Valeo HD single mass flywheel kit impressions

[old guy]

A few weeks ago I replaced my SB OFE-SS clutch/dual mass flywheel set up with a Valeo single mass flywheel kit. Now that it's broken in (~1,000 miles) I thought I would give my impressions of the kit.

• Engagement point is slightly above mid travel on the pedal.
  
  
• Pedal pressure is very light. Pretty much the same as the OEM clutch.
  
  
• Shifting is noticeably easier, especially between 1st and 2nd. I suspect my SB was dragging more than I realized.
  
  
• The single mass flywheel is harsher on engagement than the OEM dual mass. It definitely takes a little more effort to have a perfectly smooth engagement. The dual mass absorbed some of the drive-line shock and allowed for a sloppier clutch engagement. Perfectly smooth shifts are still possible but you just have to pay a little more attention. It is getting easier as my muscle memory adjusts to the single mass.

I always had to deal with a bit of clutch shudder with the Sachs SS pressure plate. The Valeo is butter smooth. Overall I am extremely pleased with this set up. It made the car fun to drive again. The SS pressure plate was just a bit too much for a daily driver and made shifting a chore rather than a rewarding experience. Now it feels like the clutch/short shifter/snub mount are all operating in harmony. Since this is the 4th clutch I have had in the car I hope it lasts a while!

[FulhamFTW]

Awesome review, I couldn't agree more. I have the same set up and love it. Very stock like feel. And for the money, it's been a great replacement. I don't plan on going above a 1+ tune, so I'm hoping it lasts me a while.

[texasboy21]

This clutch is looking better and better. Can you describe the driving differences between the single mass flywheel and the dual mass?

[old guy]

This clutch is looking better and better. Can you describe the driving differences between the single mass flywheel and the dual mass?

I played around with on/off throttle with the clutch fully engaged to see if the dual mass springs made a difference in harshness and honestly I couldn't feel any difference. Other than a slight cushioning of the engagement from the dual mass springs It feels pretty much the same. The dual mass allows for a little more 'sloppiness" when you let out the clutch. Without the dual mass springs you feel a little more shock as you get the input shaft (motor speed) and output shaft (road speed) matched up.

[victimdumper]

im also curious about this at some point in the future. my first and previous car was a b5 so im pretty sure i've only ever driven dual mass flywheels.
wonder if id like the single mass more or less than the dual.

[old guy]

im also curious about this at some point in the future. my first and previous car was a b5 so im pretty sure i've only ever driven dual mass flywheels.
wonder if id like the single mass more or less than the dual.

I assume you posted this while I was answering Tex. The advantage of a dual mass is a bit more smoothness: Clicky click. As I stated above I could notice the difference in the engagement but I really don't notice any difference on the road. The disadvantage of a dual mass is the increase in cost plus there are additional moving parts to wear out. The dual mass is supposed to make shifting easier but in my case, coming from a defective clutch set up the single mass is way better than what i was dealing with so maybe I'm not the best judge of the difference from an OEM set up and a single mass set up.

[victimdumper]

I assume you posted this while I was answering Tex.

that and a combination of me just not paying full attention
if my clutch ever goes i will probably try the single mass valeo just for the benefit of the cheaper flywheel cost, and i have yet to hear anything bad about them yet.
when you mention that the dual mass as additional moving parts to wear, does that mean a single mass may be more durable in the long run? or is the difference negligible?

[Deebo16]

Thanks for this. I just ordered mine today.


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[BASARAB]

I had this clutch before my b6 got totaled. The thing I did not like about it, is if you try launch the car, it starts smelling like shit right away, you cant even hold it for 5 seconds and the clutch pedal is very light compare to stock. Other than that no complains and it was fine with apr 1+

[AudiA4_20T]

SMFW is kind of annoying. Same feeling when switching from 1.8T trans to 2.8. Only thing that sucks is that the DMFW can't shift at high gears

[old guy]

if my clutch ever goes i will probably try the single mass valeo just for the benefit of the cheaper flywheel cost, and i have yet to hear anything bad about them yet.
when you mention that the dual mass as additional moving parts to wear, does that mean a single mass may be more durable in the long run? or is the difference negligible?

I really haven't hear many complaints of dual mass failures but obviously the potential is there since there are several moving parts instead of a solid mass. I'll put it this way: If I had a choice for the kit with or without a dual mass flywheel for the same price I would go with a dual mass. The difference is subtle but it is a difference. for what I paid for the kit I am totally happy with what I have.

[BASARAB]

^^ exactly, I paid for mine $200 or $300 from EBAY when I got it

[FulhamFTW]

^^ exactly, I paid for mine $200 or $300 from EBAY when I got it

Did that include shipping. I paid $395 shipped for mine, plus $700 for an independent shop to install. Not bad considering the dealer wanted $1200 just for labor.

