I have an '04 WRX Sti and the clutch started slipping earlier this year and I just got enough money to start buying my parts. I was looking to lighten up the Flywheel with a Fidanza 9.5lbs aluminum product. Does anybody recommend anything other than Fidanza?? I was also looking into replacing the clutch & pressure plate. Now I was told by Scott at SoG that the type of clutch I needed depended on the max amount of HP I intended to use in my car. So I got to thinking down the road what kind of mods were to come. I figured somewhere around 400whp Sti sounded about right. So my question, What clutch would anybody recommend and what products are available? I was also reading up on how performance can come from lightweight pulleys expecially on the crank pulley. I was looking at the AEM power pulleys kit and that didnt seem like a bad investment to free up somemore HP by reducing weight. If anybody has any suggestions or ideas or knowledge on the subject please feel free to shine some light on my problems. Thanks Tanooki
With any flywheel less than 13lbs you'll risk getting random misfire CELs because the ECU cant react as quickly as the car will rev. I dont know much about STI clutch options, I've got an Exedy organic on my WRX and it's very streetable. A lightweight crank pulley is good to help free up some inertia on the motor, it works exactly like lightening the flywheel. It's probably not a smart idea to run a lightweight crank pulley and a lightweight flywheel, it'll just make the ECU freak out even more. Underdrive pulleys free up power by cutting the power to the alternator and other small accessory pulleys. I'm not sure how much power they give you but I know friends who have put underdrive pulleys on their other cars and had problems with the headlights dimming a lot since the alternator wasnt working as hard.
Right now my ECU has been ECUtek'd by Scott Siegel at SoG ...and ive been needing to take it up there for some work since the new Cold Air intake. Those friends of yours with the pulleys that had problems? Was that on an Sti or other? Just trying to weigh out my options but thanks for the input
if u go too light, i doubt that a reflash will eliminate the problem completely since its more of a mechanical issue of having too little rotational mass
I would recommend doing something like the Perrin Lightened pully. It is lightened, but not underdriven, so it should not cause issues with Dimming Headlights and the like. I have also heard that on a Suby, you do not want to go with a Lightened Flywheel and Pully. It causes many problems as said above.
Aslong as you run a flywheel that is not too lightweight it should be fine. Something like a 9lb would be too small. But running a 14lb and a lightweight pulley you should be fine. I'm running a pulley set from ProECM that replaces the powersteering and alternator as well. Not underdriven and was $150 new.
What exactly is meant by underdriven pulleys?? I was talking with some people the other day and decided to skip out on the crank pulley and just get the AEM Tru Power Pulleys b/c they dont even include a crank pulley. I am now looking for a flywheel around 14 pounds. Whenever I ask anybody about suggestions for a clutch they always ask what kinda HP am I looking for in the long run.. I guess around 400whp would be a nice round number. With that said, Is Exedy a good clutch and PP combo?? Anybody have any recommendations for an 04 Sti???
This misfire stuff is somewhat irrevalent. I called Scott several times when I got mine because I was worried and he assured me to not worry about it. So I installed my WRX flywheel (we tried using the STi setup and it didn't work on the WRX so I got the one for the WRX) and I drive the car 2,300 miles before Scott did his meth magic on it. NOT ONCE did I throw a CEL and I have yet to throw one. I honestly think the stock ECU can't handle it but a good tune will. Scott's tunes are good enough and conservative enough to handle that which is why he told to not worry and get the flywheel. If you want my flywheel I have it and I am back home from San Francisco now. I can take some pics for you and all if you want but I assure ya it's new and the only use it has seen was to crank the car up 3-4 times only to find out that the pressure plate was hitting the bellhousing. The flywheel cleared beautifully but the upgraded PP didn't. $200 shipped and it's yours. It sells for $350 new and this one is new. Just get a clutch and pressure plate combo that is slightly more than what you will hit. Exedy clutch is good from everyone I know here.
Hey could you shoot me some pictures. How do you wanna transfer the cash?? email me @ Pro4269@hotmail.com with more info.
Yeah I'll get the to ya tomorrow as my cable to transfer the pics from my camera to the pc is at work.
I wouldn't go with a light flywheel for your daily driver. I put a 6lb aluminum flywheel on my autocross car, and it is harder to drive around, but makes the throttle response quicker. -- Brian
lightweight flywheel = racing only check these out though, unorthodox (11lbs) makes some good flywheels http://www.horsepowerfreaks.com/price/Subaru/WRX/performance/Clutches-Flywheels/Flywheels.
It doesn't make it that much harder. Just have to rev slightly more which will come natural to you in no time. Pics coming in a few.