Clutch judder at low revs

Technical Area Engine, Transmission, Exhaust etc
1
  1. My model of MX-5 is: 2011 NC 2.0
  2. I’m based near: _Doncaster
  3. I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: __Am experiencing clutch judder at low revs after installing the Exedy organic stage 1 clutch and flywheel kit
  4. Am currently running it in (40 miles in)
  5. Last year I had the BBR super 200 installed with re-map etc
  6. I’ve been advised by the mechanic installing the clutch that it’s possible the lighter than OEM flywheel is conflicting with the BBR map?
  7. Have tried ringing BBR but no response from them as yet.
  8. Has anyone come across a similar problem and if so what’s the fix please ?
2

Your mechanic has a good point. The engine dynamics will have changed.

If you are running it on regular 95 you might find a big improvement on 99.
Sometimes the high performance maps are more tightly tuned and less tolerant of lower octane fuels. I assume the knock sensor is included in the mapping?

Mapping is an interesting topic for some, terminally boring for others!
I’ve found with older cars (eg my brand new Vectra-B had pinking, judder etc) that a high octane fuel, eg V-Power, cures almost all of their low-rev flexibility problems because of an inadequate map, with the side bonus of about 10% better mpg.

3

I’m at a bit of a loss to be honest.

Have spoken to Neil at BBR who is adamant it’s nothing to do with their map. By contrast I’ve read and heard a few people putting similar issues with a lighter flywheel down to a map.

Just to muddy the water even more there’s a strong burning smell when it’s in reverse and you try to drive backwards slowly slipping the clutch because of the judder. Smells distinctly like clutch burn but again the mechanic who installed suggest it could be grease burning off …

I can’t find any other group members suffering the same issue and over the years it appears a few have run this clutch and BBr combination

4

Had a clutch start slipping at high revs when I mapped an AudiTTS and cured by installing dual mass and clutch kit.
Don’t know if Super200 is stage 2 or 3 but a stage 3 clutch might work. Hopefully someone here would know.

5

I don’t have an upgraded clutch just a new one but, for me, a combination of 1000 miles of motoring burnt off the of bit grease so no more fumes, high octane fuel and tightening up the loose lower gear box bolts have cured my cars clutch juddering. Its worth a try.

6

Thanks for the reply …some of that I can relate to.

Anyway the really good news is that a fellow MX-5 specialist suggested adjusting the clutch pedal as the symptoms were consistent with it being slack.

Indeed there was and without knowing exactly how it works with the master cylinder, making this minor adjustment has cured 90% of the issue and everything is working a million times better.

The end result is still a tiny bit of judder but the character of the car has changed and the lighter flywheel and gear engagement has really enhanced the BBR super 200 package