Lightweight solid flywheel and clutch install and review

[cooki_monsta]

So three years on and only 30,000kms I have had to replace this clutch. The pedal stated getting high and then it let go. I had a different clutch disk put in this time that has a very slightly bigger diameter friction service. The new disc is a different material. I had ACS do the work just in case there was a problem with the design of the original kit. The problem is the wear rate as my first oem clutch lasted 130,000 Kim's without slipping. Hopefully the new disc wears slower.

My wife has driven the car for the last 3 yrs and we have moved to the hills and have a very steep drive. I think the lightweight f/w, cold starts up a steep hill have a lot to do with the wear.

The f/w was fine and just required a quick machine. Pedal is great again and the new disc material has a bit more bite and it feels better than the old material. Same sti 1050 kg pressure plate ( new one) installed.

Different noise with this disk. No engagement noise, no chatter but there is a slightly noticeable overrun gear noise at low speeds in low gears. Apparently this is common in subarus. Spoke to ACS about it and they say it is the different design of the springs in the heavier duty clutch disk.

Happy car again.

I struggled to get those T50 Torx Plus screws off for the single mass flywheel conversion and heavy duty clutch upgrade. How annoying to have to drop out the transmission again. I would have replaced the transmission mount and pitching fork at this point. I'm still yet to get a T70 Torx bit to flush the transmission fluid properly.

[maj]

mine started letting go on me late last year, but I actually put 80,000kms on the clutch, so overall I was happy with the way the disc lasted.

I sourced the replacement kit, but this time I've noticed ACS/ClutchPro have revised the clutch kit component that includes a 1,200kg (I'm pretty sure) heavy duty pressure plate, rather than the original 1,050kg one. I remember the original replacement was just finished in bare metal, this one is their purple XtremeHD variety.

Clutch disc itself is still organic but it might be possible the springs were revised, I never had the two side by side to check. I still get a little bit of chatter around the 2,000rpm mark in 2nd gear, but no where near as much as the old ACS kit.

Subaru dealership did the install for me and had the flywheel machined to match, cost me $600 for their install but they assure me any further labor required to readjust etc. is covered. Last time they did the clutch they manhandled the gearbox slightly and tore the rear driveshaft seal, so replaced it for free etc. So I see the value in letting them handle it.

This time around the pedal feel is slightly heavier again, but still lighter than the original factory clutch and DMF.
Also I think my fork bearing is a bit lame or the fork boot isn't sealing properly because every so often I need to grease it up as I get a minor squeal, only seems to happens when the car gets wet.

Performance of the new HD pressure plate is much better than the original ACS kit though. Our liberties are notorious for stinking up their clutch and the ACS kit was no better. This time around I don't get it near as often; only when reversing whilst towing or when I've done a 5,000rpm clutch dump, which I've only done 3 times after the clutch was well bedded in to see if it could handle it; it could! This pressure plate is insane!

Done 15,000kms on the clutch and the pedal feel nor engage point hasn't changed, so whilst it's still not as refined as it should be, it matches well with anyone who has turned their car from a comfy GT, to a sharpened up well handling sedan, like myself. Provided I drive the car in a civilised manner (which I usually do), this disc should last me at least as long as the old one.