clutch or clutch + flywheel?

[CHICO2003]

My clutch is on its last leg. The trouble began roughly 500 miles ago (not coincidently enough, at the same time I installed the unichip) It has about 67k miles on it and (honestly) I haven't driven it hard... and am rarely in stop-in-go traffic. So... needless to say, this is pretty weak. But oh well.

I'm probably going to go with the Exedy Stage 1 clutch. It costs about the same as the 'stock' replacement (whatever that is) that the dealership quoted me so it makes sense. I was told to have the flywheel replaced at the same time. I'm wondering if that is truly necessary. That same dealership told me I could get by with having my existing flywheel refinished or something. I don't want to be cheap here.... always better to do it the right way. But I don't want to just throw away money on something pointless either. What do you guys think? Just buy the clutch or get both?

[mspHtown]

another heavily debated topic. people will say yes, others will say no. this xmas im putting in the exedy stage 1 and i will be machining my stock flywheel to lose a few pounds and it will be resurfaced. i do not feel like spending 3-400 dollars on a flywheel.

[BOOSTR]

No reason to replace it unless its damaged or you simply want to replace it with a new or lightened one. Its as simple as that when you are dealing with the mileage that you have. Dealer just wants to R&R and not have to resurface yours. Just get the clutch kit and shop around for an independent mechanic.

[CHICO2003]

thanks guys... as long as I'm able to drive up hills again, I'll be happy. no reason to waste money...

so what's the consensus on how much a new clutch should cost to get installed?

[kamon8404]

I got quotes from 400-600 when i have the parts. Depends on the shop.

[CHICO2003]

$350 for the clutch... and $400-600 for the labor. gotta love it! oh well... guess it beats being stranded.

[AcolyteMSP]

I found a pretty sweet deal, think im gonna order from here when i do mine.
http://***********************/mazdaspeed6.htm

650 for both

Not sure, but to me i would think flywheel would make a HUGE diff in our cars.
And if you change clutch you will need to have old one resurfaced for sure.
Do the new fw, live in debt like the rest of us! (drive)

[orng1]

The way I see it the flywheel is like your brake rotors. If your poor you try to get by with resurfacing them, if you can afford to and you want to upgrade you have that opportunity to now. You can get by fine with a stock flywheel just resurface it, if you want to make it better upgrade. I replaced the clutch a while ago and just resurfaced the flywheel.