hello all, my first post in a long long while. looking to pop the cherry on my 5.5 finally, after seven years of ownership, 60k miles, and only a couple minor set backs and a crap ton of waiting around i plan to begin modding my car this spring and summer.

first things first this car needs a clutch. currently i am in shopping and researching mode, as my budget is not the biggest i am of course looking for the best price options i can find without being a cheap *** and buying junk. that said, i am seriously considering the sach's clutch, part number k70357-01 which claims to fit 02-03's and increase hold, so far this clutch is the least expensive i have found that seems to still be a clamping force upgrade.

Is anyone running this clutch in their 5.5? if so whats your review/opinions/ feedback on its performance and value.

on to the rest of this... at the same time i see no reason not to throw in a flywheel, seeing as i'd rather only take it apart once. Anyone with JWT or Fidanza chime in here, not too interested in performance comparo as much as fitment and price as well as instal instruction/tutorial. but is $450 really the best price there is out there for an aftermarket flywheel? just seems really high, maybe i'm a moron.

To avoid jumbling this discussion with the "cherry popping mods" that i plan for this car this spring i will post them along with the questions i have about them in other threads. thank you for reading, F you for flaming, and yes i searched. afterall, i wouldnt want to show back up on the .org looking like a total noob

 

oem flywheel is around 600 so 450 for a light weight is the better option. Also check out an exedy clutch, either OEM or stage 1 is a good deal and holds better than stock.

 

I've heard some people reusing the OEM flywheel with a light sanding.

I always thought you weren't supposed to re use dual mass flywheels though.

I think for $500, I will take the chance of having to rip it apart again. This may not be true for someone who has to pay for the work to be done though.

 

the sachs clutch says it holds better than stock, but i cannot find a spec, i agree on 450 beating six bills, but is that really the best deal on one? (450 being the price for the JWT one, is this the same piece as the fidanza?)

any ideas on best deals for the exedy stage one? links?

 

i"m doing the install myself, doesnt change the fact that i'd rather do the work the least number of possible times

 

oem exedy is 199 on ebay stage one is about double. for the best deal on the fidanza check the group buy section, either cattman or importrp.

 

found the sachs kit for just under 250, its price attracts, as for the flywheel i had spaced the GB section, maybe cattman can hook it up
thanks


any other thoughts folks?

 

You aren't going to find a flywheel much cheaper than 450 unless you use a Z flywheel which you will have to figure out how to line up right.

You can technically get your stock flywheel resurfaced, but remember it's 30+lbs compared to the 13-15 lbs you will get with an aftermarket one.

I went with a clutchmasters flywheel just out of convenience and because it's the lightest (13.1lbs) I could find.

I can't really tell you for a stronger stock replacement clutch, mine is a little extreme lol.

 

you can use the stock z clutch with a lightweight flywheel right? I know the post 04 clutches are a clamping force upgrade

 

the exedy oem clutch plate has a slightly bigger diameter than the stock z clutch. I had pictures at one time but i can't find them right now. I posted them last fall

 

vq35hr 350z clutch is a direct replacement from what i"ve read, although i am aware of the differences in diameter, and have read that some experience strange noise just after instal that goes away.... who knows

wish i could find a step by step for pulling the tranny, havent wrenched since highschool, i'm admittedly timid at this point

 

FSM + brain = profit

I did it myself without ever having done a clutch before on any car. You just need to be patient and remember where everything goes. Make a system that works for you. I lay things out together in order but most draw a diagram and lay bolts/screws on their respective places. Follow all the torque specs and order for tightening perfectly. Buy a torque wrench and a breaker bar if you have to, also a T55 torx bit. I'm just using 120 dollar each craftsman 3/8" and 1/2".

The FSM does a good job of telling you everything to do.

 

got .pdf for the service manual? tools and brain i got covered, lucky for me i earn my way selling tools. so i have a decent handle on the basics

 

nevermind, two seconds on google found it.

 

you do not have to remove the axles from the car. If you disconnect them from the tranny you can drop it that way and save quite a few steps. and won;t have to do a front end alignment

 

whats the deal with using a z flywheel in these cars?

 

i had assumed this was possible, nice to hear it confirmed. just had the whole car alligned 1700 miles ago. figured i could get away till fall when no doubt a needed strut replacement will coincide with springs, rsb, sfc, and wheel spacers, leading to an alignment

 

haven't read anything other than the mention in this thread of using a z flywheel. i am under the impression that there are alignment issues with the starter using a z flywheel... if you search fwd vq35de flywheel you should find a thread on the alignment holes present in aftermarket flywheels that make them useable for both fwd and the z or g35 rwd configuration.

 

yeah, I wish there was more info out because I can get a NEW fidanza z flywheel from the vendors section on my350z for like $350, 100 less than on here

 

Anyone have more info on using a RWD VQ35 LWF?