WRX flywheel with stock clutch?

dman · Post by **dman** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:02 pm

My engine is out of the car for repair. Flywheel is kinda 'usable' but in pretty bad shape (scorning etc) and not resurfaceable, clutch looks usable. So can I put used oem 02-05 WRX (anything else?) flywheel (that I could probably get very cheap) and keep the clutch I have?

skid542 · Post by **skid542** » Tue Mar 03, 2009 5:55 am

The stock WRX flywheel and clutch are slightly larger than the Legacy stuff, by only a few mm in diameter.

I *believe* you can use the WRX flywheel with a stock clutch, but not the other way around - i.e. stock flywheel and WRX clutch.

Obviously one thing you want to ask yourself, is the current clutch going to last long enough to make it worth pulling it all back apart to replace when it finally die?

My recommendation is clearly to just replace it all. That said.... I can totally appreciate trying to do things on a budge. Along those lines, I believe the Forester stock flywheel is cheaper than the WRX and should work. I know Doug V. ran it for a long time - some searching would probably turn up a little more info.

gijonas · Post by **gijonas** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 3:55 am

I got a mint wrx flywheel on ebay for like 35 bux,no brainer.

n2x4 · Post by **n2x4** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 4:34 pm

I don't want to come across as an a-hole cause I know you've been doing your homework lately, but I'm challenging a lot of what you said

:

skid542 wrote:The stock WRX flywheel and clutch are slightly larger than the Legacy stuff, by only a few mm in diameter.

Do you know that for a fact? This was a bad rumor that started here on the boards but it has been disproved.

skid542 wrote: I *believe* you can use the WRX flywheel with a stock clutch, but not the other way around - i.e. stock flywheel and WRX clutch.

It wouldn't matter, it'll either work or not work. And it DOES work. I've been running a WRX clutch on my stock flywheel for 30K miles with 0 issues.

skid542 wrote:Along those lines, I believe the Forester stock flywheel is cheaper than the WRX and should work. I know Doug V. ran it for a long time - some searching would probably turn up a little more info.

I'm pretty sure his was NA and was chosen for the heavier weight it offered. That flywheel will not work with a turbo trans - different style clutch is required and does not mate to an NA flywheel. If it was out of a Forester XT (the turbo ones) then it would be ok.

Post by **Legacy777** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 7:16 pm

The friction area for the WRX flywheel is larger than the turbo legacy. The actual flywheel dimensions are the same. Which I believe is what Lee was implying.

skid542 · Post by **skid542** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 8:11 pm

My God Nate! I can't believe you'd have the utter audacity to call my word out!!

I was not aware that it was only the friction disc that exhibited the increased diameter and not the flywheel itself. I was thinking it was the flywheel itself (though admitably I always wondered why Subaru would do something like that and how it didn't cause problems with the starter). Thanks though Josh for giving me the benefit of the doubt.

I also had not realized that NA flywheel will not work with a Turbo pressure plate. I know the clutch actuation is different but I thought the pressure plate had identical mounting patterns. And while I know Doug did/does like the Forester for it's weight and his drag racing, I also know he preached it for being cheap. Though it appears this is now a moot point.

So it appears Dman that I was wrong on a couple items and you should listen to Nate. He does know his stuff on 5mt's.

n2x4 · Post by **n2x4** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:04 pm

Legacy777 wrote:The friction area for the WRX flywheel is larger than the turbo legacy. The actual flywheel dimensions are the same. Which I believe is what Lee was implying.

It must not be much that I didn't notice it when I compared the old clutch to my Exedy WRX one. Also, when I did my clutch the entire flywheel surface was machined smooth which could also account for why my comparison showed no difference in friction area. I guess the only way to find out how the WRX clutch works on the stock flywheel would be for me to remove it and inspect. I don't exactly plan on doing that anytime soon unfortunately. 30K miles and still going strong though!

gijonas · Post by **gijonas** » Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:56 pm

I think that it is all a lie started by dimensional nazi's for their own amusement.From all of my comparisons I cant see any difference at all,if there is it isnt enough to bother anything.In fact i think i may start selling my extra legacy flywheels as WRX ones for the 5 dollars more that they are aparently worth

screemingbark · Post by **screemingbark** » Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:39 am

I know for a fact that a WRX pressure plate works with the SS flywheel. I have that setup on my SS with a stage 2 disk meant for the 91 Legacy SS. As far as the WRX flywheel being too big, it is a few mm too big. I have been told that it will work, but I'm not sure about it. Also the flywheels are different weights.

Suba-Ken · Post by **Suba-Ken** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 9:10 pm

According to Exedy ... their Stage 1, Stage 2 Thick and Stage 2 Thin clutch kits as well as their Lightweight Flywheels are EXACTLY the same part numbers and size for both the 02-05 EJ20T WRX and the 91-94 EJ22T SS.

Matt Monson · Post by **Matt Monson** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 2:07 pm

Just to add to the overwhelming evidence here, but I too have used a stock SS flywheel with an Exedy stage I clutch designed for the USDM WRX. I read all the threads warning me against mismatching them and then promptly ignored them. I never regretted it.

I've got both SS and WRX flywheels in my shop right now. I've never bothered to measure or compare them, but maybe I should and put this to death once and for all.

Post by **Legacy777** » Wed Apr 22, 2009 6:15 pm

I'd be interested in what you find Matt.

More than likely, the friction surface area for the SS will be a little smaller. Or at least that's what the FSM's I've read indicated.

Deride · Post by **Deride** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 1:26 am

I can confirm from bad experience tonight that a 02-05 wrx clutch/flywheel are identical surface area/mounting points to a stock tleg flywheel. Wasted $35 bucks getting a flywheel resurfaced that was supposedly for a wrx and it wasn't, then went back to my tleg flywheel and it fit perfect. Live and learn.... thats hot rodding baby. Oh and if the area is "smaller" its by a mm or two.

Deride · Post by **Deride** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:07 am

Ok took some pics.... this is the stock (un-resurfaced) tleg flywheel with 02-05 exedy replacement wrx clutch.... note the perminent marker dot.... hope this helps you guys.

n2x4 · Post by **n2x4** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 3:50 am

Good deal. I'm still running mine, no problems! Thanks for posting some pics.

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WRX flywheel with stock clutch?

WRX flywheel with stock clutch?