T56 Magnum, McLeod RST twin-disk clutch/Al flywheel review
 

[reposting my norotors post here]
Nearly a year ago I decided I had to do something about the F-bod T56 in my FD. It was always a bit reluctant to go into gear, particularly when cold, and had started to pop out of 3rd sometimes at the track, particularly if the car got squirrely. I thought about getting the T56 rebuilt, but that was looking pretty pricey *and* I knew that even a perfect F-bod T56 has a very CHUNK-CHUNK feel and gearchanges require a little deliberation. Sooo, after much research and consultation with Bowtie7 and gnx7, I decided to get a new T56 Magnum. Also while the Ram clutch in the car never had any issues putting the power down, on the street in traffic the effort at the clutch pedal was an issue for my puny left leg... Never an issue at the track, but on the street it could be a major annoyance in traffic. More research and consultation with trusted experienced dudes above => McLeod RST dual-disk clutch, and I decided to get a lightweight aluminum flywheel to go with it.

Due to other unforeseen work required which led to dragged feet on my part, it turned out to be a while before the car was operational again. I finally got to drive it with the new driveline two weeks ago...

I have to say that both the T56 Magnum and the McLeod RST clutch exceeded my expectations. Clutch effort is LOW. To the extent that after driving the car around for a couple of days, I found the clutch effort in a Mazda3 to feel HEAVY! And shifting action with the T56 Magnum is uncannily SMOOTH and EASY while also being very direct. Just *DROPS* into the next gear without any notchiness or chunkiness at all, SUPER easy and quick. It makes my S2000's gearbox feel notchy! And no vagueness at all, no issues with "finding" the right gear. Upshifts and downshifts are damn near *telepathic*. I really can't emphasize the difference compared to the F-bod T56 enough, it feels like a totally different gearbox (which it kind of is).

As for the aluminum flywheel, the engine fricking ZINGS up the rev range. Probably doesn't hurt that displacement went from 364 to 416... In my old 240Z I found that a lightweight flywheel made upshifts and downshifts much quicker and easier, so IMO probably a factor in this case as well.

Really really REALLY can't wait to get this car to the track again :D

BIG thanks to Charlie (Bowtie7, MazCare in Marietta GA) who did the custom installation (along with a ton of other work) and to Mark (gnx7) who has been down the T56 magnum path with his car and sells T56 mags and McLeod clutches.

These guys are tremendous resources to the V8 RX-7 community :cheers:

:drive:

Congratulations, I am really glad to hear you are so happy with the setup. I'm going to route of T-56 Magnum/RST Twin Disk/KAAZ 1.5 way and you just have me even more excited to finish and try it out.

:icon_tup: I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Oh yeah, got a 1.5-way OS Giken LSD as well :) 25/35 decel/accel ramps with added negative preload to delay lockup. Lockup is not noticeable on the street, totally unobtrusive. Looking forward to seeing how that works at the track too :)

Glad you are loving that combo Dan! I know I love the T56 Magnum in my 3 cars running them.