Light weight clutch components

Bullet Bob · 03-03-2006, 08:14 PM

I am looking at buying a car ('86 Cabriolet) that will soon require a clutch replacement and I would like a bit of advice. I have been looking around at components just to see what I will be in for and there are several light weight variations out there, like the Fidanza flywheel which weighs in at 5.5 pounds.

I know that reducing the clutch and flywheel assembly weight will improve acceleration (at the cost of driveability) but by how much? Is it a little gain, or a substantial improvement? How adversely will it affect driveability?

Is Fidanza a reputable brand? Anyone have experience with them?

I also noticed that Pelican Parts offers a cast iron pressure plate and an aluminum one. Which one is stock? I figure that since I will need to replace this stuff anyways I might as well add some zip to the car.

I do really want to retain the character of this car because it is in terrific shape (no plans for wild modifications etc...) but I do plan to make small improvements such as this. Any other ideas? (short shift, etc...)

Thanks,
Bob

Bullet Bob · 03-04-2006, 04:10 PM

Any thoughts? Someone has to have some experience with this.

Thanks,
Bob

Jeff Alton · 03-04-2006, 04:13 PM

The cast iron plate is stock. The aluminum one is a fair bit lighter and made by the same manufacturer (sachs). I do not have any experience with the light weight flywheels, can't help you there! If you do a search on the pressure plate and include "widebody911" in the user name field you will find a thread by Thom detailing his expereince with the aluminum PP in his 3.6...

Cheers

cab83_750 · 03-04-2006, 04:17 PM

I bought a lightweight flywheel from our host, and I also know of the Fidanza. The Fidanza is round and I am not sure about the weight.

The one from PP is also aluminum, but rather than round, it has a cut-out and the shape is almost a four-leaf clover. Although I am not sure about the weight, I think by default the one from PP is much lighter. I have so far no issues with it, though in my opinion, the car revs so much quicker.

I am not a racer, so no data on acceleration.