Time For A New Clutch... Advise Needed...

I presume much the same applies to the B5 qts 205 bhp and 255 lbs ft ?
I'm sure the clutch is starting to slip - today after a quick start - or I may have slipped it a bit too much!
 
Really good thread this, as a clutch is the only thing now between me and stage 2+

KentKid said:
I'm having the Spec Stage 3+ clutch fitted to my S3 on Wednesday (supplied and fitted via AmD Essex).

Up until now I've been running Revo Stage 2+ on the standard clutch...
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Interesting that you should say this mate, as I was thinking about going to stage 2+ on OEM clutch and then upgrading if it starts to slip on me. Im currently on stage 1 Revo and have had no issues with my clutch at all. Which is probably down to my driving style, so Im thinking I could maybe try OEM and see how I go.

Did you clutch start to slip on you or why the decision to upgrade?

Is this the one you're going for - http://www.gnjmotorsport.com/loba-m...i-tsi-2.0-1.8-stage-3-upgrade-clutch-kit.html ?? Cant see any labelled as stage 3+
 
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Mine is booked in to go straight to stage2+ on the stock clutch and see how I go.
I've budgeted £1,500 for a new one though hence why this thread is of interest!
 
s3_trev said:
Really good thread this, as a clutch is the only thing now between me and stage 2+



Interesting that you should say this mate, as I was thinking about going to stage 2+ on OEM clutch and then upgrading if it starts to slip on me. Im currently on stage 1 Revo and have had no issues with my clutch at all. Which is probably down to my driving style, so Im thinking I could maybe try OEM and see how I go.

Did you clutch start to slip on you or why the decision to upgrade?

Is this the one you're going for - http://www.gnjmotorsport.com/loba-m...i-tsi-2.0-1.8-stage-3-upgrade-clutch-kit.html ?? Cant see any labelled as stage 3+
Click to expand...

He's going for a Spec Stg3+ clutch like mine.

www.specclutch.com

It's a full face carbon/metallic clutch with steel SMF,good for 570lbs,so the gearbox will break before it does...LOL

 
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Hi s3_trev and AndyParker,

As Alex says, the Spec Stage 3+ clutch I'm getting can be found here: http://www.specclutch.com/products

Basically, my simple reasoning is this - if it's good enough for Alex's beast of a car, then it will certainly be good enough for mine!!

The Spec clutches are imported from America, so there may be tax duties and delivery charges to consider on top of any prices given - including the cost of actual fitting of course. I dropped my car off at AmD Essex this morning, so I'll let you know how much it all comes to when I pick it up on Saturday.

I also went straight from standard to Revo 2+ (just over 2 years ago now), and the stock clutch was absolutely fine for around 10k miles before it started to slip with 'spirited' driving.

I'm actually quite a leisurely driver most of the time, and don't tend to drag race from a standstill too much, which could be the reason why the OEM clutch lasted for so long.

I think the standard clutches pretty much vary on a vehicle-to-vehicle basis, so until you get the remap it's almost impossible to gauge how your clutch will react to the extra power and torque.

I know some have had their clutches slipping on them on the way back from getting a remap, some may last a week or a few months, and some (like me) seem to get away with an extended period of time before the clutch begins to slip.

So the one thing I would probably say is to bear in mind that you will need to factor in the cost for an uprated clutch if you're thinking of going to Stage 2+, but you may not necessarily need one straight away...
 
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S3Alex said:
Andy...don't forget that it's torque that kills clutches,and not power.
Click to expand...

Yes thanks mate - it just seemed a bit too good to be true at that price hence my questioning!

KentKid said:
Hi s3_trev and AndyParker,

As Alex says, the Spec Stage 3+ clutch I'm getting can be found here: http://www.specclutch.com/products

Basically, my simple reasoning is this - if it's good enough for Alex's beast of a car, then it will certainly be good enough for mine!!

