Who here has installed a McLeod RST clutch?? NEED HELP ASAP

[MickeySaleen]

Hey guys, I ordered this clutch for my stock TR3650 tranny and need help on the flywheel.

Originally when I placed my order with the shop, I told them I wanted my stock flywheel resurfaced when the clutch is being installed.

Now, they called me back and said they recommend I order a new flywheel that will "fit" the disk better. Supposedly, the stock flywheel will have a slight overhang off of this twin-disk clutch.

So now I am stuck between a $45 resurface charge for my current flywheel or a $420 charge for the new, "better fitting" flywheel. The shop tech said the stock flywheel won't supply as much friction as the new flywheel will...as you can imagine, im quite pissed about the additional $400 for the new clutch...

My question to you guys, is will the performance really suffer without this new flywheel?

Here is the clutch kit for reference: McLeod RACING 6911-03C - McLeod RST Street Twin Clutch Kits - Overview - SummitRacing.com

 

[Liftedbronco]

very interested. so mcleod is saying that their clutch is uniquely sized and will only work with a mcleod flywheel? lol marketing much?

 

[Chrome61]

According to Summit's page it says it fits the stock flywheel......Unless they ground the shit out of yours when you had it resurfaced I don't know what the problem is.

 

[klaw]

There are two different inner radius' for these flywheels. When I did mine, we made sure that we had the correct flywheel. My parts supplier said that not only do you lose holding power and clutch life, but the uneven loading across the disk face can lead to warping of the floater. Considering the cost and PITA factor of changing clutches in these cars, I didn't want to compromise and have to do it all over again. Sucks - but that's modding.

Call Shannon at Western Motorsports (403 - 243-6205) if you want details.

 

[JeremyH]

The mcleod rst is designed to work with the stock flywheel and i have never seen a failure from this overhang business, that being said, supposively the 99-04 flywheel fits the mcleod "better".

 

[FordEvangelist]

+1. I have a McLeod RXT with a Fidanza flywheel but I ordered the larger insert for the flywheel. I believe it's for a pre-2005 4.6L but it all fits the same.

There are two different inner radius' for these flywheels. When I did mine, we made sure that we had the correct flywheel. My parts supplier said that not only do you lose holding power and clutch life, but the uneven loading across the disk face can lead to warping of the floater. Considering the cost and PITA factor of changing clutches in these cars, I didn't want to compromise and have to do it all over again. Sucks - but that's modding.

Call Shannon at Western Motorsports (403 - 243-6205) if you want details.

 

[klaw]

+1. I have a McLeod RXT with a Fidanza flywheel but I ordered the larger insert for the flywheel. I believe it's for a pre-2005 4.6L but it all fits the same.

What you want is the flywheel with the smaller inner radius.

 

[1SickRedfire]

I'm running the RST, the overhang is actually fairly significant. I know they say you can run it with the stock flywheel, and I have, but after I pulled my trans after running it awhile you can see by the wear marks on the flywheel and clutch that about 1/3 of the clutch doesn't even contact the flywheel. So I would recommend getting a different flywheel to get the most out of the clutch. I know Lethal performance sells an inexpensive flywheel that will fit.

http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35156

 

[JeremyH]

You can find a 99-04 6 bolt flywheel for $50-100 bucks on ebay.

 

[Jeffs FRC]

Just get the Fidanza 1 piece billet steel flywheel. Its around $150 shipped. Call Amped or Lethal...

 

[GrnBullitt08]

Just installed the RXT clutch on my friends car and we resurfaced the stock flywheel and reused it. Its seems to work fine. We had it at the track over the weekend and no issues so far. Car ran very solid and shifted strong.

 

[klaw]

Just installed the RXT clutch on my friends car and we resurfaced the stock flywheel and reused it. Its seems to work fine. We had it at the track over the weekend and no issues so far. Car ran very solid and shifted strong.

The RXT (ceramic disks) will hold more than the RST.

 

[GrnBullitt08]

The RXT (ceramic disks) will hold more than the RST.

Yes...Im aware of that.

 

[TommyG]

Just so there are no questions about my technical knowledge, I use to be Mustard, then Tom@Amp.

The stock flywheel can be used with a McLeod. However, I have never recommended using the stock flywheel because it WILL CAUSE IREGULAR WEAR ON THE CLUTCH DISK ITSELF. The inner diameter of the stock flywheel is not sufficient enough to give you 100% clutch/flywheel contact.

I do believe this will not cause a problem until the clutch ages. By that I mean the total life of the clutch itself will suffer when compared to a correct flywheel/clutch set up.

I would recommend a 99-04 GT flywheel from Fidanza. There are a couple other economical choices on the market if you are really wanted to save a few extra pennies. Give AJ from AMPED a call, or any other vender on this board and they should be able to help you.

Thanks
Tom

 

[klaw]

Yes...Im aware of that.

My point was that the extra holding power of the RXT might be masking the problem. Just because it held doesn't mean that you don't have an issue.

 

[TommyG]

My point was that the extra holding power of the RXT might be masking the problem. Just because it held doesn't mean that you don't have an issue.

The issues that may or may not be caused by running a stock flywheel with a McLeod will only be seen later down the road, when the clutch has begun to exhibit extreme wear and tear. Whether or not the clutch in question is a RST or RXT has absolutely nothing to do with this scenario. Both clutched will experience a shortened overall life span due to the irregular wear caused by the incorrect flywheel/clutch combination. However a RXT would still hold up better, it would/will eventually fail. If I still had some of the old clutched I would post a picture, and show you all.

 

[BruceH]

Here's a pic of my RST when used with a Fidanza flywheel. It was still able to hold 500+ rwhp even with the reduced surface area. When I went to a 26 spline for my 6060 I decided to get the McLeod flywheel. If you have the money then get the McLeod flywheel. You might want to pm amped for a good price.

 

[MickeySaleen]

Ive been hearing the new edge flywheel will not hold when the car sees 6500-7000 rpm...anyone have anything to say about that?

 

[TommyG]

Here's a pic of my RST when used with a Fidanza flywheel. It was still able to hold 500+ rwhp even with the reduced surface area. When I went to a 26 spline for my 6060 I decided to get the McLeod flywheel. If you have the money then get the McLeod flywheel. You might want to pm amped for a good price.

Awesome picture. That is exactly the problem, and why the incorrect flywheel.clutch combo can cause premature failure after wear and tear.

 

[RRRoamer]

I pulled my trans after running it awhile you can see by the wear marks on the flywheel and clutch that about 1/3 of the clutch doesn't even contact the flywheel. So I would recommend getting a different flywheel to get the most out of the clutch. I know Lethal performance sells an inexpensive flywheel that will fit.

Agreed, but keep in mind that is 1/3 of the area of ONE disk surface out of FOUR surfaces. Which means you are actually looking at a total of about 8% reduction in surface area if you use the stock flywheel.