Need Advice on Clutch

[geeky]

Hey guys,

Well the need to change clutches is coming soon and I'm trying to figure out which one to buy.

My modifications are:
- K03s Turbo
- GIAC Tuned ECU
- FMIC
- Open Filter Intake
- Test Pipe (planned within the next few weeks)
- 2.5" Custom Turbo Back (planned within the next few weeks)

I'm currently using the stock clutch and it still grabs, but I would like to upgrade as i strongly believe in the motto "a stock clutch is designed for stock power" so some suggestions for clutch's would be awesome.

I'm currently looking at this one due to the price, but don't know about that CQ so please let me know. Thanks.

[ghost6303]

stay away from ebay for clutches. you can get a nice southbend stage 3 clutch for not much more money, and have the peace of mind that if something goes wrong with the clutch, you can get it warrantied and replaced. ive also never heard of "F1 racing" and i doubt they are an actual company with any sort of reputation.

[festerfm]

i just got my clutch from ebay... went w/ the xtd stage 2 setup.. i have just about al lthe same mods you have. stg 2+ apr, but i got the clutch and flywheel kit... i priced the southbend kits and where as southbend is the best way to go if money were no option, it's still like $450 or so... add a new flywheel to that and now u'r talkin almost a thousand bux for the kit... i got my clutch kit from ebay.. just do a search for "a4 flywheel" and u'll see the XTD kits for b5 and b6... i got my kit over the summer for under $500 and it comes w /12 lb single mass flywheel as opposed to u'r 26 lb dual mass stocker... this is just my $.02.. if cost is not an option, go with southbend...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-...3A1|240%3A1318

that's the kit i have for my b6... same price as i paid 6 months ago...

[pac1085]

Here's some advice:

spend some money and do it right the first time instead of cheaping out, and having to do the job twice which would end up costing more in the end (unless, of course, you're doing the work yourself and you love to pull the transmission out..)

[mike-2ptzero]

The clutch in the link is either just pretty much a stock clutch painted blue or just equal to a stage 1, SB stage 1 cost under $400.

[Alex/AWE]

A clutch is not something you want to skimp out on.

Buying one on eBay may save you a $100 bucks now, but what happens if it starts slipping after a few thousand miles? You have to pay a mechanic a few hundred to remove and replace it with the higher quality clutch you should have purchased to begin with.

Even if you DIY, its not a fun job and something I would prefer to only do once.

Take a look at this Southbend Clutch we have available as part of our Blow Out Sale.

http://www.awe-tuning.com/pages/shar...n&IL=clutchnfw

We have sold Southbend clutches for years and have been extremely happy with their quality and service. It costs $150 more but you will get the piece of mind knowing you have a product that will last. Search the forums for peoples impressions of their Southbend products.

[djwimbo]

Everybody is pretty much in agreement.
Spend the money on a quality clutch now, and avoid a hassle or added cost down the road.

I've been very happy with my SPEC, but Southbend is one of the most popular in the 1.8T world.

Depending on your long term goals and driving style, you would be fine with a stage 2 clutch. There's no need to go bigger unless you want to put a big turbo on down the road. NTM it's less expensive(now) if you buy only what you need, not what you think you might need.

[geeky]

thanks for the info guys. I'm just trying to figure out the best bang for the buck and would be buying a Brand Name off of ebay if i did go that route. As for the SouthBend clutches, i was just looking at them and definietly can not afford something like that, at least at the moment, so i guess i'll have to start saving up.

As for my long term goals, I'll be running what's listed in the first post until the turbo or motor goes, then i'll go BT. But i have a LONG time before that happens. Is there a link to "SPEC" and would it be smarter for me to get a puck design clutch?

[mike-2ptzero]

thanks for the info guys. I'm just trying to figure out the best bang for the buck and would be buying a Brand Name off of ebay if i did go that route. As for the SouthBend clutches, i was just looking at them and definietly can not afford something like that, at least at the moment, so i guess i'll have to start saving up.

