So it seems like my TOB is about to give up the ghost so I figure it's time to replace the clutch as well. I've been looking to match my Paxton H.O. with the Exedy Mach 500 Stage 3 clutch. Based on most everyone I've talked to, I've been told to straight up replace my stock flywheel with one from Exedy, but based on my reading here in general terms the stock flywheel should be just fine. I don't really want anything lighter as this car is pretty much 100% street, but what are everyone's thoughts here? Does the fact that the clutch will be holding higher HP suddenly warrant a different flywheel?

 

the stocker should be more than enough granted its not scored. id have it surfaced and call it good. it will save you some cash as well. good luck

 

Alright, that's kind of what I was thinking but I wanted to make sure before I paid someone to tear off my transmission twice if I were wrong.

 

I think a stage 2 would suit your car nicely. Stage 3 clutches can be pretty rough around town.

 

I have the McLeod RXT and the clutch pedal is light enough for daily driver use.

 

My '08 factory service manual states that the flywheel cannot be resurfaced and must be replaced.

The one reason I know of for requiring replacement rather than resurfacing of a flywheel when you do a clutch job is if the flywheel is a dual-mass flywheel.

This came up in an article in the November 2015 issue of 'Brake and Front End' magazine that just came today (it mainly serves repair shops other than dealership service departments), and I know I'd seen this come up somewhere in the last few days. You may be able to fine the same article online.


Norm

 

And replacing the flywheel with an aftermarket flywheel will not affect its street manners. Light, heavier, shiny, dull, don't matter.

 

Lighter is clearly better for autocrossing, road course hot lapping, and similar activities that mainly do not involve standing starts. But lighter can be worse at the dragstrip and in street driving if the car isn't geared with the "lightness" in mind. It's do-able with wrong gearing, just not as easy and certainly not optimal.


Norm

 

Some of the aftermarket clutches have a different size mating surface and will work fine with the stock clutch, but will work better with the brand's own flywheel since it is the proper size for the clutch grip surface.

 

Exedy 350 is perfect for mine - daily driver. Matched it with a billet flywheel. Noticeable difference - but I don't track or race. Clutch was touchy at first, but calmed down to a stock feel in about a day.

Also, replace your throwout bearing / slave cylinder and pilot bearing as well while the whole thing is apart. Will save you a lot of aggravation later.