Shuddering with and FX200 Clutch

[Mdiv]

Just installed an FX200 clutch in my 2011 B8 S4 and I'm experiencing a lot of shuddering in first and second. Mods are: exhaust, ECU, pulley, and intake. Installer said it's normal and will subside when broken in, but I put 1,000 miles on it with no reprieve. Anyone else have a similar configuration? Is shuddering expected?

Thanks!

[richib86]

i have chatter with my fx400, chatter is normal on an aggressive clutch

[ENV²]

I have shudder on my stock clutch occasionally going into 1st but I think its because I broke my car in nice and aggressively.

[t0mt0m]

i had chatter on fx400 for the first thousand miles as well

then a melt down at 15k

[Birdman86]

i had chatter on fx400 for the first thousand miles as well

then a melt down at 15k

A meltdown? Care to elaborate or link please?

[lmmike]

I also had a melt down with a FX400. I had it on the car for about 100 days and about 8k miles. Mine completely failed. I am going with a stage 2 spec clutch this time. I can't wait to write another check for $3k for a clutch install! I think clutch masters has a way to go on the R&D or quality control or both. I have the APR stage 2+ on my car.

Mac

[IanVr6]

I also had a melt down with a FX400. I had it on the car for about 100 days and about 8k miles. Mine completely failed. I am going with a stage 2 spec clutch this time. I can't wait to write another check for $3k for a clutch install! I think clutch masters has a way to go on the R&D or quality control or both. I have the APR stage 2+ on my car.

Mac

Not good. Sorry to hear that.

[ENV²]

WOnder if the meltdowns are more due to install or shoddy manufacturing.

[gringoloco2000]

What exactly failed in these meltdowns? Did the pressure plate come apart? Disc? Bolts snap? Details would be helpful for those of us in need of an aftermarket option.

So, Spec has a kit for us now? This all reminds me of all of the issues people had with R32 clutches. So many Clutchmaster, Southbend and Spec clutches blowing up. In the end, the choices were stock up to 400hp and DM for over 400hp. DM was about $2200. We need a few options where we can balance performance and reliablity.

[lmmike]

Mine was installed by a reputable shop that does all of my other work including the APR tuning. The clutch was slipping like crazy then failed. When they took it apart the pressure plate was still in tact, the bolts were fine, it looked like the material gave out. The flywheel is also shot now. Both surfaces, the flywheel and pressure plate had huge grooves from the material coming apart. The stock clutch lasted until just under 70k miles. The CM FX400 only lasted 8k miles. The apr stage 1+ was on from 5k miles to around 30k miles, stage 2+ was on from around 30k miles until now. Currently has almost 80k miles. Car is a 2010 S4.

[apexit1]

Annnndddd CM is now off the list

[Thomas@TAI-VW]

The problem is you guys are installing a sintered metallic disc style clutch. This has metallic "pucks" on them and are not designed to "slip" well when using them for street driving. These clutches generally have a very short service life and are better for drag cars. Clutches handle more tq./hp through either friction or clamping pressure. These rely on friction due to the metal on metal contact and the material on the disc. The coefficiet of grip is so high it does not "slip" at all and that is why the clutch feels like a on/off switch and hard to drive compared to a organic faced OEM style clutch. I have only run 2 puck clutches in cars I drag raced knowing the service life would be 20K miles IF I got lucky. The best clutch IMO with a good compromise between street/perfromance seem to be tyhe dual disc setups,these offer more surface area to handle the load without a crazy amount of clamping force or low life friction materials.
When I saw guys installing these in S4's the writing was on the wall I KNEW I would be reading about harsh engagement/short service life on these puck clutches.
The best wayt o keep these alive is when street driving you don't slip it at all if you can help it,it is like a "pop the clutch and gas it before it stalls out style of driving",if you try to drive it like a OEM clutch good luck on getting anything over 20-30K out of it,the pucks will grind into the pressure plate & flywheel like a grinder.

[apexit1]

So what are your thoughts on the DXD clutch options? Funny how no ones mentioned the super short life of those clutches.

[lmmike]

Thomas, I would agree with you after my experience. I would have loved to have read your post 120 days ago! Live and learn.

[IanVr6]

So we have NO good options at this time.

[t0mt0m]

welcome to my life ladies and gentlemen...
after talking with jhm about there lightweight combination and apr/eurocode about the dxd kit i am going with a DXD clutch kit and a new oem flywheel. i had a lightweight flywheel in my fat b6 a4 and didn't like it as well

[apexit1]

Can you share what JHM said? Which DXD are you going with?

[IanVr6]

welcome to my life ladies and gentlemen...
after talking with jhm about there lightweight combination and apr/eurocode about the dxd kit i am going with a DXD clutch kit and a new oem flywheel. i had a lightweight flywheel in my fat b6 a4 and didn't like it as well

More details please....

I'm going to the APR BBQ this weekend so I'll try and get some info on Stage 3 and their recs on aftermarket clutches.

[ENV²]

Well actually you do have an option with these clutches, you just have to know how to drive them. I put a Stage 3 in my Maxima and drove it for about 40k miles before dumping it hard in a drag race and ripping all the teeth off of 3rd gear and demolishing the synchros. I liked the friction point being in one place and never moving and having a pop and go feel. Slipping stock clutches became annoying to me after having that clutch.

[t0mt0m]

Can you share what JHM said? Which DXD are you going with?

feramic compound [iron composite] compared to a ceramic
the fermanic holds together better and has a longer life, but can not hold as much tq
i dont plan on going modding past 460 tq

jhm is not ready to officially release there product

[lmmike]

I found out today that spec clutch somehow put the clutch together wrong so it won't fit correctly. Since I don't have any experience with spec clutch, I am viewing this as a sign they don't know what they are doing with the B8 S4. I had the shop send it back. I am now going with the oem set up until we have a tested daily drivable option. I'm not sure if it was just a mistake or they don't actually have an option for our cars. Their website says they do. Anywho... off to the next adventure.

[Arin@APR]

I'm going to the APR BBQ this weekend so I'll try and get some info on Stage 3 and their recs on aftermarket clutches.

If you ask nicely, I'll let you try out the DXD.

[netimebut4]

If you ask nicely, I'll let you try out the DXD.

This makes me happy..and anxious

[ENV²]

If you ask nicely, I'll let you try out the DXD.

Arin,

How do you like the DXD for daily driveability? Also how many miles are on that clutch?

[IanVr6]

If you ask nicely, I'll let you try out the DXD.

I am suddenly feeling very nice.

[Arin@APR]

Arin,

How do you like the DXD for daily driveability? Also how many miles are on that clutch?

I'm not sure how many miles are on the clutch. It's fine for daily driving. I'm sometimes rough on my 1 -> 2 shift, but I always assumed that was me (I don't recall what it felt like stock). From the passenger seat with others driving, I don't notice the roughness.

[IanVr6]

I'm not sure how many miles are on the clutch. It's fine for daily driving. I'm sometimes rough on my 1 -> 2 shift, but I always assumed that was me (I don't recall what it felt like stock). From the passenger seat with others driving, I don't notice the roughness.

I'll drive it on Saturday and let you guys know how it feels.