2018+ Clutch Replacements All Have Aluminum Flywheels?

[Fat_Joe]

I have noticed that it seems like all clutch replacements for a 2018+ mustang all come with lighter flywheels that are aluminum. Why is this the case? The OEM duel mass flywheel is steel but every manufacturer seems to use a single mass aluminum flywheel to replace the OEM one. Any one have experience with drivability issues? I am looking at installing a RST McLeod clutch w/ aluminum flywheel.

Also, on a 2019+, does having a lighter flywheel affect rev match??


Update: Installed a RST McLeod clutch with the aluminum flywheel and a new throw out bearing. Now I am 200 out of the 500 miles through the break in period

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[lo-fi]

Typically you're going to get a bunch of chatter/roughness at idle with a lighter flywheel and on the street, IMO, that sucks. I will not, unless I personally drive someone else's car which is using a lighter flywheel, move to a lighter flywheel. You had better know exactly what you're in for before you make the move. I'm sure others will chime in who have done it.

 

[NGOT8R]

I have a Ram Pro Street twin disc cerametallic clutch in my 2019 Bullitt. The car drives great and pedal feel is great as well. I have no issues with rev matching either.

It has also held up very well to 7000-7900 rpm launches and road trips.

Given that you are considering the RST clutch, I would assume you’re not going to be drag racing? I personally recommend going with a cerametallic clutch, which will be able to take more heat and abuse than an organic clutch (should you ever decide to race the car).

 

[Fat_Joe]

Typically you're going to get a bunch of chatter/roughness at idle with a lighter flywheel and on the street, IMO, that sucks. I will not, unless I personally drive someone else's car which is using a lighter flywheel, move to a lighter flywheel. You had better know exactly what you're in for before you make the move. I'm sure others will chime in who have done it.

Those are my concerns too. I am wondering if the aluminum flywheel will cause issues with drivability. I do remember driving a mustang with an aluminum flywheel and it would stall out easier.... Had to give it more revs to get it going. It seems like all 2018+ clutches come with aluminum flywheels and I may have to adjust the way I drive if I go aftermarket

 

[Fat_Joe]

I have a Ram Pro Street twin disc cerametallic clutch in my 2019 Bullitt. The car drives great and pedal feel is great as well. I have no issues with rev matching either.

It has also held up very well to 7000-7900 rpm launches and road trips.

Given that you are considering the RST clutch, I would assume you’re not going to be drag racing? I personally recommend going with a cerametallic clutch, which will be able to take more heat and abuse than an organic clutch (should you ever decide to race the car).

Woah, those are some high rpm launches. Most I have done is a 4k launch which requires me to slip the clutch a little if I want to maintain traction. I don't really do any drag racing... more of a street car and sprinted driving (hence my issue with high rpm lockout going from 1st to 2nd or 2nd to 3rd). I was looking for an organic clutch for more of a stock feel. I head the cerametallic can be a bit grippy?? That is good to hear about rev matching still working great even with the lighter aluminum flywheel

 

[Eyesac]

With an RST, the possible chatter is from being unsprung. If you want a sprung clutch buy a sprung clutch. In regards to the light flywheel, I think the RST and Alum Flywheel set is something like 35lbs lighter than the OE. I feel like any weight savings is great, and you'll get used to it in about 20 mins. I was worried about chatter, there's very little (only at low RPM) and I've come to like the direct feeling of an unsprung clutch.

 

[NGOT8R]

Woah, those are some high rpm launches. Most I have done is a 4k launch which requires me to slip the clutch a little if I want to maintain traction. I don't really do any drag racing... more of a street car and sprinted driving (hence my issue with high rpm lockout going from 1st to 2nd or 2nd to 3rd). I was looking for an organic clutch for more of a stock feel. I head the cerametallic can be a bit grippy?? That is good to hear about rev matching still working great even with the lighter aluminum flywheel

At first the clutch felt grabby, but by the time I finished putting about 80 miles on it, I had gotten used to it. Now it is as smooth as butter on takeoffs. I don’t have to give it lots of extra throttle to get moving either. It operates like a normal clutch, but can handle some abuse.

 

[lo-fi]

At first the clutch felt grabby, but by the time I finished putting about 80 miles on it, I had gotten used to it. Now it is as smooth as butter on takeoffs. I don’t have to give it lots of extra throttle to get moving either. It operates like a normal clutch, but can handle some abuse.

No chatter or NVH at idle?

 

[NGOT8R]

No chatter or NVH at idle?

Initially, on the very first drive I did, but that subsided long before break-in was complete.

