949 Racing F-1 Clutches
 

I need a clutch that grips my engine's power like it has a pair :makeout:

luckily, it isn't alot of power, but the stock clutch is out.

I'm looking for a 1.6 unit, like Exedy's metaliceramic Stage 2 (because somehow, it's actually cheaper than Stage 1) or 949 Racing's F-1 Stage 3 Ceramic (budget FTW).

Some searching on Miata forums led me to suggestions for checking the Honda and Nissan forums for consumer feedback. It seems to be a fair split (with a bit more of the satisfied guys, saying the broken disc guys just didn't break it in).

What about you guys?

949 twin disc =$$$$ profit $$$$

fm happy meal? act hdss?

I'm using the F1 'stage 3' 6 puck ceramic and I like it a lot. I didn't even brake it in, you don't really need to with a 6 puck. Just slip it a few times gently, drive like 25 miles (my trip home) then ball hard. I'm 99.99999999% sure that people who have them fail either

a. used greasy hands to install it and never cleaned off the pressure plate surface before installing.

or
b. Are fucking retarded and didn't install it properly. Either mistorqued the pressure plate bolts or didn't adjust it properly.

Do yourself a favor though, buy a 1.8 pressure plate and have it resurfaced by a good clutch shop and go with the 1.8 pp and disc.

6-puck is apperantly win.

Stage 2... IS FUCKING FAIL AND AIDS WITH CUM AND DONKEY SHIT INSIDE OF HUSTLER'S ANUS. The pressure plate is... Alright. VERY unlinear in feel, but it grips well with a different disk. Don't get me started on the stage 2 disk. The whole "stage 2" kit was actually WORSE than my stock clutch at handling power. Slipped at like 4,000rpms with a 2554 at 7psi. And yes, it was installed correctly, and adjusted correctly. It just sucked ass.

But like I said, the pressure plate isn't bad, I'm running a stage 2 pressure plate with an ACT unsprung 6-puck ceramic, and let me tell you, it is WONDERFUL. If you want a discount clutch use that combo. There's very little judder once it's broken in (There will always be judder with a 6-puck) and the engagement is actually surprisingly good and it's held 12psi from a 2560, so it's very strong. The clutch pedal isn't that heavy, but it still feels like shit because of the very nonlinear feel of the pressure plate. But once again, it grips extremely well and engagement isn't that bad, I can get going on my loose gravel and sand driveway without spinning at all.

Its all about the 6 puck. I would never trust a cheapie full face disc. The pucks clutches have thus far proved themselves pretty reliable though.

I'm not a fan of pucked clutches because they are hard on transmissions. I am a HUGE fan of ACT HD clutches, though. We use one in our rental and I ran an HD pressure plate with a 6-puck in my race car. Ditched it for a 949twin.

Cross-shop the ACT HD and an FM Stage 1.

I've seen enough ACT clutches with random engagement problems that I'll never buy one. I'd love to get a 949 twin but I'm poor and doing an FMs2 clutch next time. I'd like to use the F1 flywheel if posible though.



:bowrofl:

I'm using the F-1 Chromolly Flywheel (9 lbs) and it's done pretty nicely for roughly 10K miles.

that price for a 6 puck, torque gripping clutch is pretty eye catching (if it actually holds).

First saw F-1 stuff on eBay, but I felt a bit more confident when I saw 949 was retailing them.

I've been told that the only issue with the F1 clutch, aside from bad installation, are the bearings that come with the package. Just in case you decide to take that route.

Oh yeah, forgot to rant about the bearings - they've been in my car for about 2 or 3k miles now and they're squeaking pretty bad.

^^Lol, nice sig.

I'm finally putting my 'stage 3' in this weekend. It better kickass.

I've had an Exedy clutch in for just a bit, so I can just reuse the throwout and pilot bearings from Exedy since they're so fresh.

Hey, turotufas

how'd the F-1 Stage 3 work out?

i have a flyin miata clutch it feels factory and grabs like a mf i love it. Unless your over 350whp.

