Euro Drivetrain Mods

**Cranial** · 04-03-2008 10:51 PM

Here's the review I've been meaning to post up for a while...
Late last year, I needed to change my clutch. So while I was at it, I did some modding to my drivetrain:

1. Lightweight flywheel (custom ground)
2. Exedy heavy duty clutch
3. DC5R LSD
4. J's Racing 5.1 final drive

The following is only my subjective feelings about these mods, I have not dynoed nor tracked my car since the mods.

The heavy duty clutch and flywheel combo works well but the clutch can be quite "sticky" meaning a smooth 1st gear launch is not easy without piling on some revs (~2000rpm). Below that, there is quite a shudder. In terms of acceleration, it's hard to tell as I changed my final drive at the same time (which in my opinion, does more than the flywheel in regards to acceleration).

The LSD is definately a good mod. Before it, there's this uneven right hand bend that I would accelerate hard through, and all I would get is understeer and wheelspin. Now, I can power through like a champ. The difference is quite dramatic in such circumstances where an LSD is useful. With normal everyday driving however, the presence of the LSD cannot be felt, and its usefulness under normal driving is questionable (yes, it's quite effective in the wet as well, but ultimately on the street, the tyres you have is of utmost importance).

The final drive gear set... probably has made the most acceleration difference in view of the other mods. It quite simply allows me to rev to the redline really quickly. But of course, with the change of the ratios, my top gear speeds have also changed. 1st redlines ~50kmh, 2nd redlines ~88kmh, 3rd... I haven't tried. What it does mean is that to get to 100kmh, I have to change to third gear - losing some precious time whereas a stock Euro can get to 100kmh in second. So getting to 100kmh to me seems quite similar to a stock Euro due to the gearchange, if only slightly faster. But I would be surprised if I haven't reduced my 0-400m times. Another thing to note is that my speedo is out of whack. My GPS would tell me I'm doing 110kmh, but my speedo would be showing 130kmh! My mech said its due to where the speed sensor is in the transmission and is due to the change of my final drive. So I have to be extra careful... AND I am racking up my odo faster than it ought to!

In summary, I am happy with the mods, considering I have no other performance mods whatsoever (eg no I/H/E).

**aaronng** · 04-03-2008 10:58 PM

If you did all the mods at once, how do you differentiate between the improvements from the final drive and the lightened flywheel?

BTW, how much was labour to install all those mods?

**Cranial** · 04-03-2008 11:09 PM

The flywheel I got was a custom grind, meaning its the stock flywheel ground down by a specialist. The total weight lost wasn't that much (I don't remember how much weight was shaved off, but I remember it wasn't that much). I couldn't afford to get one of the shelf at the time.

Labour? Hard to say, I'm good friends with my mechanic, and it was like a big package as I got him to put in a Cusco LAB II, Tein's, and some other misc stuff. He charged me one bill for all the labour, so I can't really categorise the tranny mods itself.

**aaronng** · 04-03-2008 11:12 PM

Do you mind me asking the total price so that I can estimate? A PM is fine.

**Cranial** · 04-03-2008 11:25 PM

I'll let you know once I find my invoice!

Has anyone else here got an LSD and/or changed their FD for their Euro? Or am I the only one at the moment??

**enkay** · 05-03-2008 06:39 AM

wow congrats on mods!!
im not sure of any aussies that have gotten an lsd or fd, mite be some.
but seen some americans do it.
damnit makes me want to get a quaife lsd now =P.. but still gotta wait for some of my parts from japan 1st

**EK Civic R** · 05-03-2008 07:48 AM

How much you get LSD for??
Was it new or used?

I'm looking at getting lsd as well..

**Cranial** · 05-03-2008 07:55 AM

My mechanic sourced a used LSD for $350.

**Chris_F** · 05-03-2008 07:59 AM

Very interesting, thanks for the review. The final drive should definitely help 1/4 mile times because you won't be changing into fourth just before the line

**Suntzu** · 05-03-2008 02:49 PM

Thats cheap for an lsd. id buy one for that.

Good review tho. Im pretty keen on LSD and lightweight fly. Dunno about a heavier clutch since ive only got a bit more power with I/H and mild jtune flash.

Changing final drive is interesting...