ECS TUNING Clutch recommendation

[xwilliams23]

Hey guys! I'm looking for a clutch that will be able to hold my up coming STG 3 power. I would really like to go with a CM fx400 but I'm in Canada and it wont be the best financial option lol. I can get parts of ECS for a way better price, (no shipping /import fee's). Problem being, ECS doesn't have the FX400.

With that being said, the out of list of clutches on ECS which would you reccomende in the Price range (or cheaper) that will be able to hold stage 3 power and still feel like the fx400. Or at least feel somewhat decent..

Or simply reccomend a clutch of that website that is able to hold the power. (I don't launch my car at all so no need for a crazy strong clutch)

Thanks!

[CJ_]

They have the fx400 but its a 4puck instead of a 6puck

https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_S4...tch/ES2602166/

I got the south bend stage 3 endurance for mine, which I haven't been able to try out yet, but heard its great

[xwilliams23]

They have the fx400 but its a 4puck instead of a 6puck

https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_S4...tch/ES2602166/

I got the south bend stage 3 endurance for mine, which I haven't been able to try out yet, but heard its great

Is the 4 puck that much of a difference?
Stronger? Weaker? Or kinda the same.

- Thanks

[CJ_]

I believe the 4puck has more holding power and harsher engagement, but I'm no clutch expert. You may want to wait for someone with more experience to chime in

[xwilliams23]

I believe the 4puck has more holding power and harsher engagement, but I'm no clutch expert. You may want to wait for someone with more experience to chime in

Okay thanks. And I'm okay with a bit harsher engagement BUT would prefer something a bit lighter.


Thanks :)

Current options
-FX400 4 puck

[bl0wn3ur0]

4 puck will engage harsher and not last as long.


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[xwilliams23]

4 puck will engage harsher and not last as long.


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And by "not as long" how short do you mean really? Is 5 years to high of a guess?

[bl0wn3ur0]

Nobody can really say that. Clutch life will depend on how you use it. I personally only got 7-8000k out of my 8 puck fx400 but it wasn't broken in correctly. I'm about to install a 6 puck fx400 and I'm only expecting 7-10k based on what I've heard on the forums.

Just for reference, my car came with a spec 3+ in it and I loved it until the throw out bearing blew up


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[zillarob]

Way too high. 5 months would be closer with an fx400

[JVD]

4 puck will engage harsher and not last as long.


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Correct.

I'd go with one of the Southbend units. Endurance would probably be my choice.

[xwilliams23]

Nobody can really say that. Clutch life will depend on how you use it. I personally only got 7-8000k out of my 8 puck fx400 but it wasn't broken in correctly. I'm about to install a 6 puck fx400 and I'm only expecting 7-10k based on what I've heard on the forums.

Just for reference, my car came with a spec 3+ in it and I loved it until the throw out bearing blew up


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That's sadly not alot haha. And personally I will almost NEVER launch it.

Just need something to hold power and have the ability to let me launch it if I ever want

Any options ON ECS that can provide my needs?

[xwilliams23]

Way too high. 5 months would be closer with an fx400

JHEEZ ya no. I'm taking that off my list haha. Alright so what would you reccomende? A stage 3 endurance type clutch?

[bl0wn3ur0]

Way too high. 5 months would be closer with an fx400

Oh man I hope not lol. That makes me want to get a disk built for the rs4 pp I have laying around lol


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[zillarob]

If you arent launching, Id say get something with a kevlar disk like sb stg3e.
Will last a long ass time and drive almost the same as oem. Maybe a touch grabbier.

You dont want anything with a ceramic puck disk. Terrible on a daily.

[xwilliams23]

If you arent launching, Id say get something with a kevlar disk like sb stg3e.
Will last a long ass time and drive almost the same as oem. Maybe a touch grabbier.

You dont want anything with a ceramic puck disk. Terrible on a daily.

How does this look?
https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_S4...rmance/ES1027/

Also could i use my stock flywheel (will be resurfaced)

[zillarob]

JHEEZ ya no. I'm taking that off my list haha. Alright so what would you reccomende? A stage 3 endurance type clutch?

Sad, but its true. 5mos is prob a few years closer to being correct than 5yrs.

[zillarob]

How does this look?
https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_S4...rmance/ES1027/

Also could i use my stock flywheel (will be resurfaced)

That is pretty damn close to exactly what you want. Can resurface and reuse fw if you can find somebody that does it.

[xwilliams23]

That is pretty damn close to exactly what you want. Can resurface and reuse fw if you can find somebody that does it.

Sadly without the tools do it it. A shop will be doing my turbos and clutch. The rest of the stg3 process is on my own. They said they'll resurface it during installation

This is a good priced clutch. I'll keep it in mind

Thanks!

[zillarob]

For what you are doing, kevlar is going to be about the best driving and longest lasting setup you will find.
An oem b5 or b7 rs4 setup would prob be just fine for you, but always nice to have a little overhead.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

If you want longer clutch life stick with something that has a full face.

