Results of a hard Stage 5 clutch on a stock Cupra BWJ engine

[danishmkvgti]

I just want to share the thoughts regarding a 90.000km BWJ engine which had a stage 5 sintered metal clutch fitted for app. 44.000km.
Owner had a knee injury which resulted in the stage 5 clutch being to hard for him to use on the track. The car is REVO stage 2+ so only a modest 350+ bhp.
He then tried my Sachs SMF solution and on the background of my experiences with this bought the LOBA stage 2 SMF solution that is closer to OEM clutchpedal feel.
This is the stage 5 clutch plate state when we took it out



After a week with this solution he returned to the shop with more oil smoke from his exhaust than i have ever seen.
When taking the engine apart the head of the balanceshaft had snapped, and the oil pickup was filled with metal parts.





So why has this happened and could it have something to do with the new clutch fitted?

We then discovered this



Massive sideways movement in the crank as a result of the hard stage 5 clutch on a stock engine. As long as it had the hard clutch it worked but when the weaker solution was fitted there was sideways movement when running resulting in the head of the balance shaft to snap.

The metal parts in the oil pick up had lower the oil pressure resulting in this



So it's a new engine and turbo for this poor chap.  

So the morale must be: only pick the level of upgrade that is needed for your level of tune. choosing a race clutch doesn't make a car into a race car but may have bade sideeffects.

Just wanted to share  

[Hurdy]

Ouch. Nasty.

[Pikey Motorsports]

southbend? i wouldnt use stage 5 on the street especially if a daily

[danishmkvgti]

southbend? i wouldnt use stage 5 on the street especially if a daily

Yes, Southbend, a theses is that the clutch has been dropped instead of easy engaged which should have resulted in the damage to the clutch itself as seen in the first picture.
Still i'm amazed by the damage using to hard a clutch can result in 

[Pikey Motorsports]

they are aggressive my stage 3 is snappy.. but the helix etc just isnt upto the job for big power

[vRSAlex]

I've fitted (but not supplied) southbend before. Poor quality and fitment. Friction material that melts to flywheels, clutches that start grabbing, unable to change at high rpm etc.

Deffo stick with Helix or sachs. Helix will have their twin plate kit out soon. Mine has been on order for a while. Soft pedal and oem pull away.

[danishmkvgti]

I've fitted (but not supplied) southbend before. Poor quality and fitment. Friction material that melts to flywheels, clutches that start grabbing, unable to change at high rpm etc.

Deffo stick with Helix or sachs. Helix will have their twin plate kit out soon. Mine has been on order for a while. Soft pedal and oem pull away.

How much rattle do you expect from the twin plate setup Alex?