Urgent: About to install a DMF Sachs Clutch. Should I go SMF?

[NCRAW]

Hi Guys,

I have already purchased the SRE Performance Kit which fits the LUK Dual Mass Flywheel. I'm running APR Stage 2+ and not planning to go any further in terms of power. My initial worry was that i received the wrong clutch plate as there are no spring dampers built in but I believe it is the correct one. Can anyone confirm this pls by looking at the picture below?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/NCRAW/IMG_1113.jpg

My second concern is how long before the flywheel starts wearing off due to the extra torque. I never do launches and always blip the throttle when down changing in the mountains. I had this discussion before when I was looking at the DMF option Vs a Loba SMF kit. Just need to confirm before installing. Last thing I want to do is to pull off the box again and replace the DMF. This is my daily driver btw. Many thanks

 

[mjr901]

Speak to S3Alex or GNJ Motorsport.

 

[S3Alex]

If its a daily driver and you aren't going beyond Stg2+ and 400lbs then a DMF will be fine.

I managed perfectly well with the Sachs and DMF until we got beyond 440 lbs.

An SMF setup is required on most of the heavy duty clutches such as the Spec ,Southbend and so on but will sound grumbly at best and add a lot of harshness which you probably won't want.

Given what you've said about your driving style which sounds like mine(I.e not wrecking the car) then I'd be surprised if you have problems.

Remember to go easy on the clutch for a good few hundred miles and let it bed in before going for it as a few people have managed to skin a Sachs in a few thousand miles by not doing so.

 

[max69vk]

Remember to go easy on the clutch for a good few hundred miles and let it bed in before going for it as a few people have managed to skin a Sachs in a few thousand miles by not doing so.

Ooooh! A skinned Sach sounds painful!

 

[S3Alex]

Ooooh! A skinned Sach sounds painful!

Concentrates the mind !

 

[NCRAW]

Thanks for the info mate. Very helpful. I think I will go ahead with it and call my mechanic and book it for a weekend drop.

If its a daily driver and you aren't going beyond Stg2+ and 400lbs then a DMF will be fine.

I managed perfectly well with the Sachs and DMF until we got beyond 440 lbs.

An SMF setup is required on most of the heavy duty clutches such as the Spec ,Southbend and so on but will sound grumbly at best and add a lot of harshness which you probably won't want.

Given what you've said about your driving style which sounds like mine(I.e not wrecking the car) then I'd be surprised if you have problems.

Remember to go easy on the clutch for a good few hundred miles and let it bed in before going for it as a few people have managed to skin a Sachs in a few thousand miles by not doing so.

 

[S3Alex]

Thanks for the info mate. Very helpful. I think I will go ahead with it and call my mechanic and book it for a weekend drop.

A pleasure....I think for a car that doesn't absolutely NEED an SMF setup,then your's is by far the best way to go.
The Spec is very light and easy to use,but the overall effect is pretty grumbly at idle,and a fair bit of thrash thrown in.

 

[NCRAW]

Time for an update. I dropped the car last Tuesday and picked it up on sat. All went smoothly in terms on installation. The SRE clutch and dmf fitted like factory according to the mechanic, the bilstein pss10s installed and the hawk pads were replaced with zimmermann. Driver door adjusted and new battery thrown in.

Took the car for alignment. Must say I love the new feel. The clutch feels really nice, slightly heavier than stock which I prefer, the pick up point is slightly higher and modulation is shorter (it's not button clutch but shorter than stock). I was told not to nurse it too much and drive it normal. Just no launches or dumping of clutch which I don't anyway. The gear change is smooth and clutch action between gears is beautiful. Traffic lights takeoffs are slightly harder but something I got used to within the first 100 kms. Only thing I noticed is that there is a bit of shudder when trying to park or reverse parking (both actions require riding the clutch a bit). The shudder has considerably reduced now that I have done 260 kms but still a bit there and I can still smell the clutch a bit when that happens. Is that normal at this low kms? I suppose it's diff material and design than oem clutch and it might put a bit more load on the dmf but I'm hoping it will last the distance. I couldn't resist to push it a bit while in gear (no full boost yet) and it feels awesome. Just the shudder which I'm hoping it will subside after a bit more driving.

A pleasure....I think for a car that doesn't absolutely NEED an SMF setup,then your's is by far the best way to go.
The Spec is very light and easy to use,but the overall effect is pretty grumbly at idle,and a fair bit of thrash thrown in.

 

[S3Alex]

Remember to go easy on the clutch for a good few hundred miles and let it bed in properly.
If you do that,it should last,and smells and the clutch grabbing a bit are not uncommon initially.

 

[NCRAW]

Sorry mate, but what is exactly "taking it easy"? I'm assuming definitely no launches, no hard take offs, no full boost, how about the normal day to day driving (normal traffic light takeoffs) and accelerating to overtake etc? I'm a bit nerveous and want to get this right. I also normally blip the throttle to rev match when changing down. Should I continue with that?

Oh one more thing I noticed yesterday which i dont think was there when i picked the car or the day after is that there is vibration and harshness when I'm doing 100kph on 6th or 80 on 5th and then take my foot off the accelerator. it lasts for about 10 kph (so down to 90 or 70) then it disappears but I noticed that it disappears straight away if I press the clutch pedal. It is as if the clutch is causing the car to shake while its slowing down. It disappears as soon I accelerate. Its like a certain harmonic vibration. Wondering if its due to clutch design (having no dampening) or its there while bedding in. Sorry for the many questions.

Remember to go easy on the clutch for a good few hundred miles and let it bed in properly.
If you do that,it should last,and smells and the clutch grabbing a bit are not uncommon initially.

 

[S3Alex]

Sorry mate, but what is exactly "taking it easy"? I'm assuming definitely no launches, no hard take offs, no full boost, how about the normal day to day driving (normal traffic light takeoffs) and accelerating to overtake etc? I'm a bit nerveous and want to get this right. I also normally blip the throttle to rev match when changing down. Should I continue with that?

That's it.

Just treat it gently for a while before giving it any harsh treatment....it's an organic based material and being baked immediately doesn't do it any good.

The thing I have is a carbon/metallic based clutch and didn't need any bedding in,but the previous Sachs did benefit from that.

 

[NCRAW]

Thanks again mate

Well so far so good. Only issue remaining is the vibrations I'm getting at 2200 rpm while doing 60kph and on 4th. Il try the same set up front and rear on the coil overs though doubt that will fix it. I reckon it's the subframe bolting, I'm especially suspecting the dogbone bolt on the g'box side

That's it.

Just treat it gently for a while before giving it any harsh treatment....it's an organic based material and being baked immediately doesn't do it any good.

The thing I have is a carbon/metallic based clutch and didn't need any bedding in,but the previous Sachs did benefit from that.