Clutch recommendations - 2014 S5, APR Stage 2, manual trans

[V01]

So I've had Stage 2 for a while and love it, however I cant get 100% on the throttle through 1st and 2nd gear without the clutch heating up and slipping. Is there a 'best' option as far as upgraded clutches go? Im not really looking to track the car so I dont need anything too heavy. Just looking for the best for daily driving that can handle the upgraded Stage 2 power.

I was looking at JHM and Eurocode. The Eurocode is cheaper but I heard some complaints about noise etc.

Thanks

[doug97gxe]

i would check the S4 forum for ideas and direction

[jwr9152]

Personally I think the only options are the JHM stage 4 and R5 series and the Southbend stage 3 endurance. To me the JHM stage 4 and the Southbend stage 3 are very similar and good for daily driving. The big difference between the 2 is that JHM uses a self adjusting pressure plate that is based on the oem unit with a higher clamping pressure. The Southbend unit is a non self adjusting unit, that should be able to handle more power. I ran the JHM stage 4 unit and the clutch is great, no noise, easy to drive; but the pressure plate couldn't handle the abuse I was giving it. It would probably be fine on a stage 2 B8.5. I really like the lightweight flywheel. It's quite a noticeable difference. I haven't driven a Southbend stage 3, but have heard nothing but good about them even on the APR Stage 3 cars. I'm currently running the JHM R5 series clutch and it is a definite improvement over the stage 4, but it is also more aggressive and takes a different technique to drive smoothly when going slow or in stop and go traffic. Once moving I think the engagement between gears is much better then even the stage 4, which was already an improvement over stock. Break in period for the R5 was not at all fun. It's a sprung 6 puck clutch with a non adjustable pressure plate. I autocross and track my car, and also routinely drive it around town, so I wanted something that I could abuse and still run to the grocery store or out to dinner in. So far it has handle the abuse without any issue at all, and is getting better and better as a daily. I had a hard time deciding between the southbend and the R5, and honostely what won me over was the ability to just change the liner on the flywheel and so the cheaper costs. JHM clutch only costs me around $1,000 for clutch and liner, while the Southbend was $3500. Just by looking at the designs I would think the Southbend would be a better daily, and the JHM R5 would be more robust.

[V01]

Thanks for the info. After looking into it a bit I was leaning towards the JHM Stage 3. But you think Stage 4 is the better choice?

Personally I think the only options are the JHM stage 4 and R5 series and the Southbend stage 3 endurance. To me the JHM stage 4 and the Southbend stage 3 are very similar and good for daily driving. The big difference between the 2 is that JHM uses a self adjusting pressure plate that is based on the oem unit with a higher clamping pressure. The Southbend unit is a non self adjusting unit, that should be able to handle more power. I ran the JHM stage 4 unit and the clutch is great, no noise, easy to drive; but the pressure plate couldn't handle the abuse I was giving it. It would probably be fine on a stage 2 B8.5. I really like the lightweight flywheel. It's quite a noticeable difference. I haven't driven a Southbend stage 3, but have heard nothing but good about them even on the APR Stage 3 cars. I'm currently running the JHM R5 series clutch and it is a definite improvement over the stage 4, but it is also more aggressive and takes a different technique to drive smoothly when going slow or in stop and go traffic. Once moving I think the engagement between gears is much better then even the stage 4, which was already an improvement over stock. Break in period for the R5 was not at all fun. It's a sprung 6 puck clutch with a non adjustable pressure plate. I autocross and track my car, and also routinely drive it around town, so I wanted something that I could abuse and still run to the grocery store or out to dinner in. So far it has handle the abuse without any issue at all, and is getting better and better as a daily. I had a hard time deciding between the southbend and the R5, and honostely what won me over was the ability to just change the liner on the flywheel and so the cheaper costs. JHM clutch only costs me around $1,000 for clutch and liner, while the Southbend was $3500. Just by looking at the designs I would think the Southbend would be a better daily, and the JHM R5 would be more robust.

[jwr9152]

Thanks for the info. After looking into it a bit I was leaning towards the JHM Stage 3. But you think Stage 4 is the better choice?