As for my long term goals, I'll be running what's listed in the first post until the turbo or motor goes, then i'll go BT. But i have a LONG time before that happens. Is there a link to "SPEC" and would it be smarter for me to get a puck design clutch?

Puck is basically a "drag racing" clutch and is very aggressive. If you aren't making plans to make 400+whp and drag racing it often there really isn't a reason to go with a puck clutch.


Spec clutch

[ghost6303]

if this is your daily driver and you arent going BT for a very long time, a puck clutch is going to be no fun. they hold a ton of power but the harsh engagement sucks in any kind of stop and go traffic. SPEC clutches are a good brand name, but i think they are going to be similarly priced as southbend, if not a little more. but seriously if your having trouble spending 400 bucks on a quality clutch vs an ebay no name, you shouldnt be looking at big turbos.

spec clutch: http://www.034motorsport.com/product...roducts_id=590

vs
southbend : http://www.034motorsport.com/product...ducts_id=13868

[geeky]

Its just at this moment in time that im having a problem getting $400 for a clutch as i was in a car accident two months back and havent been able to work due to back problems and finally got cleared to start working again starting this week so i've been low on funds for a while.

[pac1085]

you said in your first post that your stock clutch still grabs, it sounds like you're just looking to upgrade to upgrade. i wouldn't consider the clutch you linked to be an upgrade to the stock clutch.

stick with what you have for now until you can save enough money for a real clutch. The stock clutch can hold more than stock power. I was running K04 PC-16 tune with the stock clutch with no problems.

keep in mind that chances are you'll need to either replace or resurface (if you can find a place that can resurface a dual mass flywheel) too.

or...if you really need to replace your clutch now, hold off on your 'test pipe' and '2.5" exhaust', put a real clutch in, and then get that unneccesary stuff later when you can afford it. it sounds like you're just looking for 'cheap' upgrades to expand your mod list...

[B5A4Kevin]

make a test pipe. buy a southbend stg 3 or 4. and if you want a loud exhaust run open downpipe.

[mike-2ptzero]

keep in mind that chances are you'll need to either replace or resurface (if you can find a place that can resurface a dual mass flywheel) too.

That is the nice part about buying a Southbend Clutch, they offer free resurfacing of the stock dual mass flywheel. Only thing the person has to pay for is shipping charges there and back, so right around $40-$50.

[Jibberific]

or...if you really need to replace your clutch now, hold off on your 'test pipe' and '2.5" exhaust', put a real clutch in, and then get that unneccesary stuff later when you can afford it. it sounds like you're just looking for 'cheap' upgrades to expand your mod list...

dude i wouldn't really call an exhaust unnecessary.

[mike-2ptzero]

dude i wouldn't really call an exhaust unnecessary.

Why not? I think it is, but then thats why I dont run one at all.


Yes you would be right if the car didn't come with one at all or if it has a huge leak, but upgrading the exhaust is less important then a clutch that is slipping. Sorry but the car will run without an exhaust, but the fact is that it will NOT move under its own power without a clutch.

What I think Phil was getting at, is the fact that upgrading to a test pipe and better exhaust to increase power is less important then actually getting the power to the ground.

[Jibberific]

well i meant, i know it's not needed before the clutch, but i personally wouldn't want to be running a whole bunch of engine upgrades and a stock exhaust. and your car is a little different than ours haha.

[festerfm]

i looked at the southbend flywheels and stuff too.. it wouldnt be a prob if i could go a few days w/out a car.. but only having one car and it's not the season for the bike, i'd rather have a new flywheel.. and if u'r goin new, might as well go single mass... ebay clutch kit, $492 shipped w/ new single mass flywheel

[lucajS4]

I have the same setup stage2 tough.... I put a rs4 clutch from ecs tuning and used a different clutch plate stage1 from vast just trade him ur stock clutch plate and 50 bucks he'll give u a stage 1 plate....also goths some rs4 mounts it will be all good

[lucajS4]

lmao opps i was on my iphone i tought i was on the b5 s4 thread