too much power for clutch?

[phatmanace]

I have a quick question.

Since having my Mx5 turbo'd - I'm wondering whether the clutch can cope [uk 1.6 model @ ~ 180Bhp]?


I've noticed at full power acceleration when changing from 2nd to 3rd, close to the redline, the rev counter does some very weird things.

it seems to flutter a little [similar effect to when the clutch goes] - but it's absolutely fine at lower revs - even when accelerating moderately hard.

it's quite a new clutch - so I'm wondering if it's slipping with all the power, or whether it's just wheelspin [which it doesn't feel like as there is no tyre squeal]

Cheers
-ace

[skinny]

use your ears and butt-accelerometer to see if the clutch is slipping rather than the rev counter - it sounds to me more like the gauge is squiffy!

[Evil Edna]

Normally, a worn clutch (or one that cannot cope with modified engine output) will slip at peak torque. Where is peak torque made on your T/C engine?

[phatmanace]

skinny said:

use your ears and butt-accelerometer to see if the clutch is slipping rather than the rev counter - it sounds to me more like the gauge is squiffy!

yeah - the thing that makes me think that it's not a dodgey rev counter is the engine note matches the rev counter.

guess it can't cope :-(

[redgriff500]

Its not the bhp but the torque that makes them slip.

My 1.6 180bhp SC was ok on a std clutch if you were sensible but I reckon your turbo will have more torque.

[phatmanace]

redgriff500 said:

Its not the bhp but the torque that makes them slip.

My 1.6 180bhp SC was ok on a std clutch if you were sensible but I reckon your turbo will have more torque.

paddle clutch then, I guess... ?

[redgriff500]

You could just upgrade to a 1.8 clutch and flywheel.

Or P5 sell Spec clutches which get good reviews.

[skinny]

as long as they have sorted out their problems - there was a batch of 1.6 spec II clutches that slipped when they got hot - i know of quite a few FI'd 5's that suffered from this.

[Greg_D]

the original spec 2 i had for my car was a piece of crap, it juddered, was stiff and was generally unpleasant.

My engine recently failed and needed to be replaced and so i took the opportunity to change it to a spec 2+ (phil is sending the original back to spec to try and get a warranty claim) and the difference is night and day, it is an absolute joy, light, no juddering whatsoever (even up a hill in reverse!!!!!) and i couldn't be more delighted.

My conclusion is that there would appear to be bad batches of spec's and it would appear to be luck of the draw a little bit.

greg

[dapprman]

I ran a mk1 1.6 180 BHP supercharged '5 for about a year before upgrading the clutch, and that was only because I'd purchased a lightened fly wheel, so I used it as an excuse to upgrade (plus I was going the way of a big boost crank pulley).

Never had a problem and the old clutch and flywheel are still sitting in a box at my place.