Hello all! I'm in need of a new clutch for my 01 1.8. Now as you can see from the title, I'm asking for suggestions. Everything is stock on the car at the moment. I might go with a slightly bigger turbo. The car 170hp stock if I'm not mistaken and I'm aiming for about 250 maybe 300hp. was thinking of getting either the stage 1 S4 or stage 2 RS4 clutch kit with flywheel from ECS. Do you guys suggest that a stock clutch will be able to handle my target HP or should I go with a stage 1/2?

 

Realistically the stock clutch is good for a stage 1 tune and bolt ons, once you start adding a little more power it's highly recommended you upgrade your clutch. I would personally go for the rs4 clutch kit with lightweight flywheel from ecs. Not much difference in price from s4 clutch so better option is rs4 clutch. Also note with the lighter flywheels, you will have some chatter while driving at low rpm's along with a slight reduction of low end torque however will gain more response in early gears mainly first and faster revving.

 

I went through the same decision making process with my (Black) 2001.5 1.8t

I'm somewhere around 250 hp right now and here are my 2 cents:

1. The stock flywheel is a Dual Mass Flywheel that weighs (roughly) 43 pounds.
2. Converting to any single mass system will reduce that weight and complexity significantly.
3. A quality flywheel should weigh (roughly) 8-10 pounds and the clutch will obviously grip harder, faster and last longer (depending on driving habits).

A stock flywheel is good for a stock car and that's about it. Once you begin tuning your ECM and swapping parts, it won't be able to keep up. I'm dealing with that now, on my newest addition (the Silver '01 B5).

My first (Black) '01 had a "Stage 1" kit and it held 17 psi just fine, but it wore much quicker than I would've liked.

My newest (Silver) '01 has 22 psi and (check my sig for mods) it still has the stock clutch in it. I have a Carbon Kevlar kit that I'm about to put in it, but to give you an idea, if I WOT, the clutch will hold until about 10-12 psi and then just totally spin freely, while the engine still boosts to 22 psi. Mind you, this clutch doesn't "need replacing". It's perfectly fine (for a stock car).

On the highway, it will obviously hold longer, but it's still far too much power for that clutch.

In the end: A "Stage 1" kit will work, but you'll end up saving yourself time, money and peace of mind by just going stage 2 right off the bat.

G/L

 

I appreciate the input from both of you. Some other users in different forums told me the stage 2 is pretty heavy and that the stage 1 S4 clutch will be able to handle the power I'm looking for with the feel of almost stock. I don't plan to track the car or anything like that. It's my daily and I don't want it too stiff if I decide to let someone else drive my car. Someone also suggested the JHM clutch conversion kit. B7 S4 I believe. But that price tag is pretty hefty.

 

I can confirm to you from personal experience using both the s4 and currently rs4 clutch. They retain almost a complete stick pedal feel, maybe just a tad stiffer.

 

Yeah that's what I heard. I might do the B7 RS4 conversion. The price comes out to about the same as the stage 1 from ECS and it'll be capable of handling more than my target HP with a stock feel