Let me pick your brain on clutches
#1
Let me pick your brain on clutches
Well, I should probably update my signature since I've done quite a few mods since then.
I have my Angel Eyes, Clear Corners, and FMIC sitting here in my living room and plan on doing them this weekend. I've already decided that my next mod after FMIC wil be my suspension (KW Variant 2 Coilovers, Camber Kit, Dogbone Mount, DEFCON 1 Kit, and All Polyurethane Bushings). I hope to have the money for the purchase sometime around September first and will devote a weekend to those tasks. However, since I've decided to put off the big turbo jump until spring; I'm bouncing around some other mods. I'm not really big on cosmetics stuff ie; Bodykits, carbon fiber, wheels (I realize wheels have another purpose but I have the sport package 17" fat fives on it already and they will suffice for now)
I let a buddy of mine drive the TT last week and he was very impressed. Everyone that looks at the numbers thinks the car is a cupcake, but change their tune after driving it. They dont even believe it after simply riding. Its driving it that gets them. the ONLY thing he said bothered him was the clutch. He said it was a nice clutch... but that if I planned on doing ANYTHING more to it, I'd need a clutch. He mentioned something about it being a hydraulic clutch and that hyd. clutches weren't what I wanted. He said I should look for a cable clutch. So Here are my questions.
[ul][*]Are SPEC clutches hydraulic or cable clutches? (Im sure i could answer that by reading their website.)[*]There's gotta be pros and cons for each stage of clutch. What are the cons with the higher stage clutches? Besides price, what would be the reason not to just go with a Stage 5 clutch instead of the Stage 3 I was looking at?[*]Would it be beneficial to do the Timing Belt and Clutch at the same time? I mean, would it make either of them easier if they were done in conjunction with each other? I plan on doing both myself (with help from very experienced mechanics/tuners)[*]My tuner friend (a whole lot of Drag experience mostly domestic muscle, but he did a lot of professional tuner work as well on imports) says that upgrading the clutch on the car could cut .5 seconds easily off my ¼mile time. (Dont have a ¼mile time, but I would imagine that if it could, then that means it would be a good step in the right direction regardless). Is this true? If not, what is a more realistic benefit/improvement gained from upgrading the clutch to a Stage 3 SPEC?[*]Aside from the Billet Steel flywheel, are there any other components that should be done in conjunction with.. or shortly after the clutch?[/ul]
I know these are fairly newb questions... but if I'm going to upgrade something, I like to know what I'm getting myself into and like to make sure I'm getting the best product I can for my needs. thanks for the Help guys
-Chris
I have my Angel Eyes, Clear Corners, and FMIC sitting here in my living room and plan on doing them this weekend. I've already decided that my next mod after FMIC wil be my suspension (KW Variant 2 Coilovers, Camber Kit, Dogbone Mount, DEFCON 1 Kit, and All Polyurethane Bushings). I hope to have the money for the purchase sometime around September first and will devote a weekend to those tasks. However, since I've decided to put off the big turbo jump until spring; I'm bouncing around some other mods. I'm not really big on cosmetics stuff ie; Bodykits, carbon fiber, wheels (I realize wheels have another purpose but I have the sport package 17" fat fives on it already and they will suffice for now)
I let a buddy of mine drive the TT last week and he was very impressed. Everyone that looks at the numbers thinks the car is a cupcake, but change their tune after driving it. They dont even believe it after simply riding. Its driving it that gets them. the ONLY thing he said bothered him was the clutch. He said it was a nice clutch... but that if I planned on doing ANYTHING more to it, I'd need a clutch. He mentioned something about it being a hydraulic clutch and that hyd. clutches weren't what I wanted. He said I should look for a cable clutch. So Here are my questions.
