Clutch masters stage 4 clutch with OEM flywheel

[alias747]

I have read several times on AZ that you need to use a LWFW or another special kind of flywheel with the stage 4 clutches from CM. However, I e-mailed a seller on ebay and he says that all CM clutch kits are made to work with OEM flywheels. I am really tempted to do this becuase I can get a stage 4 for 620 shipped, which seems like a heck of a deal to me. I hear this is a good clutch too. Thanks!

[DAP]

A true CM Stage 4 (pucked disc) won't work with an OEM flywheel. The disc interferes with the flywheel bolts.

If you want to stick with an OEM flywheel, you need a CM Stage 3/4 hybrid.

[alias747]

Ugh thats so annoying! I dont have a ton of money right now and I was hoping I could get something good for under 650 bucks, guess I am wrong. I am sure the stage 3/4 hybrid is going to cost more than 620 shipped. Dang it...

[alias747]

This is an email I just got from the seller when I asked about the compatibility issue:

This is the actual reply that I got from Clutch Masters .....

" The clutch kit that we sell part# 02-029-hdcbl will work with the oem flywheel .
this clutch kit is a 8 puck disc . This kit work the best for this application . "

IDK... Thoughts?

[espo4442]

check out south bend. I have heard great things about their products and customer service. http://www.dxdracingclutches.com/home.html

[alias747]

Yeah i have been hearing about them, but their stage 3 is like 750 plus shipping. I was so interested in the stage 4 from CM becuase of the price. I have heard good things about it too.

[Dr. Jekyll]

This is an email I just got from the seller when I asked about the compatibility issue:




IDK... Thoughts?

Yes, the 8-puck = the stage 3/4. That will work with the OEM FW.

[alias747]

Ok sweet, so is the CM Stage 3/4 8-puck clutch be a strong clutch that will hold good on my stage 3 and last a long time?

[TwentyValveB5]

I burned through the 3/4 in a year... on stock turbos.
Though, if you never launch/race it, you'll probably be okay.

[alias747]

I burned through the 3/4 in a year... on stock turbos.
Though, if you never launch/race it, you'll probably be okay.

God dang it, are you serious? What clutch am I supposed to go with!!?? I would have thought that would have been strong enough...

[blrx7r1]

I'm running that exact setup on mine. Resurfaced OEM and CM stg 4 (6-puck). Not sure where you guys are getting that it won't work???

[alias747]

I'm running that exact setup on mine. Resurfaced OEM and CM stg 4 (6-puck). Not sure where you guys are getting that it won't work???

Oh boy... Is there any consistent information?

[JaredVL]

I'm running that exact setup on mine. Resurfaced OEM and CM stg 4 (6-puck). Not sure where you guys are getting that it won't work???

No you aren't, because it just plain wont work.

The CM stage 4 in a 6 puck or 4 puck 100% will not work with the OEM flywheel. It really will only work with the CM LWFW that it was designed with. it will sort of work with some other LWFWs with mods but there are almost always problems.

[blrx7r1]

No you aren't, because it just plain wont work.

The CM stage 4 in a 6 puck or 4 puck 100% will not work with the OEM flywheel. It really will only work with the CM LWFW that it was designed with. it will sort of work with some other LWFWs with mods but there are almost always problems.

How are you gonna tell me what I have in my car??? I know what I ordered, saw it and saw it installed. You're crazy.

[Lets Race]

My buddy has a CM4 (not hybrid) with a stock (resurfaced) flywheel in his stage 3 A6. It's been in for a few thousand miles and works fine.

[JaredVL]

How are you gonna tell me what I have in my car??? I know what I ordered, saw it and saw it installed. You're crazy.

Because it doesnt work, as anyone else who has delt with a lot of these units will also tell you.

It has a mechanical interference. this is me telling you that you are mistaken about atleast one thing in regards to your setup.

[Lets Race]

No mechanical interferences over here. He used OEM flywheel bolts. Maybe CM changed their clutch yet again? Who knows...

[blrx7r1]

Because it doesnt work, as anyone else who has delt with a lot of these units will also tell you.

It has a mechanical interference. this is me telling you that you are mistaken about atleast one thing in regards to your setup.

OK, what actually interferes?

I bought this from ultrarev:

02-029-HDCB6-1 FX400 Clutchmasters Stage 4 Audi S4 2000-2000 6cyl 2.7L (6-puck sprung hub) $630.80 1 $630.80

And had the STOCK flywheel resurfaced. I was there when it was installed so I do know what's in my car.

[Lets Race]

Don't let Jared and the haters get to you man. Jared is just pissed that Clutchmasters dropped VLMSPEC like a bad habit.

[alias747]

OK now I am thoroughly confused... I would rather get a true stage 4 clutch with a 6 puck disc becuase I think it will last longer. But man, whats the deal here?

[JaredVL]

I actually wish they wouldn't list me as their stocking dealer, since I am not any more. No one was dropped.