The Spec clutches are imported from America, so there may be tax duties and delivery charges to consider on top of any prices given - including the cost of actual fitting of course. I dropped my car off at AmD Essex this morning, so I'll let you know how much it all comes to when I pick it up on Saturday.

I also went straight from standard to Revo 2+ (just over 2 years ago now), and the stock clutch was absolutely fine for around 10k miles before it started to slip with 'spirited' driving.

I'm actually quite a leisurely driver most of the time, and don't tend to drag race from a standstill too much, which could be the reason why the OEM clutch lasted for so long.

I think the standard clutches pretty much vary on a vehicle-to-vehicle basis, so until you get the remap it's almost impossible to gauge how your clutch will react to the extra power and torque.

I know some have had their clutches slipping on them on the way back from getting a remap, some may last a week or a few months, and some (like me) seem to get away with an extended period of time before the clutch begins to slip.

So the one thing I would probably say is to bear in mind that you will need to factor in the cost for an uprated clutch if you're thinking of going to Stage 2+, but you may not necessarily need one straight away...
Click to expand...

Be good to hear what the final cost comes out at - as mentioned I've set aside £1,500 to cover a new one as I'd read all the comments about some being OK for 10k and some for 5miles. Mine is a late pre facelift so hence wanted to err on the side of caution.

I'm not planning on going past stage2+ (hell I talked myself out of changing up to an RS4 because of the £7k cost differential but between what I've done/doing/planned I've spent almost that!!) so just trying to weigh up going for what you're just going for or what Alex had originally
 
AndyParker said:
I'm not planning on going past stage2+ (hell I talked myself out of changing up to an RS4 because of the £7k cost differential but between what I've done/doing/planned I've spent almost that!!) so just trying to weigh up going for what you're just going for or what Alex had originally
Click to expand...

Well, console yourself with the fact that the only way an RS4 will be faster is with a supercharger kit.

And even then some S3s are faster. Lol.
 
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S3Alex said:
Well, console yourself with the fact that the only way an RS4 will be faster is with a supercharger kit.

And even then some S3s are faster. Lol.
Click to expand...

Haha that's exactly what I did! Whilst I would have loved the RS4 I knew that I wouldn't be happy with it as standard and that things like a supercharger would be calling my name - in the end the head won over the heart!!
 
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Thanks for the great answers guys, Alex and KentKid. Yeah let us know how you get on and rough costings mate that would be fantastic.
 
AndyParker said:
Be good to hear what the final cost comes out at - as mentioned I've set aside £1,500 to cover a new one as I'd read all the comments about some being OK for 10k and some for 5miles. Mine is a late pre facelift so hence wanted to err on the side of caution.

I'm not planning on going past stage2+ (hell I talked myself out of changing up to an RS4 because of the £7k cost differential but between what I've done/doing/planned I've spent almost that!!) so just trying to weigh up going for what you're just going for or what Alex had originally
Click to expand...

My friend had an RS4 and he had to budget £500 month just to run it, not even in the same league of S3 running costs, including fuel (wasn't a daily driver).
Last time priced up for new pads and discs £2k !?!?! Wouldnt even like to entertain any other prices for maintenance, servicing and modifications.
 
Dan-Jnr said:
My friend had an RS4 and he had to budget £500 month just to run it, not even in the same league of S3 running costs, including fuel (wasn't a daily driver).
Last time priced up for new pads and discs £2k !?!?! Wouldnt even like to entertain any other prices for maintenance, servicing and modifications.
Click to expand...

Friend of mine had one too...lovely car,lovely noise.

Horrendous appetite for fuel and not that quick....but on the plus side,it IS an RS.
 
Dan-Jnr said:
My friend had an RS4 and he had to budget £500 month just to run it, not even in the same league of S3 running costs, including fuel (wasn't a daily driver).
Last time priced up for new pads and discs £2k !?!?! Wouldnt even like to entertain any other prices for maintenance, servicing and modifications.
Click to expand...

Just love the sound that it makes but What you've highlighted was the other reason!