I do. From experience the stage 4 is fine to daily, and compared to stock there is no slip when you want to get on the gas. Before I bought I would contact JHM and tell them what you have done to your car, what you are experiencing, and what you want to be able to do with your car. Like I mentioned above, I had to remove the stage 4 because the pressure plate started going bad. The clutch disc was still in near perfect condition after 15,000 miles with several launches on it. I would think I'm probably a lot harder on clutches then it sounds like you are going to be, and my car should have a bit more power and torque then the stage 2 B8.5's have. If you think the pressure plate is going to be a concern then it sounds like the R5 may be a little more aggressive then what you are looking for, and the southbend clutch should be a good option, and appears to be a good compromise. So I would contact JHM and also reach out to people running the Southbend setup. I know someone that swears by it. If you want his contact info pm me.

[ParadigmTony]

Personally I think the only options are the JHM stage 4 and R5 series and the Southbend stage 3 endurance. To me the JHM stage 4 and the Southbend stage 3 are very similar and good for daily driving. The big difference between the 2 is that JHM uses a self adjusting pressure plate that is based on the oem unit with a higher clamping pressure. The Southbend unit is a non self adjusting unit, that should be able to handle more power. I ran the JHM stage 4 unit and the clutch is great, no noise, easy to drive; but the pressure plate couldn't handle the abuse I was giving it. It would probably be fine on a stage 2 B8.5. I really like the lightweight flywheel. It's quite a noticeable difference. I haven't driven a Southbend stage 3, but have heard nothing but good about them even on the APR Stage 3 cars. I'm currently running the JHM R5 series clutch and it is a definite improvement over the stage 4, but it is also more aggressive and takes a different technique to drive smoothly when going slow or in stop and go traffic. Once moving I think the engagement between gears is much better then even the stage 4, which was already an improvement over stock. Break in period for the R5 was not at all fun. It's a sprung 6 puck clutch with a non adjustable pressure plate. I autocross and track my car, and also routinely drive it around town, so I wanted something that I could abuse and still run to the grocery store or out to dinner in. So far it has handle the abuse without any issue at all, and is getting better and better as a daily. I had a hard time deciding between the southbend and the R5, and honostely what won me over was the ability to just change the liner on the flywheel and so the cheaper costs. JHM clutch only costs me around $1,000 for clutch and liner, while the Southbend was $3500. Just by looking at the designs I would think the Southbend would be a better daily, and the JHM R5 would be more robust.

There are actually several other clutches and Flywheels on the market for the b8 platform. Southbend of course, Eurocode meisterwerk as well as their multi plate Tilton set up, Clutch Masters, Spec, ECS (Flywheel only) etc. It comes to driving style and price point.

[jwr9152]

There are actually several other clutches and Flywheels on the market for the b8 platform. Southbend of course, Eurocode meisterwerk as well as their multi plate Tilton set up, Clutch Masters, Spec, ECS (Flywheel only) etc. It comes to driving style and price point.

Absolutely correct, but the problem is most of those clutches still use a variation of the oem self adjusting pressure plate. Which in my opinion is the weak link of the clutch, and does not hold up very well to a supercharged V8 S5. If you are just daily driving they will be fine, but if you ever plan on doing more spirited driving the pressure plate doesn't last long, based on my experience. I'm hoping someone with a stage 2 B8.5 will chime in on their experiences with any of these clutches. I would assume you would be able to get by with a less aggressive clutch and maybe even an oem pressure plate with higher clamping pressure, but I'm not sure because the torque of a stage 2 B8.5 isn't much less then a stage 3 B8, isn't it something like 380 vs 440? I do know the JHM R5 and the southbend both have a much better non adjusting pressure plate, that is why I would recommend them for any spirited driving. I think if my focus was daily driving with occasional spirited driving I would lean towards Southbend, if it was more spirited and still be able to daily the car I would go JHM R5. Besides JHM designed the R5 to go with their S5 supercharger kit, and APR worked with southbend to design their clutch for their stage 3 kit.