{"id":12898,"date":"2024-05-06T11:31:37","date_gmt":"2024-05-06T19:31:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/corksport.com\/blog\/?p=12898"},"modified":"2024-12-30T10:34:54","modified_gmt":"2024-12-30T18:34:54","slug":"mazdaspeed-3-x-clutch-first-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/corksport.com\/blog\/mazdaspeed-3-x-clutch-first-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Mazdaspeed 3 X-Clutch First Review"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Many community members are asking, \u201cWhat clutch should I buy for my Speed3\/Speed6?\u201d or \u201cWhat\u2019s the best clutch for Mazdaspeed 3\/6?\u201d and there isn\u2019t a perfect answer because the right answer depends on your goals with your car.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While I can\u2019t say what the best clutch is, I can share my experience to date with my Twin Ceramic Rigid Disc X-Clutch<\/a> in my Mazdaspeed 3<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mazdaspeed<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

First Impressions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Opening the box I found a very well-packaged assembled clutch kit.  This included the assembled pressure plate, discs, and flywheel along with a new throw-out bearing, flywheel to crank bolts, and a nice alignment tool. XClutch also included some generic instructions – They certainly don\u2019t rival CorkSport instructions, but are better than most clutch instructions I have used.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mazdaspeed<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Getting into it<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After disassembling the clutch assembly, I found some nicely constructed components.\u00a0 The material fit and finish was great along with the identification of transmission vs engine side of the discus laser engraved was a nice touch.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Something worth noting:<\/strong> Some clutch kits come to you in separate pieces. This makes you 100% dependent on their instructions for the assembly process (and a lot of times those instructions are lacking), but with the XClutch the whole thing came assembled.  I like this because it gave me the chance to see how it was assembled and therefore made me more confident I would assemble it correctly on the engine.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mazdaspeed<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Now let\u2019s get the clutch on the engine.<\/strong> After disassembling the clutch kit, the first part to go on the engine is the flywheel after a quick cleaning of the machine parts and surfaces.  Using the provided hardware and some lock-tight the flywheel gets torqued down.  The flywheel was a perfect fit on the snout of the crank\u2026a little persuasion was needed which tells me the flywheel will be perfectly centered.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mazdaspeed<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next is the first clutch disc (make sure you can read \u201ctransmission side\u201d) then the middle floater plate.  Following that is the next clutch disc (and again make sure you can read \u201ctransmission side\u201d) along with the provided alignment tool. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mazdaspeed<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Tool<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So I want to take a minute to talk about the alignment tool.\u00a0 I\u2019ve installed many clutches in many vehicles throughout my life ranging from an OE replacement in my 92\u2019 Mazda<\/a> b2600i, Mazdaspeed3<\/a>, and a twin-disc in a Dodge.\u00a0 Every single kit came with the generic plastic alignment tool that doesn\u2019t fit great and flexes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But not X-Clutch<\/a>, their kit included a very nice billet steel alignment tool that fit snugs and did not sag or move when installed.\u00a0 This seemingly simple tool made a huge difference in the whole installation process.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mazdaspeed<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Back to the install steps<\/strong>; next up is the pressure plate floater plate.\u00a0 Typically this is part of the pressure plate assembly, but with the Xclutch<\/a> design, this is separate.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mazdaspeed<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Last is the pressure plate itself, which applies force to the clutch discs.\u00a0 The installation of this is slow and tedious, but important to follow.\u00a0 The hardware must be installed and torqued down evenly around the perimeter, much like torquing a wheel but with a lot more lug nuts.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

X-Clutch<\/a> has clear instructions on this so don\u2019t worry.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mazdaspeed<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bringing it back together<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So your clutch is all buttoned up and now it\u2019s time to attach the transmission to the engine.\u00a0 I\u2019ll admit this was a task I was dreading\u2026many times, I\u2019ve fought this process because the damn input shaft in the transmission just would not line up with the clutch disc and crank, but I was pleasantly surprised.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don\u2019t know if it was luck or if the alignment toll was really that perfect, but in one try the transmission slid right onto the clutch and aligned perfectly.  It was honestly shocking.   I can only hope your installation goes as smoothly.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mazdaspeed<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Now the review you have been wanting\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First impressions are great.  The peddle pressure is very similar to OEM, maybe just a hair stiffer, but is nearly identical so if you\u2019re worried about a stiff pedal DON\u2019T, it\u2019s cake.  The engagement point is around the middle right now, but I expect it to move up in the pedal stroke slightly as it breaks in further.  I like this, but this is a preference thing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engagement control is interesting.  Going from an ACT 6-puck ceramic to this is very similar in the \u201cgrabbiness\u201d of the clutch since they are both ceramic puck discs, but the X-Clutch I would say is a bit more aggressive.  This makes sense with the rigid disc design and the very high torque capacity\u20261,350 ft\/lbs!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So here\u2019s my suggestion and you can check them out here. Learn More<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you want a OE replacement with a bit more headroom for power then the Street single disc organic is going to be your closest bet.\u00a0 If you want good street manners but have more power to hold then the Street Plus twin disc organic is going to be your best balance.\u00a0 Lastly, if you are pursuing motorsports and high heat capacity then the Race twin disc ceramic will be your go-to clutch kit.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connect with us<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n