1000 mile review of RA4 clutch kit

[cosmicvision]

Very pleased with feel of clutch & flywheel. First got it back and wondered why they didn't make the car like this from the factory, I look forward to freeway on-ramps now

With the exception of this clutch kit (and cone filter for the sake of being thorough) car is all stock. Seems more eager to pull from low RPM now, but I get this clattery valves, bogging the motor sound when I try to pull from ~2000rpm. With the window down I can hear it reflect off of the car next to me when I take off. In my mind I attributed this to the mass of the flywheel being reduced by 50% and inherently having less inertia available to pull from a low RPM. Like, when climbing a hill it feels like I should shift down sooner to avoid lugging the motor. On a steep hill this will happen as high as 2500rpm. During the past weeks I've adapted to it & just run a lower gear than normal & hold the gear longer before shifting.

So my question is, is this just a characteristic of the new hardware? Or is there a deeper underlying issue? Would quicker spool from a chip, or higher-flowing exhaust help counter the low-rpm flat spot? It doesn't really bother me once I figured out how to work it, just requires more driver seat interaction

[Tow3rs]

Can you put up a link to the kit your using? Id like to get something better after mine dies, also would like to get away from the infamous a4 high engagement

[redline380]

I could have told you all of this a while ago

[DND]

The lighter fliywheel means it isn't storing as much energy and so yes it will behave exactly as you describe.
People think lighter flywheels are great because it takes less to spin them up, which is true, but then they also can't provide as much energy back when you need/want it like the original was intended to.
You probably aren't drag racing when going up hill. ;)

[cosmicvision]

This is the kit Tow3rs: https://www.ecstuning.com/ES5485/ It does improve the high engagement point.

Yep no drag racing here, uphill or otherwise .. I have yet to slip the clutch with a hard launch or anything like that, mostly geezer status when I drive.

So it looks safe to assume from reading the replies here that there's no issue with the car, but I'm still wondering if something like the increased torque from a chip or catback would help to counter the weak spot in the low RPMs. Maybe I'm just making a case for these things in my mind.

[nynoah]

Your clutch is behaving exactly as a lightweight clutch does. Years ago people use to use the aluminum flywheels and they were hell for chatter.

[cosmicvision]

Pretty used to it by now. Little more shifty, kindof motorcycle like?

Probably affects gas mileage to some degree ..

Also, had the thought it might be easier for an old battery to turn over in frigid weather??

And the question further, does chipping generally help with the low-rpm chug? Exhaust? The little torque curve chart things seem to look that way

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Less rotational weight will effect how the engine revs. Most noticeably in lower RPMs. What you have described though would be considered normal. These are heavy vehicles and being AWD if the engine isn't spinning pretty fast you can bog the engine down quickly now that there isn't as much inertia. Takes a bit to get used to but overall your vehicle should be much more responsive once you adapt to the new flywheel and clutch.

Jason

[Nollywood]

Lighter flywheels will aid quicker engine spool, but engine rpm's drop faster too. Back off the gas, and you'll certainly notice the shunt as the car slows down, almost like you hit the brakes lightly. It makes for a snatchy ride, and can be hell in slow-moving traffic. The engine is easier to stall with this set-up.

Chatter? Yep. You'll get more of that. Increasing engine output won't get rid of it. The "chatter" is actually from the transmission, travelling down the input shaft. This chatter / rattle is present in every car at certain rev points. The weight of the flywheel acts as a damper. Lose some of this mass, and the flywheel will provide less damping, making the rattle more audible.

Will it harm your car? Unlikely.

Personally, I like a smooth ride. Lightweight flywheels are best on cars that spend more time on the track. Street cars are best with flywheels with more absorbing mass. The chatter has nothing to do with the flywheel being dual or single-mass. A single-mass flywheel with enough mass will dampen transmission rattle better than a dual-mass version that lacks the mass to cope with the engine it's fitted to.

Aluminium flywheels are even worse.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

^^ Great info!

Thanks for the post!

Jason

[Sumo337]

I've been runner withe RA4 Kit from 163,500 to 173,500 miles,and I do like almost quicker shifting.. 10/10 for my car.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

I've been runner withe RA4 Kit from 163,500 to 173,500 miles,and I do like almost quicker shifting.. 10/10 for my car.

Thanks for the order! Glad you're enjoying the new clutch and feel of your vehicle!

Jason

[yamto72]

A kit like this will be my next purchase, though I am a little nervous about the flywheel in the ECS kit being so much lighter than stock. Have looked at Clutch Masters since theirs is a bit heavier, billet steel (and at least twice the price). Reviews like this help sway me back towards the ECS kit. The advantage of a single kit vs. purchasing a la carte is also a big plus for me.