eBay Clutch and Flywheel review… FOR SCIENCE!
 

Disclaimer:
I know full well that eBay clutches have a bad reputation. But reviews from people that have tried them are sparse. Especially a review of someone who wants it to work, but knows if something is good or not.

I ordered the kit when I was deployed awhile ago as a “why not” experiment. As my significant other likes to point out, I must like turning wrenches more than I like driving. So if you give me neg cats, give it for the review, not for ignoring the advice here. I am hoping this helps anyone doing a Google search in the future to select the correct parts.

I purchased an XTD Stage 2 clutch and polite flywheel for $212
XTD STAGE 2 CLUTCH & PRO-LITE FLYWHEEL KIT 94-05 MIATA MX-5 1.8L | eBay

Everything looked fine when I got it. I took the FW to my buddy who magnetic particle inspected it (MPI Test) it and it was sound. When I had the chance to mix and match parts as I recall the clutch and pressure plate would not fit on my stock MSM flywheel, but the MSM parts would fit the new lightweight flywheel. The new disc was slightly larger than my stock MSM disc. As I recall everything was lighter than the the MSM Clutch/FW/PP by 6 lbs (the XTD PP is heavy)

I took the flywheel and clutch to my machinest when I was having engine work done, and he noted that the dowel pin holes on the PP were oversized. If he balanced it he could not guarantee that it would remain perfect because of the 1/8 or more of rotational slop in the PP to FW interface. (That dude is an OCD perfectionist) SO I said “F*$% it… FOR SCIENCE!”

I tried to install the FW on my assembled block and low and behold the bolt holes were undersized for OEM Mazda FW bolts, as in a stock bolt won’t fit through the hole. I ended up reaming the holes 0.010 oversized. The flywheel was still a friction fit on the crank, the indexing ring was super tight, so I sanded off the paint to get a better fit (I should have turned it a smidge on the lathe) The bolt holes ended up still being a bit small, when I installed the FW on the crank the threads dug a bit into the FW.

Fast forward 1000 miles. The clutch is crappy, it chatters and grabs sometimes. I remind you this is a organic sprung disc, it should be smoother. The clutch pedal weight is close to stock. But the throw out bearing is garbage, as has been anecdotely reported on this forum. After only this short mileage it is loud in neutral with the clutch out. Put the clutch in very slowly and you can hear it get quieter then finally silencing the “whirring” sound of a compromised bearing. I only ran it at 7psi, it might be fine there... maybe? but as soon as my engine is broken in I am turning up the boost.

Now I have quelled my curiosity, and hopefully help out somebody who bothers to do a search. The XTD clutch and heavy a$$ pressure plate are sub par for anyone who cares, but great for a POS Lemons or Gambler500 car. If you buy the flywheel for $100ish on eBay it is a good deal if you are somewhat competent in a machine shop.

Now I have myself a new project, pull my tranny and put in a SuperMiata clutch kit (with bearings) and balance it properly. If they ever get back in stock.

Final thoughts: It is time to try out launch control! I will post pictures when I get the tranny back out. Also the throw out arm vibrates like crazy in neutral, it would kill a slave cylinder doing that (Don’t use the included bearing! even in a Lemons car!)

Bring on the Neg-Cats!

So it's a POS then, like everybody said it was? I'm shocked.

Did you following the TOB greasing instructions as recommended by the FSM? it doesn't sound like you did.

My xtd ebay 6 puck clutch held great, but worked like a light switch and chattered like hell. I had it in for 15k miles. Hated it. FM stage 2 clutch is tits. Ebay clutches are fine if you are a cheap ricer that thinks your racelands are hella badass and ride great.

Yes I greased in accordance with the FSM: 97FSM Page 05-10-9. But I used Timkin brand high temp moly grease instead of Mori White.

I always found if i didnt grease the TOB tabs where it rids on the fork they are very noisy.