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Author Topic: 2.0 TFSI LOBA SMF/SACHS Clutch Kit Review  (Read 14897 times)

Lee M

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2.0 TFSI LOBA SMF/SACHS Clutch Kit Review
« on: August 10, 2013, 12:13:31 am »
SACHS/LOBA SMF Clutch Kit – 2.0 TFSI

SEAT Leon Cupra Stage 2+

I’ve had the kit fitted for over 5k miles now so I thought I’'d do a review of how it’s been so far.

My clutch needed replacing because it had just started to slip and I wanted to get it sorted before it caused me any issues.  The car had done 30k miles.

I spent quite a bit of time trying to find a kit that fitted all of my requirements as close as possible, which was OEM feel, useable on a daily basis, no rattling/excess mechanical noise and capable of handling the up-rated power of the re-mapped car.  I considered a few of the big name kits, speaking with suppliers, specialist garages and various forum users to help make my decision.

My research had told me that to retain as close to OEM feel the best solution was to re-install a OEM DMF and up-rated clutch kit.  However I’d also found that there were a few issues surrounding clutch failure on the TFSI standard and modified cars that pointed to DMF failure as the cause.

I made a decision to go for the LOBA Single Mass Fly/Sachs kit based on other user’s feedback and research.  I also received some great advice from Simon at LOBA, who responded quickly and honestly to my many e-mails. Plus helpful advice from AMD Technik (Essex) who luckily for me were a stockist of the LOBA/Sachs kit.

Following the removal the fault was down to a dual mass flywheel failure.


The First 500 Miles
When I first picked the car up I noticed straight away that the clutch pedal was heavier than standard, but not as much as I was expecting.  Some increase in clutch pedal feel and pressure was expected with an up-rated kit. The initial feel of the clutch engaging was a bit more aggressive but feeling positive in its operation.

I had to get used to the biting point of the new clutch when setting off as you need to adjust to the different feel of the kit.  In essence you need to give higher revs when engaging the clutch.

Noise wise there is a very slight sound of the flywheel when the car is idling or when you lift off the clutch and coast under engine load.  But compared to others that I’ve heard it is hardly noticeable.  I’m a pretty fussy customer and I can easily live with this on a daily basis.  You get a slight increase in noise from the SMF on idle if you have the A/C switched on.

The only downside to the kit was the smell of clutch that you initially get when setting off and worse when reversing, this was something that worried me but was advised that it would stop after approx. 300 to 500 miles of use, which it did.


500 to 5k Miles
Having been driving the car for a while with the kit fitted I am really pleased that I chose it.  Now that the kit has bedded, in nicely it is great to drive on a daily basis and it’s not far off of OEM feel.

Don’t get me wrong the pedal is still heavier than standard but you do get used to this early on, also the slight mechanical noise is still there but as I said before its not too intrusive.

The kit so far has coped well with the up-rated power, providing smooth gear changes and easy operation.

As a compromise between fitting and up-rated kit to your modified TFSI and retaining a useable clutch that doesn’t spoil the every day use of your car, the LOBA SMF/Sachs kit is a great choice.

Offline VWPalmer

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Re: 2.0 TFSI LOBA SMF/SACHS Clutch Kit Review
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2013, 02:04:22 pm »
Good review and very timely too as I was just looking at this kit for my car, how much did you pay for the clutch?

Lee M

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Re: 2.0 TFSI LOBA SMF/SACHS Clutch Kit Review
« Reply #2 on: August 10, 2013, 06:27:49 pm »
Good review and very timely too as I was just looking at this kit for my car, how much did you pay for the clutch?

Hi mate. £1263 inc. vat fitted plus £55+vat for a clutch release bearing.

Offline Bignod00

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Re: 2.0 TFSI LOBA SMF/SACHS Clutch Kit Review
« Reply #3 on: August 10, 2013, 10:14:00 pm »
Glad your happy with it matey! I'm sure I was one of the people who you were talking to about it!?!!

:happy2: :laugh: :signLOL: :happy2:


4WD Leon Cupra TTE420 K1, maybe slightly modded. :evilgrin:

Lee M

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Re: 2.0 TFSI LOBA SMF/SACHS Clutch Kit Review
« Reply #4 on: August 10, 2013, 10:30:07 pm »
Glad your happy with it matey! I'm sure I was one of the people who you were talking to about it!?!!

:happy2: :laugh: :signLOL: :happy2:

Yes mate. Your feedback and advice for my choice was more than helpful.

Solid advice as always :-)

Offline cheungy

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Re: 2.0 TFSI LOBA SMF/SACHS Clutch Kit Review
« Reply #5 on: August 10, 2013, 11:03:56 pm »
Experienced many Transmission problems with my car but not once did the Sach+Loba Clutch Kit failed (until I broke it myself by dropping it  :sad1:)

Using Stage 3 Sintered Sach Clutch with a Loba Single Mass Flywheel (now with a Rebuilt Box + Millers Gearbox Oil)

Initial Bit is a bit snappy but it's not too bad and the chatter is there because of the flywheel but again it's not that loud...if It is loud then something is wrong with the gearbox do not leave it too LATE! otherwise it will die on your! (be warned!)