[generationjdm]

I called CM and spoked to lewis, he told me they offer the stage 4 only in a disc style with pads like a puck but not in a true puck he also said the disc was ceramic and ment for the stock flywheel.... So who do you believe because now I'm confused again also..

[JaredVL]

So they changed the main production kit and it sounds like now only people like me who are awesome enough to have an inside line can get the old style. CM changes stuff all the damn time without telling anyone.

[Dr. Jekyll]

I called CM and spoked to lewis, he told me they offer the stage 4 only in a disc style with pads like a puck but not in a true puck he also said the disc was ceramic and ment for the stock flywheel.... So who do you believe because now I'm confused again also..

That would be what everyone is calling the stage 3/4 or 8-puck. To be technical it's actually a segmented disc, not pucked. They have, or at least used to have, 4 and 6 puck stage 4's, those wont work with the OEM flywheel because of the mechanical interference with the flywheel bolts like Jared said. On that same thought, I think someone people actually had the 4 and 6 pucked version installed and they worked for a little while. But they soon had problems.

[Dr. Jekyll]

And to clear all of the confusion up...

If you call up CM and ask for a stage 4 clutch for the S4, and specifying you are going to use the OEM flywheel (or non-CM lwfw) the clutch you will get is the 8-pucked (technically a "segmented" not a "pucked") clutch. This clutch is commonly referred to as a stage 3/4. Although CM is now just calling it a stage 4.

Not sure I can be anymore clear than that

CM stage 4 for the OEM fw = stage 3/4 = 8pucked = 8 segmented = segmented
All the same clutch, just different names for it.

The 4 and 6 pucked versions of the stage 4 will only work, AFAIK, with the CM lwfw because of flywheel bolt interference with the friction disk.

[alias747]

Ok all cleared up... But my question is still if this 8 pucked (segmented) stage 3/4 version can hold the power of a stage 3 car very well? TwentyValveB5 says he killed 1 in a year with k03's...

[Dr. Jekyll]

Installed mine in January, no problems holding thus far. Holding 400+ whp, with not a hint of slipping. No long term results though. And I don't launch or drag the car.

[generationjdm]

The segmented disc is the one I was referring to, this clutch is not to be used with an aluminum flywheel from he told me..

[ms4cd]

I know 2 people who had CM stage 4 with the stock flywheel. Not sure what does not work...

[Dr. Jekyll]

I know 2 people who had CM stage 4 with the stock flywheel. Not sure what does not work...

Read my posts. There are 3 versions of the stage 4 clutch. Saying "the stage 4 works with OEM fw" is being too general. You have to specify which version they have. 4 puck, 6 puck or 8-segmented. 8 will work, the other two will not.

I dunno about using the segmented version with an aluminum fw. Many people run this clutch with an aluminum fw. CM even sells their own lwfw paired with this clutch. I *think* what he means, is the fw surface can't be aluminum. The fidanza (which I have) and the CM use a removable steel (or some other stronger material) friction surface.

[generationjdm]

They said they only offer 1 style in the stage 4 which is the segmented disc

[Dr. Jekyll]

They said they only offer 1 style in the stage 4 which is the segmented disc

I guess they've changed things in the past 2 months. Ordered mine in January and there were 3 versions. Only the 4 and 6 pucked versions were advertised on their website. The segmented was not advertised anywhere (at least from what I could find) by CM.

[ms4cd]

I had mine since August, they only had one back then as well.

[alias747]

I had mine since August, they only had one back then as well.

So you have the stage 3/4 8-puck then? How has it been holding up on your stage 3 and how do you drive and stuff? Thanks.

[DAP]

If you're willing to give SPEC a try, I'm very happy with my SPEC Stage 3+ clutch and stock flywheel.

[alias747]

If you're willing to give SPEC a try, I'm very happy with my SPEC Stage 3+ clutch and stock flywheel.

Yeah it looks like the stage 3+ from SPEC can hold a crap load of torque, but man that thing is 950 bucks, I don't have that much change laying around. Most of the reason I am looking into the CM stage 4 is becuase it is 620 with free shipping on ebay.

[ms4cd]

So you have the stage 3/4 8-puck then? How has it been holding up on your stage 3 and how do you drive and stuff? Thanks.

I was told it was a stage 4. It chatters on take off a bit (shaking) but overall driving is not bad at all. My car does not get beat on so I cannot tell you how it holds up but, PinoyS4 ran 11.5 with this same clutch!

[ms4cd]

Oh and I got mine from ultrarev for the best price around...

[alias747]

Oh and I got mine from ultrarev for the best price around...

I thought that you usually only get chatter when you use LWFWs. 11.5 is SICK though!

So who is ultrarev and what price did you get it for?

Thanks bro!

[ms4cd]

No chatter will be ther regardless of the flywheel. I have another frind with a stock flywheel and the stage 4 disc and it still chatters.