I'd recommend something like a South Bend Stage 3 daily, Stage 3 endurance, or a Spec Stage 3+ all will support the power you'll make going Stage 3.

All three are full face so you should get a pretty long life out of them.


Click HERE to order or for more information

Jason

[xwilliams23]

If you want longer clutch life stick with something that has a full face.

I'd recommend something like a South Bend Stage 3 daily, Stage 3 endurance, or a Spec Stage 3+ all will support the power you'll make going Stage 3.

All three are full face so you should get a pretty long life out of them.


Click HERE to order or for more information

Jason

Thanks Jason! Those are great options
As for price points, would I be getting the same kind of performance and durability with this clutch? The cost is alot lower and if I don't NEED to spend the extra few. Then it helps.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_S4...rmance/ES1027/

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Thanks Jason! Those are great options
As for price points, would I be getting the same kind of performance and durability with this clutch? The cost is alot lower and if I don't NEED to spend the extra few. Then it helps.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_S4...rmance/ES1027/

There is that option as well. Back in the day we ran FX300's on a bunch of our Stage 3 cars and they worked well. But this was when Borg Warner K04's were really the only Stage 3 upgrade and there was maybe 2 software options. Today's turbos and tuning allow a Stage 3 car to make much more power. So I will say it is likely on the lower end of holding capacity. Clutch Masters says it offers 110% clamping force over stock.

Jason

[xwilliams23]

There is that option as well. Back in the day we ran FX300's on a bunch of our Stage 3 cars and they worked well. But this was when Borg Warner K04's were really the only Stage 3 upgrade and there was maybe 2 software options. Today's turbos and tuning allow a Stage 3 car to make much more power. So I will say it is likely on the lower end of holding capacity. Clutch Masters says it offers 110% clamping force over stock.

Jason

Well for power goals I'm hoping for 450whp (I assume It will be less) if you believe that this clutch can hold this power. This is what I'd go with

Thanks

[AfourQ]

I had an FX400 with the 8 puck disc. I did not like it at all. Fairly heavy pedal, harsh, lots of shudder and did not hold for very long.
Now using a Spec stage 3+ and I absolutely love it. Never slipped (some hard launches, 430 AWTQ), pedal feels like oem but a tad more grabby if the rpm is not right.
Anther guy near me is using this clutch on a 605 V2 setup and he has nothing but good things to say about it.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Well for power goals I'm hoping for 450whp (I assume It will be less) if you believe that this clutch can hold this power. This is what I'd go with

Thanks

I'd personally opt to go with one of the other options I linked. You'd likely be at the absolute max capasity with an FX300. Being at the max could also shorten the clutch life. If you were planning on making 380-400whp I'd feel confident recommending the FX300 but over 400whp definitely look at something with more holding capacity.

Jason

[xwilliams23]

I'd personally opt to go with one of the other options I linked. You'd likely be at the absolute max capasity with an FX300. Being at the max could also shorten the clutch life. If you were planning on making 380-400whp I'd feel confident recommending the FX300 but over 400whp definitely look at something with more holding capacity.

Jason

Perfect! Thanks! I'll most likely go with the spec 3+ just like the guy above you ) has 😊

Thanks everyone!

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Perfect! Thanks! I'll most likely go with the spec 3+ just like the guy above you ) has 😊

Thanks everyone!

No problem! That is the clutch I would go with as well if it were me personally.

Jason

[zillarob]

Spec 3+ is a fairly nice driving and long lasting setup in my experience.
Put one in a dd 605 car like 5yrs ago and another in a 770 car like 3yrs ago and they are still rippin.

Do a search on them though, some people have not been so lucky.

There are two types so pay attention. Standard b5 stg3+, and a 5cyl conversion setup that might save a few $.
They are both prob fine, but dont mix n match.

[xwilliams23]

Figured I would add to this thread instead of making a new one.

Clutch has been purchased, any tips on breaking it in once installed?

[ianwpb]

I broke in my FX400 over about 500 miles of mostly city driving. Tried not to slip it at all which was difficult while learning a new pressure plate & disc. I must've done alright though because I'm at about 14,000 miles on it and it isn't showing any signs of slipping.

[xwilliams23]

I broke in my FX400 over about 500 miles of mostly city driving. Tried not to slip it at all which was difficult while learning a new pressure plate & disc. I must've done alright though because I'm at about 14,000 miles on it and it isn't showing any signs of slipping.

Alright so I should basically just drive normally and take it easy for a few hundred miles?

How about downshifts. Rev match or Slowly release?

[kingkhalilz]

Guess some of you guys cant drive stick, i have 20,000 miles on a 6 puck clutchnet and rs4 pp. Still engages high on the pedal....

[xwilliams23]

Guess some of you guys cant drive stick, i have 20,000 miles on a 6 puck clutchnet and rs4 pp. Still engages high on the pedal....

I've only ever driven my s4, no other s4's, I don't know what to expect once i install this new clutch.