To be fair, I also rebuilt my tranny during the time I changed the clutch, so I’m not so sure what I was hearing was even an issue, but rather, normal gear rollover noise.

There is a video of the sound I’m referring to I. My MT82-D4 rebuild thread if you’d like to hear it and don’t mind sifting through it to find it.

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/mt82-d4-rebuild-thread.176240/

 

[Fat_Joe]

With an RST, the possible chatter is from being unsprung. If you want a sprung clutch buy a sprung clutch. In regards to the light flywheel, I think the RST and Alum Flywheel set is something like 35lbs lighter than the OE. I feel like any weight savings is great, and you'll get used to it in about 20 mins. I was worried about chatter, there's very little (only at low RPM) and I've come to like the direct feeling of an unsprung clutch.

That is good to hear, I figured there would be a little chatter as it's unsprung. But I think the benefit of possibly not having high rpm lockout would outweigh that con for me. Plus clutches are already expensive and the RST seems to be the budget friendly route, some things are going to excluded like having a sprung disc. The more expensive ones have it

 

[Fat_Joe]

At first the clutch felt grabby, but by the time I finished putting about 80 miles on it, I had gotten used to it. Now it is as smooth as butter on takeoffs. I don’t have to give it lots of extra throttle to get moving either. It operates like a normal clutch, but can handle some abuse.

Awesome, I may have to go that route in the future... I didn't really research them this time around because I always thought they shocked the MT-82 transmission and break them. Although, I was able to pick up a brand new RST for cheap from FB marketplace. It was about $800 compared to the normal price of 1300+ after taxes. But with the addition of the throw out bearing, new bolts, plus balancing of the flywheel/clutch. It's going to run me about $1100 in the end... I will be doing the installation so i get a little savings there

 

[NGOT8R]

Awesome, I may have to go that route in the future... I didn't really research them this time around because I always thought they shocked the MT-82 transmission and break them. Although, I was able to pick up a brand new RST for cheap from FB marketplace. It was about $800 compared to the normal price of 1300+ after taxes. But with the addition of the throw out bearing, new bolts, plus balancing of the flywheel/clutch. It's going to run me about $1100 in the end... I will be doing the installation so i get a little savings there

Free labor is always a huge savings. Good luck on the install. Will you be using a spacer with your slave cylinder? I’ve read that some do and some don’t with the McLeod clutches.

Calimer did tell me that my Ram Pro Street clutch was too aggressive and would break my tranny. However, what he didn’t know was, my tranny was being built and strengthened. In addition, I run a clutch slipper device, which is a tremendous help in preserving the driveline components.

With that being said, if you don’t drag race, I don’t think you’ll have any trouble with a cerametallic clutch if you decide to try one down the road.

 

[stang1087]

Awesome, I may have to go that route in the future... I didn't really research them this time around because I always thought they shocked the MT-82 transmission and break them. Although, I was able to pick up a brand new RST for cheap from FB marketplace. It was about $800 compared to the normal price of 1300+ after taxes. But with the addition of the throw out bearing, new bolts, plus balancing of the flywheel/clutch. It's going to run me about $1100 in the end... I will be doing the installation so i get a little savings there

Why are you planning on balancing the clutch and flywheel? It comes balanced from McLeod.

 

[Fat_Joe]

Free labor is always a huge savings. Good luck on the install. Will you be using a spacer with your slave cylinder? I’ve read that some do and some don’t with the McLeod clutches.

Calimer did tell me that my Ram Pro Street clutch was too aggressive and would break my tranny. However, what he didn’t know was, my tranny was being built and strengthened. In addition, I run a clutch slipper device, which is a tremendous help in preserving the driveline components.

With that being said, if you don’t drag race, I don’t think you’ll have any trouble with a cerametallic clutch if you decide to try one down the road.

I didn't even think I would need spacers for the slave cylinder. The spec sheet that came with the McLeod specified that the clutch is designed to work within the tolerances of the oem slave cylinder. I did go ahead and order a new oem slave cylinder as my car is at 40k miles so figured might as well.

Yeah, and at some point down the road I do want to have the transmission built.... but only if it breaks on me first.... It's a lot of money upfront to get the tranny built and the expense of the clutch too. So I am going to ride the stock tranny for as long as I can. The main issue I have is high rpm lockout and I believe the after market clutch would fix that for me

 

[Fat_Joe]

Why are you planning on balancing the clutch and flywheel? It comes balanced from McLeod.

That is what I thought too. But the installation sheet said that I need to balance the flywheel and clutch together and they are not pre balanced. I even called McLeod and they told me the same thing unfortunately. They were going to charge me 150 plus 60 each way so they could balance it. So right now it's at the machine shop getting balanced

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