Spec Stage 3+ clutch

[S3Alex]

In a shameless piece of crossposting,here's something that anyone who needs a really tough clutch should look at...(they also do some lighter duty clutches).

I needed a clutch to replace my Sachs,which had finally given up beyond 440lbs,and Revo had recommended a look at Spec,so eventually I settled on a Spec Stg3+,which is a sprung full plate carbon/metallic clutch rated to around 570lbs,and looked about right.

AMDTuning imported one for me,and are also now importers for them,and aside from a problem with the first plate having an incorrect bearing,the rest of the fitting went well.

Now......how does it work in practice?

Having had a few paddle clutches previously,I'd been expecting Arnie's leg exercises from it,but instead it's light and easy to use,and once you're moving,it really does feel as easy as the stock clutch.

Like with all sintered clutches,it will grab a bit if you slip it,but really it is MUCH better than any paddle clutch I've ever tried.

Now the other thing that we all(myself included) think about when going from the DMF to an SMF setup,is the amount of engine thrash and vibration that's going to get through when the DMF is gone.

This really isn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be.
It's a little noisier than the Sachs but the clonking from the old DMF has gone so no complaints.

 

[mjr901]

looks Sexy! Shame you cant really see it everyday......

Hope it performs for a long time! :icon_thumright:

 

[S3Alex]

looks Sexy! Shame you cant really see it everyday......Hope it performs for a long time! :icon_thumright:

Thanks!.....the weight alone should guarantee that...each of these is built up to order,and they're used in the US in some of the Grand-Am cars so they have to deal with "good-ole boy" V8s and so on,but a torque rating of nearly 600lbs should see me right.

 

[mjr901]

Thanks!.....the weight alone should guarantee that...each of these is built up to order,and they're used in the US in some of the Grand-Am cars so they have to deal with "good-ole boy" V8s and so on,but a torque rating of nearly 600lbs should see me right.

Are you gonna go any further with you S3? like 600bhp style? like this apparently has?

Audi S3 2.0 TFSI - 600bhp porfiris big turbo kit (ECU remap by Etuners) - YouTube

 

[S3Alex]

Are you gonna go any further with you S3? like 600bhp style? like this apparently has?Audi S3 2.0 TFSI - 600bhp porfiris big turbo kit (ECU remap by Etuners) - YouTube

Loads to come yet.....
Not sure where the power will end,but there are a few other developments which I really can't discuss right now,but should appear sometime soon.

 

[mjr901]

More..... huh!

Your car must live at AMD???


Have you had much drive time!??

 

[S.]

hi alex, what's the price AMD is selling them for?
my clutch seems to be in a bad shape, and seems that my tuner set my map to lower torque so i don't kill it lol
so i'm considering LOBA/Sachs combo or Spec...

 

[S3Alex]

More..... huh!Your car must live at AMD???Have you had much drive time!??

Yeh.....it has regular booked holidays down there and loves a few weeks down by the shops....!
It's an everyday drive.

 

[S3Alex]

hi alex, what's the price AMD is selling them for?my clutch seems to be in a bad shape, and seems that my tuner set my map to lower torque so i don't kill it lol so i'm considering LOBA/Sachs combo or Spec...

This thing may be a bit of overkill for your car,but the other Spec clutches would certainly be worth a look also,and if you wanted something bulletproof,then the Stg3+ would fit the bill.
Price was about £1200 + labour if I remember,but that includes,clutch,pressure plate,and flywheel.

 

[S.]

well...i'm thinking two moves ahead

it's a shame as i can't enjoy full stage 2+ experience because of clutch..and it doesn't help the fact that funds aren't good right now...

 

[S3Alex]

well...i'm thinking two moves ahead it's a shame as i can't enjoy full stage 2+ experience because of clutch..and it doesn't help the fact that funds aren't good right now...

I always try to do that,as it does save money in the end,and it means you get a better car into the bargain......that piece of metal will see you all the way to Stg4.

