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MG MGF Technical - Clutch gone - replace flywheel as well?

Hi,

looks like my clutch is finally gone after 100000 kms (rev'ing up happily in 4th gear without accellerating).

I'll have it replaced by a AP Racing Clutch, does it make sense to move to the PTP ultra lightweight flywheel at the same time?
The engine is a standard 120BHP MPi, with a Trophy throttle body, a K&N air filter element, metallic catalyst and performance exhaust.

Any reports/advice greatly appreciated!

Andreas
Andreas Holzhammer

A lightweight flywheel is always a good option for free revving up. :-)

Personally don't know anybody who has done this on an F, but somebody will enlight this...

Valter.
Valter

Think Dr Bell has changed the flywheel ... Doc ?
Gaz R

Gaz, I missed the opportunity by not thinking about it in time - d'oh, d'oh and tripple d'oh!

But I told Steve Childs, and he had precisely this done when he had his clutch replaced in his MGF - ie replacing the standard heavy fly wheel with a PTP item.

Is it worth it Andreas? We'll, in part answer to that, I'd say that I would DEFINITELY replace the flywheel if I were replacing the clutch (which, unfortunately for me, may be rather sooner than I'd have liked - but that's another story).

Steve found the replacement flywheel not to impede his progress at all (ie it wasn't too light) - and made the engine more response. Judging from the mods you've got already, I think that you'd appreciate the benefits that a lightened flywheel would bring (modest, but worthwhile).
Rob Bell

>and made the engine more response
and caused _everybody_ who sat in the drivers seat to stall the car the first time they tried to drive it ;-)
Will Munns

>>and caused _everybody_ who sat in the drivers seat to stall the car the first time they tried to drive it ;-) <<

LOL- I suspect that comment isn't that far from the truth Will - but the lighter flywheel is something that is easy for anyone to adapt to. :o)
Rob Bell

I certainly did, as apparently did every garage attendant who touched the car, but as you say, it's a driving style thing!

Will
Will Munns

If you have the clutch out you would be mad not to replace the flywheel(If the funds allow). I have a QED lightened flywheel in mine and it is fantastic!



All the best,
Duncan.
duncan dorrell

Ok, message received, the lightened flywheel will go in (given it will arive in time).

Now back to the clutch. I checked prices for the AP Clutch yesterday, but got an offer now for a Sachs Clutch at 70 GBP less!
Is it reasonable to save on these expenses, or does the lightweight flywheel does not play well together with the standard clutch?
Andreas Holzhammer

There shouldn't be any problem with the standard clutch/lightened flywheel combination.

In fact the standard clutch is pretty good. I seem to recall that Roger Parker said (and you can check the archives on this) that the clutch used on our cars is the same diameter/specification item used on the 2.0 litre T16 turbo engines - which have rather more torque and power than our MPis...

So whether you go for an uprated clutch or not depends on your driving style, and what kind of use you put your car too. As I do sprints etc, which involve plenty of standing starts (4,500 rpm, and drop the clutch...) I'll be going for an uprated clutch next time.

For fast road use, I'd predict that a standard clutch would be perfectly okay :o)
Rob Bell

How much are an AP racing clutch and a lightened flywheel ??

I might aswell have to replace the cluch in the not too far future :-(

Are lightened flywheels completely new items, or are they reconditionnned and modded ones ?
Are they well balanced ?
Fabrice

>>Are lightened flywheels completely new items, or are they reconditionnned and modded ones ?
Are they well balanced ?<<

Not sure how much these are at present fabrice, but the AP racing flywheels are completely new - and certainly well balanced (AP have a superb reputation - and they make brakes for a certain company we all know and love)

You could have your existing flywheel lightened - but how much this would cost, and how well balanced it would be are open to question...
Rob Bell

Fabrice, current prices I have are 159 GBP for the PTP flywheel (+VAT and shipping), 249 Euros for the AP clutch, and a lowly 175 Euros for the Sachs clutch.
Drop me an email if you're interested in a/the flywheel as well.

Rob, I couldn't find an "AP racing flywheel", but most pictures are similar to the PTP one (2.3kg lighter).
http://www.eliseparts.com offers a 3kg ligher flywheel at 150GBP, looks like the PTP as well.
Andreas Holzhammer

I *think* that they are one and the same Andreas (AP makes the flywheels for PTP?), but I meant to say 'PTP' as opposed to 'AP'... :o)
Rob Bell

Mind you, that (IMHO) for a best ballance you need to balance the whole package at once. Crankshaft, pulleys, flywheel, clutch.

Cheers, Valter.
Valter

Thanks for the offer, Andreas.
I am not yet decided for the flywheel...
And my clutch hasn't totally gone aswell.
Sometimes, it slips when in 5th gear on the motorway, when I push the pedal to the metal. If I accelerate gently, it's OK. And in other gears, it's OK too.
I don't know if doing "Roger Parker's trick" as explained in the archives would be useful ? (i.e. let the clutch slip with the handbrake on to level the clutch surface)
Fabrice

>>Mind you, that (IMHO) for a best ballance you need to balance the whole package at once. Crankshaft, pulleys, flywheel, clutch.<<

Completely agree Valter - but that's a process that's a "little" more involved than bolting on a new flywheel LOL! ;o)

Hmm, balance and blue print the engine... if only I had the spare cash!
Rob Bell

This thread was discussed between 14/04/2003 and 16/04/2003

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