Re: Clutches....

[David LeDeaux <das@runt.net>]

Speaking of clutches....  my little rocco-in-tha-worx needs a new clutch
before I put it on the road.  I have an '80, which I believe has a 190 mm
clutch.  What all would I need to replace to put in a 210 mm clutch... if
that's even possible and/or worth it?

At 09:46 PM 12/16/97 -0700, Iain Mannix wrote:
>
>
>Saw some talk about clutches here recently, the clunk and thump posts, I
>believe, so I figured I'd share what I know about clutches.  As far as
>Sachs sport clutches, they seem way overpriced.  A friend has one in his
>ITB GTI, and his car has a much more authoritative launch than my DSP GTI,
>but other than that, I see no reason to get one - at ProSolo events, I am
>sure he picks up a tenth or so on the launch - but I believe he paid $500
>for it.  None for me.
>
>I am currently using a Sachs 210mm clutch - stock everything with a 16v
>pressure plate.  If I overcook the launch, I can sometimes spin the disc
>for a second(less than a second, really), but once it hooks up, it is
>fine.  No slippage, has 50 or so events on it, plus 20k at least.  No
>complaints.  I might try a solid disc - no springs - as I have heard that
>they seem to make power transmission more positive.  Don't know.  My car
>puts out 117 at the crank, it is driven aggressively, and I have found no
>reason whatsoever to use a "Sport" clutch - especially considering the
>price.  I believe my Sachs OEM clutch/16v PP cost less than $200, seems
>to be wearing fine, and hooks up well - when I do momentarily spin the
>disc, which has happened twice, if the clutch had grabbed, the wheels
>would have simply spun.  The times the disc has spun were both at sealevel
>- my normal launch RPM is 5000/slip the clutch fairly quickly.  At sea
>level, I do it at about 4k, as the extra power does make a big difference
>- both times, it was at an autocross, first or second run - once at a
>Tour, once at Nationals, get a wee bit too aggro, oops, have to lift a
>smidge, get it back, go.  It is breif, no smell, barely perceptible.  I
>probably launch my car as hard as anyone on the list - it is possible to
>be more abusive, IE, sidestepping the clutch, but the way I do it is only
>hard on the clutch, it does not shock the engine mounts, CVs, etc - jsut
>slip the clutch to get going.  
>
>I've ridden with people who seem to like the thud a dumped clutch makes -
>it makes me cringe.  Some people will _dump_ the clutch, shocking
>everything, trying to get "rubber" out of the car, be it in first or
>shifting to the next gear.  As far as I can tell, _dumping_ the clutch
>between gears just stresses stuff and unsettles the car.  Anyhow, that's
>what I do, what I want to do, etc - Sport clutches seem pricey for these
>cars unless your car is making a LOT of power.  The 16v had 138 stock(136,
>something like that), 2.0 that is, and I doubt my car is going to make
>more than that, ever - I've also met people with hotrodded 2.0s who still
>use the 16v stock stuff without complaint.  IMHO, YMMV, etc, but unless
>your car is _really_ making 150+, I don't see the need for something super
>expensive, unstreetable, and which does not have the reputation the stock
>stuff has - our clutches last 150k easily, if driven right, and the 16v
>plate has enough grip for most cars out there.  Best of luck!
>
>
>I.Mannix(hate to spend money which I don't need to.....)
>

>--
>To subscribe or unsubscribe, send email to scirocco-L-request@privateI.com,
>with your request (subscribe, unsubscribe) in the BODY of the message.
> 
--
To subscribe or unsubscribe, send email to scirocco-L-request@privateI.com,
with your request (subscribe, unsubscribe) in the BODY of the message.