Ugh, I punked out on the install. And I had to work.

I have the week off. Should be in if I don't go with another clutch. I've been second guessing the F1.

Me too. I'm save the extra pennies for a FM1

What makes you doubt it? The bearings (or something new noones brought up yet)?

The next cheapest complete clutch I can rock is a little over twice as much.

(but the clutch isn't something that you cheap out on if the budget stuff isn't up to par)

Guys, Lev (phil) has been abusing his F1/Stage 3 for quite a bit now. I've driven his car and pedal feel is great, engagement not an issue once you get used to it. Just get the t.o and pilot bearing from Mazda and enjoy

FYI mine is in a box waiting to go on

And FYI I have a clutchnet for sale and its like brand new...couple hundred miles on it @ 6psi from a 2560. Red PP, full sprung disc, with 1/2 reg springs and 1/2 upgraded springs

Cool, I already have Mazda/Exedy bearings.

Beginning to test prototypes of our new line of 949 Racing brand performance clutches. Much burlier, higher capacity than the F1 line and about 2-3x the price. Started from scratch designing these so they'll be exactly what I want in an affordable race clutch. Will start a new thread with details when we get further along in development. Looking to have stuff ready to ship around the first of the year. Until then, the F1 is a good value for a modest increase in capacity over the stock clutch.

I have put about 8k miles on a stage 2 F1 clutch, and honestly, to me, it feels exactly the same as stock. I also got the lightweight flywheel which is pretty cool, but the clutch feels pretty puss. And maybe it was just me, but it seems like it has taken forever for it to break in fully.

If I had to get another F1, I'd definitely go for the stage 3.

Sounds like I'm getting the 6-puck.

Did that guy who was saying he was putting in the F-1 stage 3 ever did?

Emilio, how much do you think the 1.6 stage-3 will hold?

nubins is holding almost 300 wtp mine started slipping around 250 still for the $ it isnt bad at all

I’ve had no complaints whatsoever from my ACT Extreme 6 puck in the 1.6 L version with a 7 lb Fidanza flywheel.

Launches just fine and is holding 320 ft-lbs of RW torque.

I am skeptical that the sprung hub helps the transmission though. With this much torque the springs bottom out and when they do I think the movement makes it so it can behave more like a slide hammer than a suspension.

I still want a twin however.

Bob

:bowrofl: I won't be any where near that.

so is the general consensus that 6 puck discs in general don't need to be broken in as long as a full face disk?

(If I had to guess, it'd be because of the reduced amount of actual friction material?)

7lbs, Bbundy? Is that a two piece aluminum - how fast do revs drop?

The actual weight of the off the shelf 1.6l Fidanza flyweel is 7.4 lbs. It is aluminum with a steel friction surface. I have zero issues with being able to daily drive it. Most people stall my car a couple times when they first try to drive it but quickly get the feel for it. I can’t remember exactly but I think the whole clutch and flywheel assembly was like 18 lbs or about the same weight as the stock 1.8 flywheel by itself. It is still heavier with more MOI than a 949 racing twin though. I am definitely not afraid of going lighter.

FWIW I also tried a Spec Stage 3+. It juddered like crazy made it hard to drive without looking like an idiot and it wouldn’t hold my torque.

Bob

I put the F-1 6 puck in yesterday. Dropping the tranny was a major PITA. Those of you with BEGI-S kits take note: the down pipe cannot be removed without the turbo being removed, which cannot be removed without the manifold being removed after its all in the car.

After it was in (and swearing subsided), the clutch pedal fealt nearly stock, real easy. And even brand new, if you slip it just over 2,000 - it was as smooth as glass. My friend, who's accustomed to 6-pucked FC's had to make the first drive and after that, it was clear what the clutch's trick was. This is my first 6-puck and even I think it's easy.

It holds out of the box (but I haven't dropped it yet, going to give it some time).

Long term quality remains to be determined, but thus far - this clutch appears to be budget win.

Emilio, did you stop selling the F1 clutches?

Luis, how is your clutch doing/