[iamshayan]

also love my vaelo smfw and clutch kit. good review

Sent from my SGH-I727R using Tapatalk 2

[texasboy21]

Does the engine rev and and down noticeably quicker with the single mass flywheel?

[old guy]

Does the engine rev and and down noticeably quicker with the single mass flywheel?

I haven't noticed any difference.

[texasboy21]

I haven't noticed any difference.

I am researching for a clutch upgrade, and was really looking to gain some quicker revs. I thought this was accomplished with a lighter SMFW setup.

[old guy]

I am researching for a clutch upgrade, and was really looking to gain some quicker revs. I thought this was accomplished with a lighter SMFW setup.

Yes a lighter weight flywheel will allow for quicker revs. It will also add a lot of unwanted gear chatter. The Valeo kit doesn't have a lightweight flywheel. The Valeo kit weighs approximately 37 lbs. My OFE-SS with a dual mass flywheel weighed 37.5 lbs.

[texasboy21]

You the man

[diagnosticator]

The acceleration rate is only effected by the rotating mass moment of inertia. It would be the same for equal masses for both SMFW and DMFW. The dual mass flywheel absorbs crankshaft torsional vibrations before they can get to the transmission input shaft and is functionally active all of the time the clutch is enganged, not just during clutch take-up begins transmitting torque from the flywheel to the transmission input shaft. The absorbed crankshaft torsional vibrations don't pass through to the transmission, so the trans is quieter, and has less wear on the synchronizersand gear pairs due to the lower instantaneous gear tooth loading. DMFW use a undamped clutch disk. SMFW use a spring damped clutch disk. An undamped clutch disk used with a SMFW, would be very difficult to engage smoothly and would be noisy also.

[rs4rep]

I have had this kit on my car for almost 4 yrs now and it has been great. Now I am having some slipping issues. I am in a perdiciment right now. Do I just fork out the money and get a whole new clutch kit with another light weight flywheel, or find a stronger clutch to go along with this flywheel. I am also having a hard time finding a clutch that will work with this flywheel. Does anybody have any suggestions on which clutch I should go with or just get a whole new kit.

[old guy]

I have had this kit on my car for almost 4 yrs now and it has been great. Now I am having some slipping issues. I am in a perdiciment right now. Do I just fork out the money and get a whole new clutch kit with another light weight flywheel, or find a stronger clutch to go along with this flywheel. I am also having a hard time finding a clutch that will work with this flywheel. Does anybody have any suggestions on which clutch I should go with or just get a whole new kit.

For starters the Valeo kit is a single mass flywheel but not a lightweight flywheel. I think your only option for a disc replacement is to go directly to Valeo or a Valeo distributor. I believe you can find the info on the Valeo website: Clicky click

[rs4rep]

For starters the Valeo kit is a single mass flywheel but not a lightweight flywheel. I think your only option for a disc replacement is to go directly to Valeo or a Valeo distributor. I believe you can find the info on the Valeo website: Clicky click

Thanks, but i know it is just a solid flywheel not a light weight. My question was are there any other clutch kits out there that are compatible with this flywheel. Or should I purchase a whole new kit that comes with a new flywheel, lightweight flywheel. Never said that the Valeo was a light weight flywheel. I have been looking at the Southbend Clutch kit that upon ordering it you have the option of solid of dual mass flywheel. Do you know if this Southbend clutch will work with the Valeo Solid Flywheel.

[old guy]

Sorry for the misunderstanding. When you stated "and get a whole new clutch kit with another light weight flywheel" I assumed you meant your current kit had a lightweight flywheel. You can check with Mike at Ringer Racing to see if he has anything that works with the Valeo flywheel but to the best of my knowledge your only options are Valeo replacement components.

[foley803]

I've started slipping in 1st and 2nd if I really get on it, do you think this will stand up to my K04 setup?

I don't know if my OEM clutch is slipping because I'm overloading it or if it's just tired. I want to weigh my options so I'm ready when she bites the dust.

[boy412]

Or should I purchase a whole new kit that comes with a new flywheel, lightweight flywheel.

Given that a clutch job is $$$ I would suggest replacing everything. If it comes as an assembled, balanced "kit" so much the better! I am also on clutch #4 and so far am liking this configuration.

[old guy]

I've started slipping in 1st and 2nd if I really get on it, do you think this will stand up to my K04 setup?

I don't know if my OEM clutch is slipping because I'm overloading it or if it's just tired. I want to weigh my options so I'm ready when she bites the dust.

I think it would be adequate for a K04 as long as you don't abuse it. If you plan on hard launches and track days I would suggest going with something with a little more holding power.

