Performance Clutch Reviews

[P Arkus]

Currently for my V8 swap, I have a UUC LWFW and organic clutch on order from ECS tuning, but that transaction is rapidly going south and I feel I might be cancelling the order. If I do cancel the order, I will be going with a JB Racing LWFW and another performance clutch. The clutch needs to be a sprung hub, and currently my options seem to be SPEC, Clutchmasters, and Southbend.

I'm in need of some real life reviews and suggestions from people who have ran any of these performance clutches to see how they felt, how long they lasted, how they grabbed, basically anything that would be useful information. Also if you were to do it again, would you buy the same clutch or would you opt for something different.

I appreciate everyones input!

[Geobmx4life]

Re: Performance Clutch Reviews

I have a Spec stage 2 clutch in my TDI...its lighter on the pedal than stock, and is rated for 330 ft/lbs...extremely happy with it..I would do it again...however I would go with the lightened flywheel if I were to do it over. I've been using it for 20k kms.

[miketweedie]

Re: Performance Clutch Reviews

I have run both SPEC and Southbend. The SB unit was unreal as far as pedal feel, as it felt as easy to manage as stock. The durability, however, was a different story. I think it lasted 2 summers, max, with no track driving.
The SPEC products have been amazing. I ran one in both the 1.8t MK2 and the 16V turbo MK2 (I realize that you aren't building a MK2, but completely different motor/transmission combos provide a good cross-section). Both cars were sold years after install with absolutely no signs of clutch fade. The 16V was a Stage 2+, which replaced a blown up Bully unit. The 1.8T was a stage 3+ (it also had a stage 2+ first, but it couldn't hold at boost) and was arguably the best clutch I have ever owned. That car had well over 300WHP at full boost, and was essentially useless without a solid clutch.

hope that helps.

[JVD]

Re: Performance Clutch Reviews

What car? What motor?

Torque?

[P Arkus]

Re: Performance Clutch Reviews

Thanks for the replies so far guys! Everything helps!

Car will be E30 with an M60 (E34 540i V8) Motor running a 6 speed transmission from an E39 540i. Expected wheel torgue will be around the 250-270 range.

I understand all clutches will be different for different applications, however most products tend to do the same across the whole brand. So if 5 different people with 5 different cars all say Southbend clutches wear out very fast, I will assume that in my application it would do the same. For this reason, I appreciate all input for whatever car you may be running this on.

[P Arkus]

Re: Performance Clutch Reviews

Mike, how were the SPEC clutches for pedal feel and drivability? This part is also very important to me.

[miketweedie]

Re: Performance Clutch Reviews

Mike, how were the SPEC clutches for pedal feel and drivability? This part is also very important to me.

the stage 2+ was like stock, but it was running a G60 pressure plate so that likely helped. Felt like an out-of-the-box 16V car.

the stage 3+ was on a performance pressure plate, and while it made for a stiff pedal, I really liked it. The friction point was a lot more "obvious" (see: I stalled it twice the day I installed it) but it was extremely drivable. The biggest advantage I found with that clutch was that although it gripped like a mother-F, the sprung hub allowed you to still feather it a bit. Getting going off the line isn't where you will see this, but shifting gears during regular driving is like night and day. The one un-sprung clutch I tried (same car, but with the 2.0ABA-T motor) was like a light switch. This is of course only from my experience, but if your car is going to be a daily driver in any way, do not go solid hub!

message Cam_WMH on here about his clutch experience on his old R32-T. If I remember correctly he had a southbend (or 3) and he might be able to comment.

[P Arkus]

Re: Performance Clutch Reviews

Awesome review Mike. These are the kind of reviews i'm looking for. And yes this car will be a daily so I am sticking to sprung hub for sure. I'll shoot Cam a text and see what his experiences were.

[GingerBeef]

Re: Performance Clutch Reviews

My S4 has a JHM clutch. Compred to the oem S4s ive driven the clutch pedal feel seems to be a tad stiffer (which i like) but the biggest thing i noticed is theres much less "forgiveness", no bogging if youre about to stall, the clutch point is just kinda on and off. Only really a problem the first day driving your car though.

[JVD]

Re: Performance Clutch Reviews

With that kind of power you're prob fine just going with a full faced organic type disc.

Millions of options in that category.

Kevlar if you want it to last forever.

[cam_wmh]

Re: Performance Clutch Reviews

the stage 2+ was like stock, but it was running a G60 pressure plate so that likely helped. Felt like an out-of-the-box 16V car.

the stage 3+ was on a performance pressure plate, and while it made for a stiff pedal, I really liked it. The friction point was a lot more "obvious" (see: I stalled it twice the day I installed it) but it was extremely drivable. The biggest advantage I found with that clutch was that although it gripped like a mother-F, the sprung hub allowed you to still feather it a bit. Getting going off the line isn't where you will see this, but shifting gears during regular driving is like night and day. The one un-sprung clutch I tried (same car, but with the 2.0ABA-T motor) was like a light switch. This is of course only from my experience, but if your car is going to be a daily driver in any way, do not go solid hub!

message Cam_WMH on here about his clutch experience on his old R32-T. If I remember correctly he had a southbend (or 3) and he might be able to comment.

I have run both SPEC and Southbend. The SB unit was unreal as far as pedal feel, as it felt as easy to manage as stock. The durability, however, was a different story. I think it lasted 2 summers, max, with no track driving.
The SPEC products have been amazing. I ran one in both the 1.8t MK2 and the 16V turbo MK2 (I realize that you aren't building a MK2, but completely different motor/transmission combos provide a good cross-section). Both cars were sold years after install with absolutely no signs of clutch fade. The 16V was a Stage 2+, which replaced a blown up Bully unit. The 1.8T was a stage 3+ (it also had a stage 2+ first, but it couldn't hold at boost) and was arguably the best clutch I have ever owned. That car had well over 300WHP at full boost, and was essentially useless without a solid clutch.

hope that helps.

Pat, you knew my car. 3.2VR6 - 450hp - GT35rs

I echo Mikey. Southbend was the best feel, but my old R32T, chewed ate through it quick. SPEC was a stage 5?, and it waaaaas heavy. It held up though, and it was the clutch I did my first 1/4 mile runs with. I burnt through that one too, and bought a Clutchmasters FX400, but sold it before it was installed.

I can speak anecdotally about feel, but I think there are others much more wise in giving better mechanical insight, such as Pat/Colin/TJ etc;

$0.02

[gheron]

Re: Performance Clutch Reviews

I ran i Spec 3+ on my 605 s4, clutch felt great and held the power with ease, this includes multiple launches and a fair bit of hard driving, daily driven without a single issue. I would recommend spec to anyone looking for a new clutch without hesitation

[BolideVW]

Re: Performance Clutch Reviews

I had a Clutchmasters fx400 in the GLI. I did have some issues with it, but I think that may have been because I was one of the first few to order a ceramic 8 puck (most people get 4 or 6 puck). Drove nice and seemed to handle the power well. Pedal feel was comparible to stock, but the grab point was a bit more finicky.