do not get the centerforce. I've never heard anything good about them in FD applications.

Get the ACT street/strip clutch, i ran mine for 50,000 miles and loved it. I definitely recommend you get the clutch installed now, and a lightweight flywheel too if it's in the budget. You'll need an oem auto tranny counterweight and hardware as well---ray at malloy sells it for around 145.

The fighter's garage intake looks nice, if Dale Clark vouches for their products that's enough for me

 

+1 I am replacing a centerforce one now. It didnt last long. G

 

Thanks guys. I've ordered the Fighters Garage intake.

As for the clutch, what's the difference between the ACT Street and Street/Strip?

I looked on the RX-7Store site and they're both rated at 402 ft/lbs. The only difference I can tell from reading the description is that the Street version comes with a "modified disc" and the Street/Strip version comes with a "MZSD069 - Street disc."

I'd like to get a lightweight flywheel also but I've already spent so much money and I don't know if I could justify spending more.

I guess I should give you folks more detail on my driving habits. My power goals are pretty modest, I'm hoping for between 300 - 350 rwhp. I like to daily drive the car...at least when the weather's nice. I don't drag race and I hope to get into autocrossing eventually.

 

I've run this setup too, and also love it (once you stall the engine for the first time ) It you are going to autocross it, the lightened flywheel is nice to have, the engine will rev faster/easier. While there in there doing the clutch might as well do the flywheel too.

 

....and the throwout bearing, and the clutch fork, and the pilot bearing and dust seal. Might as well torque all 18 tension bolts down to spec to while you're in there. It never ends

 

Haha, well if I'm going to go THAT far, I might as well just go LS1...oops, did I just type that out loud?

Back on a less controversial topic, what do you guys think about the Pettit Rally clutch? I called them today and they said that it could handle 20% more power than the stock clutch.

I searched and it seems that everyone likes the ACT. However, the ACT with its 402 ft/lbs rating seems overkill for what I'm doing.

 

i think RP has a replacement clutch.

 

I didn't have any problems fitting the intake with my Fluidyne. Also fit when I had the Pettit Coolcharge II Old Style.

 

Get the clutch changed, I have a street ACT clutch with a street lite 12.3lb flywheel. It runs like a charm, does not buckle under lower rpms as a stock flywheel. Revs up faster too!

 

I'd definitely go with the ACT street/strip clutch. Perfectly streetable, and I'm not sure it'll really hold that much torque, trust me, it's not overkill for your hp goals at all.

In my opinion, you'll regret it if you don't swap out the flywheel. One of the best early mods I did on my FD

 

my clutch came with a flywheel...hehe

 

So I tried ordering the ACT Street clutch kit, Prolite flywheel, and counterweight and they're out of stock.

Would the Spec Stage 2 with the Prolite flywheel and counterweight be a good substitute?

I could wait for the ACT, but I've read good things about the Spec Stage 2 also and I'd rather not wait if I can get similar capability at a slightly cheaper price without waiting.