[ul][*]Are SPEC clutches hydraulic or cable clutches? (Im sure i could answer that by reading their website.)[*]There's gotta be pros and cons for each stage of clutch. What are the cons with the higher stage clutches? Besides price, what would be the reason not to just go with a Stage 5 clutch instead of the Stage 3 I was looking at?[*]Would it be beneficial to do the Timing Belt and Clutch at the same time? I mean, would it make either of them easier if they were done in conjunction with each other? I plan on doing both myself (with help from very experienced mechanics/tuners)[*]My tuner friend (a whole lot of Drag experience mostly domestic muscle, but he did a lot of professional tuner work as well on imports) says that upgrading the clutch on the car could cut .5 seconds easily off my ¼mile time. (Dont have a ¼mile time, but I would imagine that if it could, then that means it would be a good step in the right direction regardless). Is this true? If not, what is a more realistic benefit/improvement gained from upgrading the clutch to a Stage 3 SPEC?[*]Aside from the Billet Steel flywheel, are there any other components that should be done in conjunction with.. or shortly after the clutch?[/ul]
I know these are fairly newb questions... but if I'm going to upgrade something, I like to know what I'm getting myself into and like to make sure I'm getting the best product I can for my needs. thanks for the Help guys
-Chris
#3
RE: Let me pick your brain on clutches
well first off you would have to fab up a lot of stuff to change the clutch to a cable kind....(which is a very old technology...not sure why he told you ,you dont want hydraulic) our system is also fed by the main brake fluid reservoir...in terms of the stages of clutches....if you go stage 5 dont plan on driving the car that much....only for track use....not for city driving. the pedal feel will be too much to handle for the city(stop and go driving) you will be good with my clutch or the stage 3 i wouldnt go any higher than that unless your pushing over 500lbs of torque. and make sure to go with the billet steel flywheel....my clutch the stage 2+ is a carbon kevlar composite and gets "stickyer" as it gets hotter....its really cool. i shouldnt have to change it out when i go big turbo...thats why i went with that one. doing the clutch wont really save you any time on the timing belt....different side of the engine you'll be working on...i mean you do remove the serp pulley for the clutch job but thats about it on that side that would help with the timing belt.
#4
RE: Let me pick your brain on clutches
++ on everything that MeanAudi said. A good rule of thumb is that the puck clutches like 4puck or 6puck are very aggressive when staring off in 1st or 2nd, its almost like you have to launch at every red light or stop sign just to get your car moving. The "puckless" style of clutches that SPEC makes are great, just like was said before the hotter they get the sticker they become. The steel flywheel is lighter than OEM but is heaver than a Aluminum one, however with the heat that is generated I will take the extra lbs and make sure that I am safe. Email the guys at SPEC they are great to talk to and are happy to answer any questions that you may have.
#5
RE: Let me pick your brain on clutches
That's fine. I knew there was a drawback to going with the higher ones... I just didn't know what it was. I'll go either Stage 2+ or 3. Either way, I just want to make sure that if for some reason later down the road... I decide to go huge torque... I wont buy another clutch. going big turbo with GS2871r or the 3071 (i think thats what it is)... what will that take your torque to? I plan on going bigger turbo in February and will probably go with the one from ATP that claims 450hp. I realize it probably wont go that high... but for reference.. thats the one i was looking at. What kind of torque would that produce? I'll have to go look again
#7
RE: Let me pick your brain on clutches
It all depends on the turbo along, the K04's have a huge torque spike and then it goes down, the bigger turbos like the GT30R and 35R have smooth power and torque lines but they go up really fast once that thing starts spooling. I would say that if your hitting 450hp then 400lbs of torque is a good guess.
#8
RE: Let me pick your brain on clutches
my favorite clutch after doing alot of installs driving is the eurospec. low chatter with the steel flywheel, best drivability and best feel, closest to factory, big torque holding capacity and no surprizes with parts that dont fit. they modify stock components from different VAG modelsand fit them to the o2m. ive alreadyseen a blown up spec but that is one in alot, so could have been a freak accident. clutchnet support sucks, nothing worst than having parts that dont match up and no idea when you will get the right stuff. if i went with anything other than the eurospec for my car it would probably be the spec stage 3+. its kinda a knock off of a eurospec. more or less they figured out, hey we use this size disc with the load it holds better and drives smoother.