What clutch and where to get it?

[adr3naline fix]

Is there a stickied or nice thread that gives me a complete layout of all the clutch options I could go with? If so, I missed it. (yeah, I used search! :))

I'm at 300HP, 20psi (Other components in my signature), and the ECS RA4 Stage 2 clutch I have in there lasted about 20,000 miles. I am looking for somthing that will hold up to the power, and not break the bank (as always, right?).

Can anyone point me to a place that has good deals on clutches? or maybe a model that would fit perfectly?




MUCH appreciated!

[njm23]

southbend, stage 4 sounds about right. i'd say contact mike hood (mike-2ptzero i believe) or southbend direct

[adr3naline fix]

That is who I was looking at, them along with SPEC, as they are the more reasonably priced of the bunch. Currently I have an "ultra-light flywheel"...of what make/model I have no idea, as I bought the car with it....so I am not sure what I need.

[njm23]

Yeah, i run the stage 4 Southbend clutch with an 11lb lwfw myself. I would say PM mike, he will def. help you get exactly what you need.

[mike-2ptzero]

That is who I was looking at, them along with SPEC, as they are the more reasonably priced of the bunch. Currently I have an "ultra-light flywheel"...of what make/model I have no idea, as I bought the car with it....so I am not sure what I need.

You will most likely need a clutch that will go with that flywheel that you have which is a 240mm for the RS4 clutch. So your choices are very small.

[adr3naline fix]

You will most likely need a clutch that will go with that flywheel that you have which is a 240mm for the RS4 clutch. So your choices are very small.

ah hey, I just sent you a PM as well.

So am I stuck getting another RA4 clutch? What are my options?

[amd is the best]

Southbend OFE all they way. I have used it in several different cars and I can vouch for a great quality product.

[mike-2ptzero]

ah hey, I just sent you a PM as well.

So am I stuck getting another RA4 clutch? What are my options?

Not suck using their product, just stuck using something that will fit that 240mm flywheel.

[adr3naline fix]

I just got off the phone with southbend, the guy is very good. $400 for the flywheel and $585 for a stage 4 clutch kit later I'm still spending a lot of dough. Any alternatives without hitting up eBay? haha

[djwimbo]

I just got off the phone with southbend, the guy is very good. $400 for the flywheel and $585 for a stage 4 clutch kit later I'm still spending a lot of dough. Any alternatives without hitting up eBay? haha

If you already have the 240mm flywheel, you can use a 2.7T clutch an pressure plate. No sense in changing the flywheel if you were happy with it before.

Personally I'm happy with my SPEC, but if your car has rings on it, nothing is cheap for it.

[mike-2ptzero]

I just got off the phone with southbend, the guy is very good. $400 for the flywheel and $585 for a stage 4 clutch kit later I'm still spending a lot of dough. Any alternatives without hitting up eBay? haha

I replied back to your email. You do not need to replace everything, you can keep the flywheel you have now and just go with a Spec 240 clutch setup.

[adr3naline fix]

I replied back to your email. You do not need to replace everything, you can keep the flywheel you have now and just go with a Spec 240 clutch setup.

I got a hold of jeremey at Spec and he said that the 579$ cluch package (most inexpensive route) would require me to purchase a stock 228 flywheel. I asked him several times if any of the kits would work with my 240 and he said I would need the 1049$ 240 clutch kit. What kit were your suppliers refering to? I think I need to call him back.

[djwimbo]

I got a hold of jeremey at Spec and he said that the 579$ cluch package (most inexpensive route) would require me to purchase a stock 228 flywheel. I asked him several times if any of the kits would work with my 240 and he said I would need the 1049$ 240 clutch kit. What kit were your suppliers refering to? I think I need to call him back.

The guy you talked to at SPEC must not have understood what exactly you needed.
If you're clutch shopping and already have a 240mm flywheel on a 1.8T, you can use the S4/RS4 pressure plate and friction disc. There's not much of a difference in pricing, and the larger diameter should help life and grip

[djwimbo]

Looks like $620 on SPEC's site, or $550 on South Bends site for something that'll work great and not be overkill.

EDIT: Depending on the material you want, those are both "Stage 1" clutches that will hold the power you're making.

[mike-2ptzero]

I got a hold of jeremey at Spec and he said that the 579$ cluch package (most inexpensive route) would require me to purchase a stock 228 flywheel. I asked him several times if any of the kits would work with my 240 and he said I would need the 1049$ 240 clutch kit. What kit were your suppliers refering to? I think I need to call him back.

You dont need to buy their whole 240mm kit to get basically the same flywheel you already have now. If you buy from them they are just going to charge you full pop anyway.

[adr3naline fix]

Looks like $620 on SPEC's site, or $550 on South Bends site for something that'll work great and not be overkill.

EDIT: Depending on the material you want, those are both "Stage 1" clutches that will hold the power you're making.

Ok now I'm kinda lost. Stage 1 from Southbend would not support my 305AHWP, did you mean stage 4? The model number K70205SS is what I am looking at, which says supports a lightweight flywheel...which would be able to utilize the current 240mm flywheel....right?

I've been so zoned in on clutches the past 3 hours I think I've lost my mind.

[adr3naline fix]

You dont need to buy their whole 240mm kit to get basically the same flywheel you already have now. If you buy from them they are just going to charge you full pop anyway.