When my clutch plate was broken I needed a replacement asap and LOBA support literally delivered a replacement from Germany without day or 2! Service was Mega!

High Recommended! & Excellent piece of kit!
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Offline vRSAlex

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Re: 2.0 TFSI LOBA SMF/SACHS Clutch Kit Review
« Reply #6 on: August 11, 2013, 12:26:59 am »
With the release bearing/slave cylinder, grab a sachs one from euros. Around 30 quid inc vat.
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Lee M

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Re: 2.0 TFSI LOBA SMF/SACHS Clutch Kit Review
« Reply #7 on: August 11, 2013, 10:20:32 pm »
Experienced many Transmission problems with my car but not once did the Sach+Loba Clutch Kit failed (until I broke it myself by dropping it  :sad1:)

Using Stage 3 Sintered Sach Clutch with a Loba Single Mass Flywheel (now with a Rebuilt Box + Millers Gearbox Oil)

Initial Bit is a bit snappy but it's not too bad and the chatter is there because of the flywheel but again it's not that loud...if It is loud then something is wrong with the gearbox do not leave it too LATE! otherwise it will die on your! (be warned!)

When my clutch plate was broken I needed a replacement asap and LOBA support literally delivered a replacement from Germany without day or 2! Service was Mega!

High Recommended! & Excellent piece of kit!

Glad your sorted again mate.

Cheers for the advice on noise. Worth bearing in mind for the future.

Offline john_o

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Re: 2.0 TFSI LOBA SMF/SACHS Clutch Kit Review
« Reply #8 on: August 12, 2013, 09:57:19 pm »
nice review thanks.  :happy2:

DMF is there to soften things for crank
Any information on long term usage of a SMF and crankshaft etc wear?

Im interested to hear anyone whos ran an SMF for any noticeable mileage.

FWIW this is the very kit Id picked for mine when it goes  :grin:
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Lee M

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Re: 2.0 TFSI LOBA SMF/SACHS Clutch Kit Review
« Reply #9 on: August 16, 2013, 06:03:25 pm »
nice review thanks.  :happy2:

DMF is there to soften things for crank
Any information on long term usage of a SMF and crankshaft etc wear?

Im interested to hear anyone whos ran an SMF for any noticeable mileage.

FWIW this is the very kit Id picked for mine when it goes  :grin:

Time will tell mate. I have heard of failures, but if someone pulled my pants down and stuck 360 lbft straight up me I'm not sure I'd cope too well with it ;-)

Offline Vasekk

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Re: 2.0 TFSI LOBA SMF/SACHS Clutch Kit Review
« Reply #10 on: August 16, 2013, 09:22:10 pm »
Is there any difference between Loba SMF and Sachs SMF? Looks same for me. I remember sachs group buy here and some problems were reported during shifting at high revs.
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Offline danishmkvgti

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Re: 2.0 TFSI LOBA SMF/SACHS Clutch Kit Review
« Reply #11 on: August 16, 2013, 09:25:47 pm »
Is there any difference between Loba SMF and Sachs SMF? Looks same for me. I remember sachs group buy here and some problems were reported during shifting at high revs.

The single mass flywheel of the LOBA kit is different from the Sachs. It prevents the clutch from being sucked onto the flywheel at high revs  :happy2:

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Offline DomBacon

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Re: 2.0 TFSI LOBA SMF/SACHS Clutch Kit Review
« Reply #12 on: September 25, 2013, 10:37:40 pm »
Got a stage 1 revo map and my clutch started slipping straight away  :sad1:

Still cant make my mind up between loba SMF/sachs clutch kit or stay DMF with a helix clutch though :(




Offline robern2

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Re: 2.0 TFSI LOBA SMF/SACHS Clutch Kit Review
« Reply #13 on: September 26, 2013, 01:44:47 pm »
Got a stage 1 revo map and my clutch started slipping straight away  :sad1:

Still cant make my mind up between loba SMF/sachs clutch kit or stay DMF with a helix clutch though :(

Original DMF and Helix on mine for over 30k, granted this was fitted 3.5 years ago but back then was £750 inc fitting (with new release bearing) so budgets may be a factor ?



Offline DomBacon

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Re: 2.0 TFSI LOBA SMF/SACHS Clutch Kit Review
« Reply #14 on: September 26, 2013, 09:27:23 pm »
Original DMF and Helix on mine for over 30k, granted this was fitted 3.5 years ago but back then was £750 inc fitting (with new release bearing) so budgets may be a factor ?



Well I was speaking to Al from awesome gti and he said that ideally I should replace my dmf with a new one if I got a helix kit which then would cost me £871 with out fitting! I don't want to spend that sort of money if the flywheel was just going to give up after a couple months like a lot of peoples