Transmission Upgrades

"mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/" (mxxxxxm24) 04/09/2019 at 17:05 • Filed to: Arisu, Miatafications, Miata, Transmission, Flywheel

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After diagnosing my issue as either a pilot bearing or a throwout bearing (it ended up being the pilot), I decided to get a light flywheel and sports clutch to make the labor cost really worth it. Both pieces from 949/SuperMiata. The clutch a sport organic clutch designed for the 1.6l and the flywheel an 8 lb billet aluminum piece. Going with the 1.6l clutch and flywheel ultimately saves a few lbs of weight, which is what my build is ultimately focused around.

Transmission out be cleaned before reinstallation.

Stock flywheel 19lbs < aluminum flywheel 8 lbs

This weight difference itself would be significant, but being one of the most crucial components in the driveline this will be night and day difference from stock. Also worth noting the lighter flywheel will not do much to mask drivetrain noise. So some noise is a byproduct and for me a non issue.

New clutch and flywheel in Arisu!

After being car-less (not careless) for 3 days, I headed down with my buddy to pick up Arisu! Going with the recommendation from my mechanic, also installed was a new aluminum shifter bushing. It goes on the end of the turret in place of the plastic piece Mazda originally included. This part is from Mazdaspeed, made for Spec Miata racers. My thoughts on this to come another time.

With everything installed Arisu was lowered down from the lift and parked in front of the shop. After talking to the shop owner about cars for a... while, I was ready to head out. Then I mentioned I was planning a racing harness install and they happened to have exactly what I was looking for unused, that a friend of theirs had gave to them to sell. It was clearly meant to be and they gave me a good deal on it. That install will wait for my harness bar to arrive (regretting not getting the built in one with my roll bar).

My buddy had gotten bored of all the car talk (it had been a couple hours to be fair) and left by this point, but it was finally time to set off and drive Arisu for the first time in 3 days. First impressions were drastic.

After stalling (I hadn’t done that in a while), I drove off. The acceleration was quick. Revs went up faster and dropped faster as well. Clutch feel and engagement is so different now. Pedal travel is less. I have to be quicker and more precise on clutch release and rpms than before. Rev matching on downshifts are so easy now. It is traini ng my left foot to be more sensitive. This should be required from the factory.

Before = Truck; After = Sports car

I have more updates coming shortly... The weight reduction continues (bye passenger air bag) and I have the part that should fix my headlight switch. A 6 point harness install, and more to come!

Thanks for reading Oppo!

AestheticsInMotion > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ 04/09/2019 at 18:31

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That sounds great! Part of me wishes my clutch would go out

What harness did you go with, and are you planning on using it full-time? 

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > AestheticsInMotion 04/09/2019 at 18:55

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Lol c are ful what you wish for. It is dope though. The belt is  a  Schroth Profi II 2in 6 point. I will be removing the factory seatbelt. Cool thing about my seat mount is that I can attach the 5th and 6th points to it with no drilling.  It’ll be nice to have a restraint that functions.

AestheticsInMotion > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ 04/09/2019 at 19:02

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Nice, I like that belt a lot. That said I’d probably still drill and install a backing plate f or the sub strap just for peace of mind...

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > AestheticsInMotion 04/09/2019 at 19:10

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That’s not a bad idea for reinforcement.  The kit comes with these backing plate bolts.  One for each sub strap.  Really hoping the clip on hardware fits in my car.  It should...

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > AestheticsInMotion 04/09/2019 at 19:42

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Unrelated, but how did you reattach your passenger airbag cover after removal ? I’m thinking the lightest hinge I can find with  extra strong adhesive tape on one hinge and bolt the other hinge to the cover. But I’m not 100% confident in the tape to hold on the event of an accident.

AestheticsInMotion > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ 04/09/2019 at 19:47

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Strong m agnets attached with 20 lb tape!

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > AestheticsInMotion 04/09/2019 at 19:57

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Really?? You feel like it will hold and not knock out your  passenger if the worst happens?

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > AestheticsInMotion 04/09/2019 at 19:57

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Also what magnets?

AestheticsInMotion > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ 04/09/2019 at 20:22

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A single magnet the size of a quarter held a 20lb d umbell with ease. I used 4 magnets on the cover and 4 matching magnets on the dash. You could probably calculate how much force it would take to knock the cover off, but I’m not worried.

No clue where they came from, I had a bunch I'm my hardware drawer... 

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > AestheticsInMotion 04/09/2019 at 20:36

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That’s a good idea. I put on some Velcro temporarily . Your way would be a vast improvement on that lol. I’m sure I can find some magnets around Lowe’s or something.

How’s your Miata holding up?