Project MX-3 - STEP 1

Installation Of CLUTCHNET Clutch Set



As you can see from the pictures this is a nice looking clutch set. This is the clutch set we recommend for street use. There are double spline pressure plates and other styles of clutch disks available for racing use. This clutch will improve your shifts dramatically over the stock setup. The clutch pedal feels just like stock but the clutch hooks up much better. The tires spin shifting into second gear now on our project car.



Changing the clutch on the MX-3 is a somewhat long, sometimes difficult procedure that took two of us about 8 hours. Of course we were not being paid by the hour so we were not in much of a hurry. We encountered a few items which may be sticky points for some people. The axle shafts were difficult to pull from the wheel hub (FYI: the wheel hub nut is 32mm). We ended up leaving the axel in the hub and removing the hub assembly from the strut base (knuckle). This gave us enough space to remove the axels from the transmission. There is not much clearance to remove the tranny which means it is a difficult to pull out. We lowered the tranny to the ground and pulled it out from the front of the car. From that point on the process is fairly straight forward.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when planning for this upgrade:

• You'll need to have the flywheel resurfaced which costs around $40-50.
• You'll need a new throwout bearing, about $35
• You'll need a new pilot bearing, about $15.
• This is a good time to change the fuel filter. It is very easy with the tranny out.
• You'll need axel/tranny seals if you damage them removing the axleshafts pr transmission.
• You'll need 3 quarts of 75w-90 transmission fuild. We used Valvoline synthetic.
• You'll definately need a torque wrench, don't just hand tighten to whatever feels right.
• Plan on the job taking most of a day. Start early if you want to finish the same day. It will probably take a few hours to get your flywheel resurfaced.

It will take a while to adjust to the new clutch. Slight stuttering or whining is not unusual during the break-in period. This is a performance clutch and you will experience slightly rougher shifts, especially at first.

Summary: This is a relatively difficult mod but one that is worth the time involved. The MX-3 is much quicker now and more responsive with the Clutchnet performance clutch set installed.


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