Hey everyone,
I have been having this problem since i bought the car. After reading some others problems with lightweight flywheels and aftermarket clutches, i thought id get some opinions on my personal problem.

I have a lightweight flywheel (not sure on brand, receipt only says lightweight flywheel) and Competition Stage 3 Kevlar clutch kit. It was installed by Touge factory from the receipts. When i start the car, 5-10 seconds into idling, it will start a loud whirring sound. It will momentarily go away the first time i let out the clutch pedal and then slowly get louder again. When i take off in 1st, it will completely go away except a couple MRRRR's for a second or so at a time. It also happens on decelerating.

Is this the problem with the matching of the flywheel/clutch? I dont think it is the throwout bearing since it happens when clutch is suppressed/released.

Other question: If I replace the clutch with stock (i hate the stg3 on it, grips way too hard for a DD), how much power can the stock clutch/flywheel setup handle? I dont plan on building a monster since for now its a DD, but i would like to do cams at least in spring.

Thanks guys, I love learning here btw, tons of awesome information.

 

Sounds like it's probably your input shaft bearing. Seems to be a common failure point.

 

This isnt my strong point, but when the clutch pedal is pushed in, the input shaft doesnt turn, so there shouldnt be noise, correct?

 

Maybe dry TO bearing.

 

As its my DD and im about 200 miles from my tools/garage, i'm trying to pin this down to as little possibilities as i can before i try and drive and tear it apart to fix in a weekend.
I considered the TO Bearing as well until the sound didnt change when pushing in or letting off the clutch, when the TOB would cause the noise (engage of clutch) if i am thinking correctly.

I have heard of subarus (previous car) having a problem with noise and flywheels not matching well with clutches.

thanks for ideas though so far guys!

 

Is it a high pitch sound when engaging and disengaging the clutch?

 

best thing to do to help troubleshoot this is record the sound it makes while engaging/disengaging the clutch....as you may suspect it being the throwout bearing I have seen people who could not detect the change in noise from inside the car... it might help to have someone else release the clutch while you are standing outside the car since its more audible.. of course this is if you have not already done so.

 

bumping, for the last couple days ive tried to get some audio of it, but the sound is deep enough that you cant hear it through the microphone different enough than the idle.

For what its worth, i dont think its the TOB because of these two additional reasons:
When i turn the car off (neutral, parking brake on), as its spinning down i hear the same noise, just a quick vrrrr.
when its whirring at idle, if i let off the brake and then press it again, the sound goes in and out with the movement of the car (that slight rock when you let off/on brake on a tiny incline). When the car stops moving, the sound goes back to its normal whirr.

I honestly hate the feel of this clutch, anyway. I want to replace it but unless its mutilated it seems like wasted money to me. Other than this noise the car runs great.

 

Have you tried to adjust the clutch peddle?

 

If you are referring to the feel of the clutch, its just not the type of clutch i want for DD. it grabs pretty hard, and for stop/go traffic on interstates and in town, it really sucks. nothing like winding it to 2500+rpm at a stop light or traffic to keep it engaging smoothly.

I will try and get a video soon, I just have to start recording when i start the car and hope it randomly starts the whirring noise on that start-up. I have like 7 blank videos, and every time i forget to record, it does it :| . I want to get the video before i start it so you can hear the change in pitch, or you wont differentiate from the bad phone microphone.

thanks for the help guys, ill bump it when i capture the sound!