Don't get me wrong guys - I definitely made the right decision to keep the S3 and the bits that I've got planned will take it to the next level.
 
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I don't know them at all but those do seem awfully cheap....
 
FYI Backdraft Motorsports are a UK stockist of Spec clutches.

And Alex I have always been wanting to ask you what your stage 3+ is like in terms of bite and daily useability. Is it more street friendly than the stage 3 because that is a 6 puck design?
 
What clutch is best for stage 2+ stage 2+ clutch kit or stage 3 kit ? I'm seriously considering ripping my stage 3 loba/ Sachs paddle clutch out and replacing it with one these I can drive it ok but no one els can cause of how jumpy it can be
 
Gfermer said:
What clutch is best for stage 2+ stage 2+ clutch kit or stage 3 kit ? I'm seriously considering ripping my stage 3 loba/ Sachs paddle clutch out and replacing it with one these I can drive it ok but no one els can cause of how jumpy it can be
Click to expand...

If I remember,the Stg3 Loba is a paddle type clutch and will be pretty snatchy around town.

If you want something practically unbreakable and usable around town,then a Spec Stg3+ like mine might suit you.
That's a full-face carbon/metallic clutch and it's fine around town,and not much heavier than a stock clutch,as well as being good for 560lbs.

Other than that,you might want to see what Brodster has on offer.

The Spec will cost around £1200+
 
Regarding the Loba clutch with SMF.... thought this maybe helpful here!
 

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Lol I can't believe it says shift like a racing driver smiley face
 
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It's a good thing that Loba have realized what it was that was causing the issue and given part numbers to fix it. Just a shame so many people have fitted their clutch kit without this information and now have to remove the clutch to fit the shim/washer to the input shaft. I have read elsewhere that other people had done something similar as there was play in the shaft that caused high RPM shifting problems.

I feel its still a big risk because it's such a high value modification with considerable labour costs to diagnose/replace. I would expect a product like this to have been extensively tested on all engine types they say it works with so that you can just fit and forget. Considering Alex has had no problems with Spec I think i know which was I will be going when the time comes.
 
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It is a bit of a shame it took them so long to sort this.

I wouldn't recommend a paddle clutch for town use anyway but that's a personal choice.
 
LVS Racing said:
We fit the Helix items, either organic or 4 paddle, personally I would go for an organic ......
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Likewise,I'd steer well clear of paddle clutches around town,as I've said before......I had one(a Helix in fact) on one of the Cosworths,and it was predictably atrocious in traffic.
Either in or out,and nothing in between.

I think there are such a variety of good alternatives in terms of either organic or carbon/metallic full face clutches around,that these just aren't worth considering for road use.
 
Blimey now were talking the old school Fords, I had a S2 ERST running huge power with a paddle in.. I could not drive it in traffic was terrible.
 
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LVS Racing said:
Blimey now were talking the old school Fords, I had a S2 ERST running huge power with a paddle in.. I could not drive it in traffic was terrible.
Click to expand...

The one I was talking about was a Sierra Cosworth with around 440bhp/440lbs and that clutch on that car was just a pig.

The Escort on the other hand was just about OK on an organic clutch provided I didn't roast it too often......that would cope with side-stepping the clutch at 4500rpm and just letting the diffs sort it out,whereas the Audi just isn't made of the same stuff.
 
S3Alex said:
If I remember,the Stg3 Loba is a paddle type clutch and will be pretty snatchy around town.

If you want something practically unbreakable and usable around town,then a Spec Stg3+ like mine might suit you.
That's a full-face carbon/metallic clutch and it's fine around town,and not much heavier than a stock clutch,as well as being good for 560lbs.

Other than that,you might want to see what Brodster has on offer.

