Standard or Uprated Clutch in 1.6 GTE / GSi

[olidaviesuk]

Hi All,

Just a quick question regarding peoples experience with the standard clutch in the 1.6 GTE / GSi

Have any of you run much more than standard power through it and when does it start slipping? Im upgrading my track car and trying to save a bit of cash, obviously money no object id put in a AP Racing or Helix clutch, but wouldn't get much change from ?300... ive put down my thoughts any comments would be really appreciated..

I don't drive the car on the road so issues like ultra heavy clutch pedal and drivability won't be a problem..

Clutches that i've found....

1) AP Racing 4 Puck Paddle Clutch Kit - Bullet Proof but expensive
2) AP Racing Organic Kit - As above but takes slightly less torque, less on/off
3) Helix 4 Puck Paddle Clutch Kit - Bullet Proof but expensive
4) Helix Organic Kit - As above but takes slightly less torque also less on/off
5) Sachs Cerametallic Organic Kit - not much better than standard
6) Black Diamond Uprated - same clutch as the Sachs Kit?
7) EBC Uprated / Standard - from parts listed in the kit are both the same?

Is there anything I have missed? or am I going to just have to bite the bullet and pay the money out, obviously I don't want to be changing the clutch after every trackday...

[craig green]

Ive put 170bhp & almost 180lb/ft of torque through the std clutch (EBC replacement) with no issues from it or the gearbox. Im not a particular fan of EBC cluitches as it goes but the whole drivetrain, shafts & clutch etc will cope with more power easily.

If you are fitting carbs etc tbh there isnt much more strain, just more revs.

The weak link on the std car (assuming highish miles) will be the engine mounts.

[Dan]

personal preference here, i tried an 'uprated' clutch but i didnt get much joy from it tbh. possibly just a bad one but i went for a helix 4 paddle clutch after. Lighter than a standard one and its not on/off as most people expect. I mainly went for one as my car is used mostly on track now but its road manners are just as acceptable

[Stuart]

paddles are fine for daily driving :)

[olidaviesuk]

cool, thats two definate options for me then. As im trying to do this on more of a budget I may well try the EBC - were you using the EBC sports clutch or the 'standard' one as they list two?

Another option i've been looking at is using a OMP uprated 4'puck paddle centreplate with the standard pressure plate - not conviced about that option though as the pressure plate can only handle so much torque regardless what centreplate your using?

[Stuart]

ok, what are your plans for the engine? and what kind of use (drag racing, track, road etc) then work out the clutch from that

[olidaviesuk]

Right, the engine/car is for track use only and will be built to best race spec I can afford - hopefully looking for between 130 - 160 bhp

hence thinking that the ebc should be okay - but best bet paddle..

[craig green]

I'd say std fitment/replacement will be fine.

130-160bhp isnt loads of power tbh. & drag racing puts more stress on a clutch than track work.

[Stuart]

aye, trak use your keeping speed up rather than dumping all the power down in a few seconds..

an OMP padle friction plate with a std cover should do fine.

[olidaviesuk]

Cheers Guys, thats pretty much solved the problem,

Going to go for standard pressure plate, omp paddle centre (ceramic)