ECS Tuning RA4 Flywheel + Southbend Stage 3 S4 clutch

[juju4uofa]

I wanted something as strong (if not stronger) than Southbend's Stage 4 and 5 setups for my A4, but with a little less pressure plate loading. So, I went with an ECS tuning RA4 flywheel (S4 flywheel with A4 crank bolt pattern) and a Southbend Stage 3 S4 clutch (OEM RS4 pressure plate). Anyway, the setup will be installed Thursday but I was curious if anyone else has gone this route and if so, their impressions.

[juju4uofa]

Well, I was hoping I wouldn't be the only person to reply to my own thread but oh well. We finished the clutch yesterday and so far I have absolutely no complaints. The stock flywheel weighs 24.5lbs and the ECS flywheel weighs 13.5lbs. I wasn't expecting this much difference and was quite nervous at how much the gear box was going to "chatter" and if driveability would diminish. Luckily, the "chatter" is minimal. It only occurs with the AC on, and if the windows are up it cannot be heard. Also the driveabilty is unbelievably good. The clutch feels only slightly more "grabby" than stock but the engagement seems very solid. I've got about 200 miles on the setup so far and have gone to WOT several times, shifting somewhat conservatively. I want to wait about 500 miles or so before I try any type of launch. I'll repost on this thread after I've launched the car.

Also, the engagment is now about 2 inches off the floor!!! It's such a relief (for me) to no longer have a clutch that releases at the very top of its stroke.

One note for anyone who may install this flywheel: There is a shim supplied with the flywheel that has the same bolt pattern as the flywheel. However, there are no instructions telling you to put the shim between the flywheel and crank or flywheel and bolts. We looked up the OEM flywheel in a parts manual and it only shows a shim for automatic transmissions. We thought the shim could be used for spacing between the flywheel and crank for the starter to flywheel relationship but we weren't sure. We finally decided the shim goes between the flywheel and the bolts to protect the surface of the flywheel (even though the flywheel is steel). Anyway, I searched for this info and couldn't find it so hopefully the next person will find this thread.

If you have any questions about the setup or its performance, please ask.

[Mawhitey]

When i put my gripforce clutch on, it came with the same type of shim,but i found that there wasnt enough thread showing for my liking on the flywheel mounting bolts.( i used the Corrado G60 ones)

I emailed them and they said i didnt need to use it for my application,but if i were to use it i would have placed it where you did

[UN-PIMP-Z-A4]

With southbends they are grabby until they get broken in then they feel as smooth as stock

[Kyle H]

With southbends they are grabby until they get broken in then they feel as smooth as stock

Good to know that it wasn't my launching at the strip making my clutch feel like that.


I liked the grabby feeling though...

[juju4uofa]

Well, I successfully launced the car a couple of days ago. The clutch seemed to have absolutely no issues acquiring more grip than my four tires could :). Looks like I'll be at the drag strip friday night!

[onemoremile]

Sounds like a very nice setup.

[IglooMan]

I ordered that set-up about 3 weeks ago. Waiting for them to get stock in. Glad to hear the discussion on the shim..I would be asking the same question about it. Obviously you went with the aluminum flywheel. I went with the 1040 option, as I need a bit more weight for the diesel application.

[juju4uofa]

Nope, I'm afraid not. The flywheel is steel not aluminum and still only weighs 13.5lbs. So far I have no regrets though.

[b5v6]

what are your thoughts to date? check this thread:
http://audizine.com/forum/showthread...ght=ra4+clutch
makes me want to go your route with the ecs flywheel and southbend s4. what was your total cost?