WR1 Owners Club

Hello all, my 1 is going in for a gear box oil leak repair under warranty soon with the gear box having to come out, I've looked through the paperwork and I have loads of receipts but no new clutch yet (33'000) so will have this changed while the box is out, it's running standard power and will continue to do so while I own the car so what clutch should I go for?! And why price should I be looking at paying for it?! Any thoughts?! Thanks Richard

How long is a piece of string!?! My OEM clutch went around 26k IIRC. I had a WRX that had its original clutch for 70k miles. I've heard of WR1 with clutches being change circa 10k.

I think my uprated clutch (AP organic) cost around £550. A dealer selling a OEM clutch is going to pull your pants down. A specialist should be able to source and fit an OEM clutch for much less than a main dealer even though they already have the car in bits depending on your relationship with the main dealer.

The fly wheel is also a possible replacement job depending on the condition.

Ok thanks, I'm definitely going to have the clutch changed, the car is not going to a dealer, it's going to a gear box specialist quite local to me. I've heard about exedy make a good replacement to the standard clutch?! What's the score with the flywheel then?!

The fly is a consumable that wears. Some people get them skimmed, some people go lightened, I just replaced it with the clutch. Note, I'm not a techie so take more advice.

W1 KRB wrote:Hello all, my 1 is going in for a gear box oil leak repair under warranty soon with the gear box having to come out, I've looked through the paperwork and I have loads of receipts but no new clutch yet (33'000) so will have this changed while the box is out, it's running standard power and will continue to do so while I own the car so what clutch should I go for?! And why price should I be looking at paying for it?! Any thoughts?! Thanks Richard

Does it need replacing then? I can understand getting it done whilst the gearbox out but you don't have to replace it for the sake of it. My car is still on the original clutch at 60k and I should get a few more miles yet.

L

To be honest I have no idea until the box comes out, drives and feels fine still, but seems like a good opportunity

Sounds like someone has some money to burn, fancy sponsoring my car mods too?

I was quoted around the £1,000 mark from the main dealer to replace the clutch with oem parts. Third party uprated clutches start from 300 upwards and if you can find a subaru specialist to fit it you will cut your labour by around half.

For an aftermarket clutch I would recommend talking to Alyn at ASPerformance as his prices are good. For fitting I would recommend going to Autotecnica in buxton as he does an excellent job at a good rate.

If you want to supply clutch get in touch with Bob of Aztec Performance who supply after market parts at good prices. My clutch was from them, it is an Exedy OEM one. Also had flywheel skimmed and new dowels more as a precaution then necessity. You can also buy replacement clutch kits complete with new flywheel and thrust bearing if required.
Mike

Adam at Autotechnica replaced mine a few weeks ago, he supplied the Exedy OE equivalent clutch for £245. The bite on mine was extremely high on the pedal. I didn't know there was anything wrong til it went in for a service!

The killer is the labour to change it. You'll save in the long run if the gearbox is coming out anyway rather than paying the labour twice, but if the standard clutch is fine it's pointless, get the use out of it and change it when it's shot.

I think your idea of replacing clutch as gearbox is out is very sound.
Just checked my file. From Aztec, Exedy OEM £245 that was a year ago and you will also need a release bearing at extra cost.
Can also recommend Alyn at ASPerformance as he knows everything about subarus, can supply the parts and gives great advice.
One other thing I found was the heat blanket on the Prodrive cat was in tatters and you can't buy them separately. While the downpipe was off I wrapped it completely with with 2" Coolit Thermotec tape. It's a bit fiddly as need to keep it tight and also use stainless steel wire every couple of inches to hold it in place. I bolted mine to bit of wood to make life easier.

How the original should look

The downpipe

The old heat blanket from mine

Update on my 1 is the clutch has 20-25% remaining so no brainer to be changing it, also synchro in 5th and 6th need replacing (had crunch into 5 at high rpm).

Just had mine done. Exedy Organic Clutch purchased from Amber Performance in the sale at £275 delivered (bargin). Cost me £400 for fitting inc having the fly wheel skimmed. This labour cost may be more depending on garage. The guy who done mine is is someone we know and trust. But i tell you....What a difference!! Like a different car! Just wants to take off now!!.... Bit embarassing to stall it out the garage when i picked it up! Be aware it is very much heavier..My left leg is gonna be MASSIVE by the new year! £675 Total gives you an idea of cost.

Is the heavier clutch pedal due to uprated clutch as with the OEM one pedal is no heavier?

Yes it is but not sure about the OEM model...but at a guess id say its the same. To be fair its not that heavy just takes some getting use to. But its all good!

Got my one back now too, had the exedy oem clutch fitted and it feels great, called in a favour on buying the clutch and got it for £220, the cause of the oil leak was a cracked case from when it had a gear box repair from Cotswolds Subaru in 2009, looked like they had tried to get it off with a hammer, muppets, then tried smudging grey mastic all over the top of the box to seal it!! Had new case and also 5th gear, hub, and 5th/6th synchro, feels awesome now!! £900+vat, case was second hand but still a great price considering they fitted the clutch too, a1 Gearboxes in st Neots cambs, can't recommend them enough!

Thats a great price if you had the Syncro done aswell. Makes sense while their under there. Mine needs doing but didnt have the time needed car back quick. Will do it in new year.

Yea I thought so too, the garage I brought the car from stumped up half of that as well because the car was under warranty still, let's be honest we knew they werent gunna pay for it all lol!