The right Clutch
 

So I'm looking for a cheap Ebay clutch, stage 3 puck, but here is the issue. Which one is going to hold up? I'm looking for life experiances on which one is good, and which one to stay away from.

With the price of the Flyin' Miata Stage 1 clutch, it's hard to suggest anything else.

Consider the labor that's involved in replacing the clutch.
Now, consider doing it again because you got a shitty clutch.

Are the savings worth it?

And, how can you know that you got a good clutch from Ebay? Is there a phone number? Customer rep?
(And, as my own horror story goes, I got a clutch once from clowns called GripForce. They cheated me out of cash for two clutches, as the throughout bearing kept breaking (shitty pressure plate), and they kept blaming the installation).

Buyer, beware!

My Gripforce 6 puck is holding up very well to daily abuse. It seems hit or miss, but I suggest inspecting everything carefully before installation. My pressure plate was a painted exedy so no question about quality, but the TOB seemed a little cheesy and I will no doubt be forced to replace it in the future, but other than that, no complaints.

I will have to go with FM. Not only do I feel that is one of my favorite purchases I have made for my car (the turboz is #1 of course) but it was one of the least expensive. After driving a Suby with a stock clutch around for a week I thought there was something wrong with mine, the pedal is so light with the FM L1, I love it.

No experience with ebay stuff, but I know there are guys using them.

Yeah.
My PP from Gripclowns was also Exedy. After the second clutch, I replaced it with used stock, and was happy.

My FM setup has no markings, and, up until I had to yank the engine off, I have had zero (0), none, nada, problems with it (pilot bearing got stuck).

And, it's kinda comforting to know that if there's ever an issue, Bill or Keith would expedite a replacement pronto.

I bought a cheap ass ebay clutch for maybe a hundred bucks. (Not the puck variety, see note below)
Then I got worried about it and ordered a spec stage 2.5.

By the time spec arrived, the cheapo was in already. (labor rate where I live is negligible)
I thought I should give the cheapo a chance and left it in.
It is still there, doing its job without slipping, despite all the abuse, track days, hard launches and numerous dyno sessions for the past year.
I think it was a gripforce.
Pedal is soft, btw.

*I was told so stay away from puck setups. Apparently they have no progressive engagement, they are on or off. Would be an interesting experience in stop and go traffic.

My sprung 6 puck has excellent street manners. I daily it in super shitty Seattle traffic without issue.

Edit: I think a lot of the negative press on puck clutches comes from unsprung 4 & 6 puck clutches with heavier pressure plates than we tend to use in miatas (ACT 2600/3200 # PPs come to mind).

Having said that, I have driven an AWD DSM with an unsprung 6 puck disk and a 2600#pp in traffic before and I really didn't find it that bad. It isn't buttery smooth like a stock clutch, but at no point did I feel like I was going to go rocketing off into the ass end of someones car.

I've been in Seattle maybe 10 times, and believe me, the traffic is nothing compared to Istanbul.
There are times when you just inch the car every few minutes.
And the city is pretty much like San Fransisco. Really hilly.

I have the f1 6puck from ebay. Not sure if this is the same seller, LINK.

It has been holding up fine for a couple years now. Pretty sure levnubhin is still running the same clutch in his beast. Others have used it as well.

eBay f1 here for the last 2 years and holding 270 ft lbs torque.
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

My friend had that ebay F1 clutch. It didn't last one year I think those are hit and miss to.

So what you all are saying is that it is possible to run a cheap F1 ebay clutch and chance having a prob. LOL well good enough for me. My Miata basically only comes out of the shop on really nice days, and to touch the track. NOT A DAILY. I have another matching daily. LOL Stock non turbo.

I know right?! A clutch that's only $350, feels & engages like stock, but can hold over 320TQ!

Pick a witty response:

1. And here I paid $300 for my ACT with a 10% coupon, engages low and awkward, and it can only hold 200TQ. (1.8L equivalent = $390 & 233TQ)

2. And here I paid $325 for my Clutchnet 2x 6-puck with a Group Buy special, failed to disengage after installation and only worked after then buying another ACT HD PP, it engages fast and annoying, and it can only hold 260TQ. (1.8L equivalent = $355 & 298TQ)

-

Okay, stock organ's won't hold for shit. Even a stage 1. I ran one of those years ago when I first started tuning. Pile of junk. I went to a stage two Kevlar and it did great to around 200 RWHP. But for safetys sake, and so you don't have to pull your tranny all the time, go with Brains idea and do either a Flyin miata kit, or a puck. And as far as flywheels go the stock one is great to keep force up when it comes to shifting, but I went with a 8 LBS and a stage 3 puck. I love it other then in parking lots, speed bumps, or 20 MPH zones. You have to learn to drive your car again!!!

-

Its good to hear that the F1 clutch holds up. Because that's me pretty soon. I have to be cheap now, since I have two DIYPNP's. :crx:

i had my friend blow his f1 clutch in 6 months,, after that he got what i told him to get and what i have, ACT.. because after 3 years of daily driving and , hard nasty driving it still was good as new.. oh that with 220whp and 198wtq. you get what you pay for, or some times you get a lucky good one that works and is cheap,, maybe the new FM option is good and cheaper.

Its true, some work for days,weeks and months. Others will work for years. Two of my friends run Gripforce F1 Stage 3 pucks, and swear by them. Day to day they work, and I'm talking stupid crazy drivers that ride their clutches. So my two cents say they're good, but others might not agree. I just popped mine in, and so far so good, but I don't drive like them. I have a stage2 in my daily that works great. But its not a turbo, and now my turbo (track car) has the stage 3 6 puck with a 8 LBS or so Flywheels. I mean its cheap so if it goes out whatever. I have a feeling it will hold up like most others, and my friends.

But what do I know??? I'm just a redneck!!!