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Author Topic: Let's talk clutches!  (Read 4707 times)

Offline Kregiel

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Let's talk clutches!
« on: February 02, 2012, 11:49:57 pm »
Hi Guys,

My clutch started to slip and now I am considering my options.

Reading the forum most popular would be Sachs, South Bend and Helix.... Which one to go for? Also SMF or DMF using the standard one? Using DMF is obviously cheaper but DMF is much less durable then SMF. SMF could be noisy but it's really car specific.

I am tempted by South bend SMF but welcome all thoughts.

Paul
Red 2008 GTI, H&R ARB, b12 suspension, walk, milltek non-res full exhaust, forge IC, tarox 10 pot big brake kit, RS4 valve, Forge SSK, Autotech HPFP, Xenons, K04 Turbo, Quaife LSD, South Bend stage 3 Daily with SMF clutch, XB and UB Unibraces

Offline fab5freddy

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Re: Let's talk clutches!
« Reply #1 on: February 03, 2012, 07:32:59 am »
I'm in the same boat  :sad1:

Friend of mine put in the Helix, said it's a good clutch but the customer service and waiting time for it was shocking
(like you and i, in Ireland) took 5 weeks to get sorted, sent the wrong clutch and were slow to get it sorted. That stuff can happen but he said the customer service was bad.

That kind of rules out Helix for me anyway.

So who's got what and how do you rate so far?

SMF or DMF?

 :drinking:

Offline SteveP

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Re: Let's talk clutches!
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2012, 07:44:25 am »
I have a South Bend clutch with SMF and really rate it, pedal isn't too heavy and has no issued running stage 2+ power. Also got rid of the issue with the pedal sticking with fast gear changes I had with the Sach clutch before.

Offline stealthwolf

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Re: Let's talk clutches!
« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2012, 08:08:10 am »
I heard the SMF gives you a rattle. Is this true?

The GTI isn't just a machine. It's very much a living, breathing thing.

Offline s3dubbin

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Re: Let's talk clutches!
« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2012, 08:49:37 am »
Huge rattle if mounts are fitted. Good little write up on USP Motorsports page about the s.bend. They now sell smf "silent" clutch kits. S.bend is amazing I love mine, soon to be tested on stage4 s3 8p. Cheers, Stevie.

Offline fab5freddy

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Re: Let's talk clutches!
« Reply #5 on: February 03, 2012, 08:59:46 am »
I have a South Bend clutch with SMF and really rate it, pedal isn't too heavy and has no issued running stage 2+ power. Also got rid of the issue with the pedal sticking with fast gear changes I had with the Sach clutch before.

Is that a southbend SMF Steve? Where did you source it? and do you get the rattle?   :rolleye:

What's the story with the silent SMF, do you lose any performance with this?

Sorry for all the questions

Offline SteveP

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Re: Let's talk clutches!
« Reply #6 on: February 03, 2012, 09:00:58 am »
Yes I have the Southbend SMF too, yes it's rattles a but on idle when the car is warm but not massively noticable inside the car.

I got mine from JBS  :happy2:

Offline fab5freddy

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Re: Let's talk clutches!
« Reply #7 on: February 03, 2012, 09:07:08 am »
Paul sorry for taking over your thread  :innocent:

Really not keen on the idea of rattles  :fighting:

more research/comments/views needed me thinks



Offline berg

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Re: Let's talk clutches!
« Reply #8 on: February 03, 2012, 09:15:46 am »
Statllers fitted Sachs clutch with my Wavetrac diff and maintained the original DMF, Steve Jr says he has never seen one thats needs replacing yet (although this may depend on how long/hard you drove your car with the original slipping as to whether you damaged your flywheel)

Even though mine is DMF is does rattle when car is idling when clutch is not depressed, but no complaints about the clutch seems to be handling stg 2+ well  :happy2:
Diamond Black Pearl Edition 30, still going strong but now back to Stg 1

Offline E30Dom

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Re: Let's talk clutches!
« Reply #9 on: February 03, 2012, 09:34:05 am »
Had the Sachs one fitted at APS yesterday with a new LUK DMF as my DMF had alot of play in it... will stick a video up... It's alot quieter on idle now and doesn't slip and feels great, heavier yes, but fine for a daily...
Diesel Daily Hack.

Offline gazon69

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Re: Let's talk clutches!
« Reply #10 on: February 03, 2012, 09:34:52 am »
Had my sachs fitted with single mass flywheel down at statllers 6 months ago. Done around 5k. Slipping already. Personall i wouldn't entertain another. Goin southbend next time around. Spoke to steve jr and he tells me he has 2 waiting to go back to be inspected. He says all sachs come back and say is its been abused.

Offline E30Dom

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Re: Let's talk clutches!
« Reply #11 on: February 03, 2012, 09:36:17 am »
Was that the 350ftlb one or the 400ftlb rated one? Also as an 'organic' clutch I believe they can glaze over if abused, but a good deal of reserved driving can restore them...
« Last Edit: February 03, 2012, 09:38:34 am by E30Dom »
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Offline gazon69

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Re: Let's talk clutches!
« Reply #12 on: February 03, 2012, 09:40:49 am »
Tbh dom i really dont drive my car hard at all. It was the 350ftlb one. My bro in law ripped the centre shaft from his. Hiw he managed that no one knows

Offline fab5freddy

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Re: Let's talk clutches!
« Reply #13 on: February 03, 2012, 10:31:16 am »
Had my sachs fitted with single mass flywheel down at statllers 6 months ago. Done around 5k. Slipping already. Personall i wouldn't entertain another. Goin southbend next time around. Spoke to steve jr and he tells me he has 2 waiting to go back to be inspected. He says all sachs come back and say is its been abused.


Gaz what state of tune are you at?

Offline gazon69

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Re: Let's talk clutches!
« Reply #14 on: February 03, 2012, 10:32:47 am »
2+ only a gti tho. Around 320-330ftlb