 

[flying oyster]

i recently moved to a smf with a heavy clutch and have been amazed by how quiet it all is plus the feel on the peddle is like stock if not better

 

[NCRAW]

Its posts like these that confuse the heck out of me hehe. Everytime i settle on dmf i see these comments and think maybe i should go with a smf from SPEC or Loba or Sachs for that matter. Is it really like stock in terms of vibrations? what about when idling. These engines are not that stable at idle and dont want more vibrations.

 

[S3Alex]

i recently moved to a smf with a heavy clutch and have been amazed by how quiet it all is plus the feel on the peddle is like stock if not better

I was surprised by how light the pedal on this is....so were the guys at AMDTuning who fitted it.
Seems strange to have a clutch that will handle nearly twice what the stock clutch did,and still be so light and easy to use......someone's done a really good job.

 

[S3Alex]

Its posts like these that confuse the heck out of me hehe. Everytime i settle on dmf i see these comments and think maybe i should go with a smf from SPEC or Loba or Sachs for that matter. Is it really like stock in terms of vibrations? what about when idling. These engines are not that stable at idle and dont want more vibrations.

It depends on what you want,or have plans to do.....
If you want something that's virtually unbreakable for drag starts and 1/4miles,or plan to add a big turbo,then this thing would fit the bill beautifully,but if not,the Sachs plus DMF may well be a better option as well as more usable around town.

 

[NCRAW]

What about a LOBA SMF with the Sachs Organic and plate?

Or a Stage 2 Spec (or maybe 2+)

I'm sorry for going around in circles as I know we discussed this but I just want to make sure. I dont do 1/4 miles or drags. Mainly daily and the very regular mountain twisties (hill climbs and down hills).

 

[S3Alex]

What about a LOBA SMF with the Sachs Organic and plate? Or a Stage 2 Spec (or maybe 2+) I'm sorry for going around in circles as I know we discussed this but I just want to make sure. I dont do 1/4 miles or drags. Mainly daily and the very regular mountain twisties (hill climbs and down hills).

This would just be my own feelings on this.....If you don't go above Stg2+ on software,and you don't want a big turbo,then stick with an organic clutch,as lots of hill starts are not going to go well with a sintered clutch.
The SMF side of things doesn't need to be worried about really,as it won't add a lot of thrash from the engine....it will sound a bit more snarly in the car,but not awful,and the Spec Stg2 or 2+ should be fine as well.

 

[flying oyster]

i get no more vibration through mine had a bit of chatter at first but thats gone since bedding
i would of gone dmf again but decided i might play a little more so seemed best bet to over engineer for the torque
as s3 alex said you should be fine with stg2

 

[NCRAW]

Tempting. So for SMF choices are

1) Sachs SMF kit
2) Loba SMF with sachs clutch and face
3) SPEC stage 2 or 2+. Which flywheel would you go with?

 

[S.]

won't go LOBA/Sachs or Spec. just had a chat with my Revo dealer about my car and he mentioned that in a few weeks he's getting his own clutch kit wich will be good for 500+ Nm and will probably use my car for a test vehicle... good news

 

[S3Alex]

won't go LOBA/Sachs or Spec. just had a chat with my Revo dealer about my car and he mentioned that in a few weeks he's getting his own clutch kit wich will be good for 500+ Nm and will probably use my car for a test vehicle... good news

Just remember that 500Nm is 370lbs.

The Sachs will easily cope with that,and the Spec will deal with well over 700Nm.

Check what you're getting before you have it installed.

 

[S.]

yes i know that. he told me that it would be good for 700Nm, he invested a lot into development and he will be doing all the work on my car. will wait and see what will be when he gets them. it is good to know there is another solution.

 

[NCRAW]

There are enough SMF solutions already its the DMF that we are stuck with LUK. I think with APR2+ im pulling around 450+ NM so Sachs/Loba and Spec 2 are good for me. Problem is getting them to Australia. You guys are so lucky. Everytime I have an issue and need parts I have to wait ages for them to arrive. Meanwhile i feel my car is getting damaged as i drive it. Something strange happened after i replaced the brakes and now handling sucks and im starting to hear a faint whine sound. dont think its the diff (cant see it damaging by jacking up the car and putting it on jack stands), i think its one of the tyres due to some how stuffing up the toe/camber setup when changing brakes. dont know how but im waiting on the PSS10s to arrive plus two more tyres (other two arrived a week ago) to do the whole thing in one hit.