The Spec will cost around £1200+
Click to expand...
Well I started with the stage 2 and it was faulty so got the stage 3 put in (never got a refund but that a diff story ) It's a bit of a pain tbh it's only a weekend car for me but still annoys me sometimes so my plan is to take it out and replace it with the one you have mention above next year means that the girlfriend can actually use it if need be, so ill start saving after Xmas I think thanks for the advice guys
 
Gfermer said:
Well I started with the stage 2 and it was faulty so got the stage 3 put in (never got a refund but that a diff story ) It's a bit of a pain tbh it's only a weekend car for me but still annoys me sometimes so my plan is to take it out and replace it with the one you have mention above next year means that the girlfriend can actually use it if need be, so ill start saving after Xmas I think thanks for the advice guys
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This is the same as I've heard from friends elsewhere.

Once you've bought it you are on your own and I think that's a poor way to operate.
 
S3Alex said:
This is the same as I've heard from friends elsewhere.

Once you've bought it you are on your own and I think that's a poor way to operate.
Click to expand...
Yep basically said It was fine and I wasn't the only one, I checked that clutch out says it's about 1300 dollars which coverts to £800 that about right Alex?
 
Gfermer said:
Yep basically said It was fine and I wasn't the only one, I checked that clutch out says it's about 1300 dollars which coverts to £800 that about right Alex?
Click to expand...

By the time you add in shipping and duty
and then labour etc I'd say nearer £1200.
 
Gfermer said:
I checked that clutch out says it's about 1300 dollars which coverts to £800 that about right Alex?
Click to expand...

S3Alex said:
By the time you add in shipping and duty
and then labour etc I'd say nearer £1200.
Click to expand...

Morning all,

I had the Spec Stage 3+ clutch fitted to my S3 by AmD Essex around 4 weeks ago now.

I had a few things done at the same time, but I made a point of asking Ben how much it worked out at for just the clutch and he told me around £1600.

As Alex mentions, there's sales tax to consider on to top of any price quoted on the website; along with import duty, shipping, and fitting...
 
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thanks guys just wanted to knowthe price of the clutch and flywheel at the moment so i can save for it then ill deal with fitting once ive got it i notice on there website it only goes up to 2009 as the year of car? and its stage3+ clutch with steel flywheel? what about the billet flywheel friction plate replacement do i need this? please excuse me as im a bit of a novice at this
 
Eeeek.....I did buy mine a couple of yrs ago of course.
 
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KentKid said:
Morning all,

I had the Spec Stage 3+ clutch fitted to my S3 by AmD Essex around 4 weeks ago now.

I had a few things done at the same time, but I made a point of asking Ben how much it worked out at for just the clutch and he told me around £1600.

As Alex mentions, there's sales tax to consider on to top of any price quoted on the website; along with import duty, shipping, and fitting...
Click to expand...



Wow £1600 just for Clutch!!!!!


:undwech:


.
 
Depends how much they took to fit it suppose could of been £500 fitting charge well looks like I better start saving up reading this post has been very helpful as I really like my s3 it's just a 59 shark stage 3 but I can't see me wanting to change anytime soon and I was worried I may need to sell if it becomes that's the mrs and I have to share one car and I have another for work as the clutch I have at the moment she would not manage to drive it so would rather change the clutch than the car thanks a lot for the advice
 
grchmason said:
Wow £1600 just for Clutch!!!!!


:undwech:


.
Click to expand...

yes...but when you look at the product it's as tough as old boots.

You just know the gearbox will break before the clutch does......
 
Gfermer said:
Depends how much they took to fit it suppose could of been £500 fitting charge well looks like I better start saving up reading this post has been very helpful as I really like my s3 it's just a 59 shark stage 3 but I can't see me wanting to change anytime soon and I was worried I may need to sell if it becomes that's the mrs and I have to share one car and I have another for work as the clutch I have at the moment she would not manage to drive it so would rather change the clutch than the car thanks a lot for the advice
Click to expand...

No...I don't think the charges were anything like that,certainly mine wasn't.

What I did notice when I imported a pile of bits from the States recently was how much the import duties amounted to.....serious cash on top of the parts.
 
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