Im installing my lightened flywheel tomorrow and I was wondering if I could get some last minute advice from you guys. Ive been reviewing past threads about this subject but still have a question. Is a clutch alignment tool necessary for this procedure and if so where can I get one - autozone? Thanks guys,

Grant

 

i have the same question. i'm assuming it is necessary since you gotta take the clutch off to take the flywheel off. but where to get one is a good question.
im gonna check the dealership tomorrow

 

I can't imagine not having to use a clutch alignment tool for that, and your best bet is trying a local store, or dealer, to see if they have the alignment tool you need. Good luck.

 

Advance Auto sells them for sure, dunno if they're in your area, but AZ or Napa should have them as well. They're cheap. And yea you need it lol.

 

yes, you do need it because after putting your clutch and pressure plate back on, when putting the actual tranny up, it would not align properly.......

 

you should have gotten one in your clutch kit. take it from someone who has had to change 5 flywheels in 3months, its not too hard. just make you follow your tq specs and sequences. and be sure to clean your flywheel and pp very well. make sure to keep ur clutch disc covered while its off. my buddy got an oily rag put on his brand new exedy stage 1 and it slipped the moment it was installed.

 

I have a transmission/ drivetrain service tech working on my 1997 Maxima se installing the 5th gen. clutch, PP, release bearing and a Fidanza 12lb. Flywheel. There are a few issues I am looking to resolve. There is a smaller ring gear that the POS reads and it's riveted to the old flywheel. Is there a way to shim the sensor itself? Next problem is the re-enforcement plate that the bolts go through before the flywheel. How is the Fidanza Flywheel retro fitted properly, and does the flywheel need to be balanced? Needless to say my tech is pretty pissed off at any aftermarket part and he doesn't like this one bit. It seems like a lot of people have done this mod. Please Help!!!

 

do you mean move the cps away from the ring? just put a washer between the bellhousing and where the bolt goes thru the cps, thats what i did.
the reenforcement plate shouldnt be needed at all with a fidanza, if its anything like mine, its impossible to use anyways.
it should not need balancing.

tell ur tech do shut up and do the work hes getting paid to do. being a tech myself, your not going to like every job you get.

 

So basically you only shim the CPS itself to read off of the ring gear on the Fidanza? How tight is the tolerance for the CPS, did you measure off of the old flywheel first before shimming? Last question, did you need shorter bolts to mount the Fidanza? I haven't actually seen the work being done, but I would do it myself if I had time to. I assume you like your flywheel, my tech is trying to get me to put the old one back on.

 

i shimmed the cps out, because it was grazing the timing ring. im not sure what the stock air gap on the cps is. they should be the same bolts. the problem i ran into is that apparently 5spd and 6spd flywheel bolts differ, and i couldnt fit the 14mm socked in to tighten the bolts. so i had to grind down the socket so i could fit it in. i love my flywheel, because i went from a 30lb oem to my 15. rev matching is much easier.

 

Make sure to sand (or have sanded) the starter/engine/tranny/bellhousing surfaces or else you'll have the notorious starting problem. Usually the timing ring remains in the stock location, I've installed two fidanza's and never had a problem. Also, NCSU max, if you read any of the manuals it will tell you to drop the y-pipe and crossmember, no nead to, it is much easier if you simpy unbolt the 4 bolts for the tranny mount instead, it will clear fine.

 

The Fidanza is in. They may have changed the design a little as the secondary ring that the POS reads bolts right on to my new flywheel. I didn't have a micro meter, but it is almost an exact match with the old flywheel if you include the support ring on the old one . No shims were needed as the the POS stayed in the stock location. My techs main concern was how tight the fitment on the crank was. This is machined so tight due to the different expansion rates of steel and aluminum of course. I will be picking my ride up in two hours and testing the new 5th gen clutch and Fidanza Flywheel for myself...

Installed for $400 cash
Fidanza Flywheel: $330 shipped and received in three days (ultrarev.com)
Nissan 5th Gen
Clutch, PP, RB: $222 shipped and recieved in four days (nissanpartscheap.com)

All in all a pretty good deal

Thanks for all your help MAXSE5SPD