2003 Msp possible clutch slippage, need advice.

[rickyfinch07]

Hello gents and ladies,
I have recently acquired a 2003.5 Msp, when getting on it hard it seems to have the clutch slipping in the top of second and third gear. However it doesn't happen every time. If I ease on it, and then gun it while granny shifting between gear I don't get any slip.
Could this be the clutch or something else, also at first I just thought I was partially engaging the clutch, but my foot was either on the floor or totally off the pedal and sometimes I get the same results. But only in the top of second and third gear.
Lastly I can't smell any clutch burning.
I drive a semi daily, I assure you I know what it smells like. (nasty as hell)
Thank you in advance for your advice or information.
Ricky

 

[rickyfinch07]

Anyone? Open to any advice or comments.

 

[hornsfan10609]

It feels like it is slipping? You may actually be experiencing the hesitation from the stock tune, it feels slower the more throttle you give it because the stock tune is far too rich for 7psi. If the clutch is slipping it would do it worst in 1st gear and the RPMs would spike when it slips.

 

[rickyfinch07]

Yes the rpm is definitely spiking, but again its intermediate, and I can only get it to happen when I am shifting while in boost, to third.
But it doesn't happen every time and I can't get it to happen in any other gears.

I have had a clutches slip before but it was in every gear all the time. Never intermediate.
Heck maybe my car is a special one with, two hundred more hp and able to smoke tires in second and third. Lol but I doubt it.
And again I can't smell the clutch slipping.
Thanks for the reply,
Ricky

 

[rickyfinch07]

I took it out last night, no slipping or spikes, did a couple of hard pulls into third.
Could temperature matter? The car was cold. Every time it slipped it was at operating temperatures.

 

[hornsfan10609]

I guess it's the clutch then.

 

[rickyfinch07]

Yea, it's definitely the clutch. Now the decision of doing it myself or trying to find a shop that's not going to kill me in labor.

Looking hard at the f1 stage one clutch kit. Is it decent?
I'm mechanically sound, but I have never done a fwd car. Erg.
Any thought on doing it? Specialty tools needed? I'm definitely on a budget so it'll probably be a weekend job for me. Just not sure if I want to tackle it alone.

 

[ap123]

its easy to pull the trans by your self. The only tricky part is lining it back up to install it, for that i needed some help im just not strong enough to maneuver it with limited space. the higher you can get the car up the better to give you more room to work. But at the very lest you'll need to lift the car enough so you can slide the trans out from under neath.

special tools you'll need a torque wrench to install the new clutch and if you remove the fly wheel. I also used a cherry picker to lift the transmission into position.

 

[hornsfan10609]

Pulling the trans is actually very easy on these cars compared to most. I could do it in about 45 minutes with a lift and air tools, at home your first time will take you a weekend, a day if you hustle. You will need a strong friend to help remove and reinstall the trans. I recommend the Exedy clutches, that is what comes stock and the stock clutches are actually really good in the MSPs, mine lasted 130k miles and wasn't completely done when I replaced it.

 

[rickyfinch07]

Hey guys I appreciate it. I'm pretty sure it won't take more than 6 hours. There is a pretty detailed how to that I went thru on here. And I am pretty sure I'll be just fine.
I'd like to get a exedy clutch, but I just can't drop $300 in a clutch kit right now. I plan for this car to be my economy car, so I won't do a lot of beating on it. I have read some good things about the F1 clutches, so I'm going to go with the F1 stage 1 and follow the break in to the 't'. And hope it lasts.

Again thanks for the help. I feel much better about going into uncharted territory for me now.

Ricky

 

[hornsfan10609]

Good luck, a clutch is something you don't want to go cheap with. You may save $100 now but will be spending a lot more if it fails prematurely.

 

[rickyfinch07]

Yea, I opted for oem replacement. RokAuto had great prices. I don't plan on upgrading the car to a crazy amount of boost or anything. So this one should last me.
Btw, I went with Sachs, I used to sell their product, and have used them in a couple of built mustangs. I know it works.
Again, thanks guys

 

[destineal]

Where's that detailed thread you spoke about?

 

[rickyfinch07]

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...e-Install-Tranny-and-LSD-or-disassemble-gears

 

[hornsfan10609]

I hope they make the correct MSP replacement clutch and not just a protege replacement clutch. The MSP has a higher clamping force for the clutch disk (1350ft. lbs vs 1150) because the regular protege clutch would slip when they were developing the MSP.

 

[rickyfinch07]

Yes its the Msp. Not regular protege. Different part numbers and Msp disk is thicker.

 

[hornsfan10609]

Cool, didn't want you to have the same problem as before.

 

[rickyfinch07]

Thanks man. I decided to go with Sachs, oem style clutch kit.
I actually just don't have time right now to do it. So I'm paying a shop to do it. >< but he is also changing my exhaust manifold gasket, it just started leaking, as well as changing the shifter bushings. After that gets don't I'm going to do some cosmetic stuff and add two 12" subs. The stock 8" might give way to a 10".
But I'm rambling, thanks guys