Single Or Dual Mass Flywheel?

[sonicii]

I think my clutch is on its way out and I am considering my options for replacement.

I know most people would suggest to ditch the DMF and go with a single mass flywheel, but hear me out...

This car is my daily, I spend a bit of time in traffic and during this time I am shifting up at about 2,000rpm, which means most of the time the engine is sitting below 2,000rpm.

From what I have read, changing to a SMF will create more gearbox chatter and noise below 2,000rpm. At the moment, i can accelerate from around 1,100rpm without a hint of complaint or harshness from the engine (although I don't normally do this).

I don't want to have to keep the engine above 2,000rpm to keep the chatter under control and give a comfortable driving experience in traffic each day, so at this stage i am thinking of going with a new LUK DMF and Exedy clutch. But since I have never had the chance to drive, or even be a passenger in a V35 with a SMF, I am just chasing everyone's opinion given my situation.

Thanks in advance.

[Seano350GT]

i had the Southbend clutch from CZP in the states, i believe Southbend are made by Exedy.

It's a single mass and from memory it did make a little noise at low rpm as a lot of aftermarket clutches do,

i'd google it and see some feedback on some personal experiences with the single mass, but i believe most of them will be noisy.

i have heard that the nismo clutch is quiet, but i am not entirely sure if it was a personal experience or not.

good luck mate

[sonicii]

Thanks Sean.

I have researched a bit, several people on G35 driver seem to like the JWT package for best driveability and closest to stock for noise/chatter issues. But all agree that any SMF will be noiser than the stock DMF.

My main hugdle is 'how noisy is it going to be for my regular commute to work and will it irritate me enough to regret the change'?

I am hoping to get an opinion from someone may have changed from a DMF to a SMF and drives in similar situations to me.

[Seano350GT]

whoops just realised i kept saying clutch instead of flywheel -.-

but yeah from memory when i was researching a new clutch/flywheel a lot of people were saying the same thing about the JWT and how nice it was to use.

the thing i liked about my Southbend clutch/flywheel is that it was nice and soft, it took a little while to get used to but it was very easy to drive with as my car used to have a stiff as hell exedy clutch in it originally that hurt my feet when driving barefoot lol..

what if you upgrade your sound system and drown the flywheel noise out? haha..

[scotty nm35]

Ditching the dual mass flywheel isn't recommended, it is similar to going for a solid centre clutch, they will both transfer shock and vibration through the drive train causing damage.

Unless you need to ditch it due to power increases...

[bigdr33gtst]

just did exedy hd clutch kit with single mass, much better to drive and cant even notice any noise difference. cost about $2700

[sonicii]

they will both transfer shock and vibration through the drive train causing damage.

Are you certain of this? all the research I have done suggests Nissan only decided to use a DMF for NHV and not for driveline reliability, and many people are using a Single Mass Fly for many years without any driveline issues.

I found this earlier when researching the options

'two types of gear noise that commonly occur when using a lightened flywheel on the 350Z or G35: 1) idle mode rattle (also called neutral rollover noise), which occurs when idling in neutral with the clutch engaged, and 2) burst rattle (or start-up rattle), which is heard when accelerating heavily at very low rpm. Although annoying to some drivers, the additional gear noise should pose no harm to the transmission.'

Either way, it seems to universally accepted that a SMF will be noisier, and since this is my daily, I don't think the increase in noise will offset the benefit it will give for me, so I am leaning toward a new DMF at this stage.

Anyone had any experience with LuK flywheels? they seem to be an OE supplier to many manufacturers.

[scotty nm35]

I went through the same topic with the RS4 Audi guys, we came to the decision if it aint a problem, why change it. If you don't plan to run more power there is no point changing from oem.

Do you think Nissan put it there just for noise reduction? It has more flex than the clutch springs allow movement. Good for heavy clutch dumps or people that have poor clutch control.

More important that flywheel selection imo is changing the spigot bush in the crank. Nismo do a roller bearing one but it isn't a good idea for the road from what I hear as they fail without re-greasing regularly, just a new bronze bush is best.

[sonicii]

Thanks for the input, I was going to go with the Nismo roller spigot bearing, but will just go with the standard bronze unit now.

Will probably replace the stock pivot ball too.

The other driving factor for a SMF is cost. A new LuK DMF is around $600-$800 alone. yet I can get the JWT SMF, clutch and pressure plate for around $750.

My first thought was just to have the stock DMF resurfaced, but opinions on that range from 'not recommended' to 'not possible', so I guess that is out.