[knight007]

I too had several clutches and flywheels. First I started with a stock DMFW with a Southbend clutch (cant remember exactlly which one) and my DMFW took a dump with a GT28rs. Then I switched to an aluminum SMFW lightened and a SB OFE clutch with my current setup and it has been solid for about 4yrs or so and only last year it went out. Then again I never really got on it as hard. Just did alot of freeway runs and launched maybe a dozen of times at most. Now looking to get s different setup but steel SMFW would be better.

[gottaBdope]

Alright. I know I'm digging up an old thread, but this seemed most applicable to my situation.

Just got to San Diego and received my car from Hawaii. The people portering my car for the shipping company were apparently the last straw for my stock clutch. I'm only at 60,000mi, but I just started slipping in higher gears. I know I have more life in the clutch, but my girlfriend, dog, luggage, and I will be driving to LA, Fremont, Vegas, and end point Boulder, so I really need to fix the clutch now. I don't have the facility to do the swap on my own like I would have in HI, so I asked the San Diego people for help.

A shop near LA answered my plea with a 228mm valeo smfw & clutch replacement for $1600 out the door. This is a picture of the invoice.



Am I missing something here? $950 for what sounds like being the same kit as what you guys paid ~$500 for?! This shop only uses valeo/luk replacements. They said if I wanted the 240mm fw it's another $250. They also said that I could upgrade the clutch disc later down the road, but that doesn't sound like it could be the case either.

Lemme know what you think. I'm in sandog area if anyone has better suggestions. I'm gonna talk to the shop tomorrow to figure out what the deal is...

[Charles.waite]

A shop local to me quoted me $1200 installed for this clutch. Parts were $600, labor was $600. If I bought the clutch elsewhere, labor was $800 and no warranty on the labor.

Didn't sound like a great deal to me either way as the cost to me was essentially the same regardless of the route I took.

Since I'm not in a time crunch, I'll probably be doing the install myself this summer sometime. I would call around a few more euro places. He'll even some non-euros with good reputations. Installing the clutch isn't rocket science. You just need to pay attention, torque the bolts properly and in the right order and not break things.

[evo_ski]

not break things.

Well that sounds boring as all hell.

[coowhip]

I bought my kit from MJM for $385 and installed for $640 out the door. I went to a transmission shop local in Columbus after I called around for quotes. Most were around the $800 range.

Clutch impressions, man this thing was really touchy for me initially. Guess it shows how bad my last clutch was. I get some low end high torque angle growl from a low 2nd or third gear pull at low rpm. To be expected I believe so no major issues. Otherwise it's pretty smooth, fairly low engagement point, and the shop was surprised at how easy it was to push in the clutch. They said they have never had one move that easy. So all is well! I only ever plan to go to stage 1+ with supporting mods so this will be great.

[drjonez]

Just another data point- I have 15k on my valeo clutch. 10k of 15 PSI on the K03, 5k of APR Stage III+ at 15 PSI. No issues yet.....hasn't slipped once. Then again, I've never launched it hard.

[foley803]

Too bad this kit is $500 at MJM now...

[drjonez]

With some patience you can find it for <$400 easily.

[dougyfresh]

I have this kit on my B5 APR stg1 1.8T Avant.

When I installed it I was not pleased with the clutch stack-height. When the pedal is fully engaged you can hear something rubbing on the rotating assembly. I did some google searching and found it is very common with this clutch. Rather than fight to warranty it I just kept it. To remedy the noise I added a block to the clutch pedal so I can't push the clutch pedal in to the point where you hear rubbing. The block was sized such that I can still engage the clutch pedal switch for starting the car.

Have about 15,000 miles on it. It it effortless to drive in daily traffic. I am quite pleased with the performance. Amazing how different it is to my SB OFESS in my B6.

[Charles.waite]

Too bad this kit is $500 at MJM now...

I know!!!! I was going to call and confirm if the $385 was no longer the deal as its still listed in their thread. Bummer if its been jacked up to $500... But I've seen it on amazon for sale in the $425 range so not a huge loss. Eats into the money I was setting aside for all the other crap I have to d to my car. The list keeps growing...

I wish they made this kit for the b7 as I think my dual mass is on its way out and the clutch is iffy. Only 59k too....

[kwimberly]

I ordered mine from FCP Euro during their Cyberweek sale last year. Still haven't had it installed, but I have a quote for $600 from a local Euro shop.

06B105117 Audi VW Clutch Kit (A4 A4 Quattro Passat) - Valeo 06B105117 (1) @ $433.99 = $433.99
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Order Total: $390.59

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

We have the Valeo Single Mass Clutch Kit available below!

Click HERE to order or for more information


Jason

[foley803]

But for another $100 why not go RA4 and have the option to upgrade the disk and pressure plate in the future? I think that's what I'll do.