Need new clutch / flywheel combo, please help me choose!

[batman0505]

I have a 2005 G35 coupe 6MT with very mild mods:- Fujita intake- Injen dual exhaust

In turn, I am looking for a good daily driving / street combo for my replacement clutch/flywheel. I am currently trying to decide between:

- JWT from Forged Performance http://www.forgedperformance.c...age=1

and the

- Z1 http://www.z1motorsports.com/3...=2405

However, I have also read (been searching through this forum a lot on this topic) that with my setup and plans, it might be best to just go with a fidanza or something like that...

I am leaning towards the Z1 because it is cheaper, although the difference in price is pretty negligible. Any suggestions / reccommendation for me?? I like to drive my car pretty hard sometimes, but won't be making passes on the track with it ever.

I don't plan to mod this car any more in the future because it is just for my daily commute. So no need to plan for F/I or anything over 350hp.

Thank you in advance.
Modified by batman0505 at 10:51 AM 9/9/2009

[joe603]

Forged Performance is a great shop! I bought the competition clutch kit (stage 4) and other than the noise, very happy with it. I was going to do FI, but changed my mind.

Search the G forum for other posts on the clutch for details.

The G-Series FAQ (link in my sig) also has tons of info.

[usafdarkhorse]

Take your OEM flywheel to a reputable machine shop and have them take about half the weight out of it ( I would recommend this with or without mods as the G flywheels are heavy hunks of lead...dual mass must mean twice as much mass haha ).

Choose whatever clutch you would like. Aftermarket flywheels tend to scuff up and be useless after awhile.

Someone else mentioned here about using the nismo clutch and pressure plate. This is a good recommendation as these are OEM parts and can be easily ordered.
Modified by usafdarkhorse at 7:01 AM 9/14/2009

[Sentientbydesign]

For a daily driver, stay away from ANY pucked clutch. They're designed for drag racing, not for smooth engagement.

My experience and understanding are that the Competition Clutch lightweight flywheel and the JWT are the loudest and lightest. They are in the 14-15 lb range.

The competition flywheel will likely yield best to resufacing based on my reading, but will eventually have to be replaced after being resurfaced once or twice.

The JWT flywheel has a replaceable friction disc which sells for $45 and is a relatively easy change when the clutch is replaced. This means you'll never have to replace the flywheel, just the friction disc.

My personal favorite so far is the RPS Cyn-R-G flywheel. It's a little heavier at 17lbs (which seems to effect the volume of the chatter as it is much quieter than the JWT I had). The Cyn-R-G also has replaceable friction material, but it comes in segments which is "supposed" to be better for warpage prevention (it's patented if that makes a difference to you).

The Nismo and Fidanza are also in the 17-18lb range if memory serves. I believe the Fidanza has a friction ring like the JWT does. The Nismo is a standard style flywheel that can be resurfaced.

I paid $1200 for my RPS Clutch/Flywheel installed.

If you want to keep the "smoothness" of the OEM design, I'd check with a few aftermarket suppliers. Most of them sell the Infiniti flywheel for less than the dealerships do (lower profit margin).

[tollboothwilley]

I like the JWT setup.

Installed it in my friends Z, much better than stock IMO.

He got his combo from conceptZperformance. $775 for everything shipped...including all the little extras. Good price. Talk to Coz. He's a great guy.

[awdjdmtalon]

I have the same clutch as Joe. It is noisey. But not that bad. The puck disk is DD able. But if I had to do it over, I'd go w/ a street disk. They are full face like stock, but can hold more power.

[batman0505]

So I ended up going with the Z1 clutch/flywheel combo, in the mild street setup (no puck).

So far, it grabs great (of course took a few minutes of driving to get used to) but does have quite a bit of chatter when I go around a corner at casual speed and/or going uphill in too low rpm's. I was surprised because I really only expected this to happen when I was idling in neutral, but under those circumstances, I don't hear anything...does this sound normal to you guys??

[Sentientbydesign]

RPMs need to stay over 2k for the most part to avoid the chatter.

Going with a 13.75 flywheel is why you're hearing so much chatter as well. I really wish someone would listen to me about these in the future (not being rude, just venting). I've driven more clutch/flywheel variations than just about everybody except for the techs.

[batman0505]

Sentient:

Thank you, I really appreciate the info. I ended up getting the Z1 because i'd posted my inquiry, and hadn't heard back on any specific recommendations for a few days...needed it asap, so just went with my gut (just so you know I wasn't ignoring your post or anything).

I'll see if I can adjust my driving style to keep the revs above 2k when I experience the chatter.

Do you guys recommend that I break the clutch it at all?? i.e. avoid launching it at high revs, redlining it, etc for a few hundred miles?

[awdjdmtalon]

500 mile break in. Drive it like you have to pay for it if it breaks.

[batman0505]

Ouch, I was afraid that that was going to be the case...I haven't driven it hard at all yet, and will put it through at least a couple tanks of gas before getting on top of the clutch

[Sentientbydesign]

Keep slippage to a minimum and you should be fine.

Launching=slippageBumper to bumper traffic=slippage