 

[S.]

there are lots of solutions already but as you mentioned, shipping + vat and it gets really expensive. there are no spec or LOBA dealers over here so the price would be too much at the moment...

 

[NCRAW]

Just had contact from Loba. I will see what they will offer in terms of price including clutch release bearing. Keep us posted on your progress. They say its a beautiful part of the world there, one day I'm planning a trip to Croatia

 

[torquemaster]

Nice review. How is the high RPM gear shifting now? I heard some rumors. Also on this forum: "..with this clutch the feeling of the gear shift is a bit harder." http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/new-a3-s3-sportback-8p-chassis/109405-review-spec-stage-3-clutch.html

 

[S3Alex]

Nice review. How is the high RPM gear shifting now? I heard some rumors. Also on this forum: "..with this clutch the feeling of the gear shift is a bit harder." http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/new-a3-s3-sportback-8p-chassis/109405-review-spec-stage-3-clutch.html

Gear shifting is fine.

Feels pretty much the same as with the Sachs to be honest and all of the worries about sticky shifts and SMFs seem to be a thing of the past with this

I can run 2bar of boost and sufficient torque to get the TC up in 1st through 3rd gears without problems.

Great piece of kit.

 

[Kelza]

Guess what i,m getting next lol

 

[S3Alex]

Guess what i,m getting next lol

I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Just remember to not slip it too much and it'll be fine.
I'm really pleased with it.

 

[Kelza]

Hi alex just need to sell my brand new sachs ,then i,m on it

 

[S3Alex]

Hi alex just need to sell my brand new sachs ,then i,m on it

It's an excellent road friendly clutch.

Compared to some of the paddle clutch things I've had before this is a joy around town.

 

[Kelza]

Glad to hear that and i promise not to slip it that much

 

[S3Alex]

Glad to hear that and i promise not to slip it that much

It just burns the carbon/metallic plates up.

The grip and torque ratings are superb but whilst it's not quite the in or out of a paddle clutch it's going to get pretty hot!

 

[devonmikeyboy]

Clutchmaster FX850 Clutch Masters- Your High Performance Specialists

 

[S3Alex]

Clutchmaster FX850

Thanks Mikey,but I've already got a clutch,and the thread was to pass a review of that on to other members.

 

[devonmikeyboy]

I got the Spec 3+ fitted to my Audi and has been a very good easy to use high torque clutch which has lasted five years of abuse/road driving. Problem is i also had it fitted to my turbo R32 and the pressure plate broke up within two months. If people can afford it i would say get the FX850 i have fitted now or the Loba/Sachs twin plate.

 

[S3Alex]

I got the Spec 3+ fitted to my Audi and has been a very good easy to use high torque clutch which has lasted five years of abuse/road driving. Problem is i also had it fitted to my turbo R32 and the pressure plate broke up within two months. If people can afford it i would say get the FX850 i have fitted now or the Loba/Sachs twin plate.

Thanks Mikey....I see what you're getting at now.
From what you say,there may be a quality control or manufacturing issue there,as mine was originally sent out with an incorrect centre bearing.....other than that,I can't complain and the thing is dealing with a shedload of torque now.

 

[Tortel]

I am using this clutch since over a year and a half ago (more than 15k milles) with a stage 2+ S3 and my feedback cannot be better. I also tried the Sachs kit, and the Spec Stage 3+ is much more comfortable on a daily use and it seems to tollerate much better a really tough drive (track days, etc). For the price of a Sachs+ Stock DMF you can get the Spec with the SMF.

 

[S3Alex]

It's certainly more grumbly than the DMF but feels light and easy to use and most importantly deals with the full torque with no problems.

So much so that my new problem is traction!

 

[Tortel]

It's certainly more grumbly than the DMF but feels light and easy to use and most importantly deals with the full torque with no problems.

So much so that my new problem is traction!

Nice to hear that! Can you make it oversteer using the trottle? With the stage2+ is quite complicated unless the tarmac is wet (I have the Haldex controller too )

I am thinking about upgrading the turbo of my S3, but I am a bit concerned as I do an important milleage...