So he's either mistaken or wants to make a bigger sale huh?

Southbend said that their stage 4 is 228 so it wouldnt work with my 240mm, so they say I need the whole 240mm kit ... yeah, I'm lost.

[djwimbo]

So he's either mistaken or wants to make a bigger sale huh?

Southbend said that their stage 4 is 228 so it wouldnt work with my 240mm, so they say I need the whole 240mm kit ... yeah, I'm lost.

He's not trying to screw you.

305AHWP / 0.78 = ~391bhp. On a 4cyl (or at least ours) you're not going to make as much torque as you will HP. I don't know why you would need a stage 4 clutch.

The 70205SS is made for the 228mm stock flywheel diameter. The 240mm flywheel is the diameter for the 2.8/2.7T clutches.
The 70205SS will hold the power you will make, but it would require you to use a different flywheel, since the RA4 kit is a 240mm.

Southbend 240mm (S4 kit) K70286 (straight from their website)
Stage 1 holds 400lb/ft and is $550 as advertised (Rally series)
Stage 2 holds 475lb/ft and is $650 ... (TZ series)
Stage 3 holds 525lb/ft and is $750 (OFE series)
Stage 4 holds 600lb/ft and is $825 (FE series)

SPEC: (again, straight from the site, S4 kits to fit the 240mm)
Stage 1 420lb/ft $620
Stage 2 490lb/ft $800
Stage 2+ 543lb/ft $840

[mike-2ptzero]

Ok now I'm kinda lost. Stage 1 from Southbend would not support my 305AHWP, did you mean stage 4? The model number K70205SS is what I am looking at, which says supports a lightweight flywheel...which would be able to utilize the current 240mm flywheel....right?

I've been so zoned in on clutches the past 3 hours I think I've lost my mind.

Correct. You need a setup that works with the 240mm flywheel and your 1.8t transmission.


BTW guys, have to remember that all of the ratings for hp/tq for the clutch setups is for a car that is rolling. If you launch the car the amount of tq that the clutch will need to hold increases nearly by 2 since the flywheel/pressure plate are spinning at a very high rate while the disk is sitting perfectly still and not making contact with the rest of the clutch. When the car is rolling the clutch is already fully clamped and spinning as 1 unit.

[adr3naline fix]

He's not trying to screw you.

305AHWP / 0.78 = ~391bhp. On a 4cyl (or at least ours) you're not going to make as much torque as you will HP. I don't know why you would need a stage 4 clutch.

The 70205SS is made for the 228mm stock flywheel diameter. The 240mm flywheel is the diameter for the 2.8/2.7T clutches.
The 70205SS will hold the power you will make, but it would require you to use a different flywheel, since the RA4 kit is a 240mm.

Southbend 240mm (S4 kit) K70286 (straight from their website)
Stage 1 holds 400lb/ft and is $550 as advertised (Rally series)
Stage 2 holds 475lb/ft and is $650 ... (TZ series)
Stage 3 holds 525lb/ft and is $750 (OFE series)
Stage 4 holds 600lb/ft and is $825 (FE series)

SPEC: (again, straight from the site, S4 kits to fit the 240mm)
Stage 1 420lb/ft $620
Stage 2 490lb/ft $800
Stage 2+ 543lb/ft $840

I really appriciate the info! I was looking at A4 clutches, not s4 240mm, which is why I think was getting bad prices!

I also just got off the phone with ECS Tuning and he says I should replace the flywheel anyway because of glazing, or get it turned by a machine shop but it may not last very long...is he talking overkill, or is this somthing I should worry about?

edit: Southbend also said they would have the flywheel turned for FREE! But there is downtime of course :(

[djwimbo]

I really appriciate the info! I was looking at A4 clutches, not s4 240mm, which is why I think was getting bad prices!

edit: Southbend also said they would have the flywheel turned for FREE! But there is downtime of course :(

There shouldn't be any fitment issues, you basically had/have the same setup(externally) now.

Resurfacing the flywheel is a good idea. Especially if you're changing compounds of the disc surface.

Mike is correct, how you drive and how you launch makes a difference on what stage may be better for you. I'm all for overkill when my budget allows, but I beat the poo out of my car in any condition, temp or track.
You really don't make that much measurable torque on a launch, it's the inertia of the rotating assembly immediately trying to apply power to the trans, axles, diffs, and wheels. Some people need the extra insurance, I went with overkill b/c I know how I drive, and the car's intent.

[adr3naline fix]

There shouldn't be any fitment issues, you basically had/have the same setup(externally) now.

Resurfacing the flywheel is a good idea. Especially if you're changing compounds of the disc surface.

Mike is correct, how you drive and how you launch makes a difference on what stage may be better for you. I'm all for overkill when my budget allows, but I beat the poo out of my car in any condition, temp or track.
You really don't make that much measurable torque on a launch, it's the inertia of the rotating assembly immediately trying to apply power to the trans, axles, diffs, and wheels. Some people need the extra insurance, I went with overkill b/c I know how I drive, and the car's intent.

Nice. Im basically going to be using mine as a daily driver, with intent to kill the ocasional...well...anything.

I had my shop order a Southbend 70286 S4 clutch kit stage 1, (400hp), and it will get installed next week. I just need to find out if/where my flywheel will be resurfaced.