Good, Better, Best clutch kits..

[B Dot]

I read some threads about southbend being over rated. Clutchmasters being middle of the road? I have an 04 1.8T awd USP and my clutch just took a shit. It was pretty weird because it wasn't slipping and last Sunday I was driving it spirited and I experienced the failure while driving up a mediocre hill. Pretty bad timing. So I'm in the market for a clutch kit, I'm stage 1 right now but want to go BT in the near future. Not really on a budget but want the most bang for the buck. Any recommendations? Thanks!

[gottaBdope]

I literally just posted this in the b5s4 section, lol.

I love it [jhm kit]. I've put on approximately 12k miles. When I shipped my car from Hawaii to Cali, the people driving my car some how finished off my clutch for me (didn't even know it was going). I had to get an emergency swap in Cali so we could drive to Colorado. The guys at AU Tuning in Huntington Beach, CA hooked me up. I think I walked out with $1100ish and they fit me in same day. They also have a stg3 (I'm pretty sure) b5s4 that runs the exact same setup. It's supposed to be good for ~450hp. As I said it's in my b6 1.8t, so max ~200awp (and that's probably stretching it). But I am running a peak 23psi on the k03 and the clutch hasn't had any issues with that :-D haha.

[MikTip]

I have gone thru 5 clutchs in my 2004 B6 A4 6-speed USP in its life, and to date the JHM B7 RS4 clutch I like the Best! Especially considering its basicly a "stock" Audi organic clutch disk, but from a B7 RS4, and a 9 pound flywheel! Yes, they offer it on stages, but they recommended the OE one for my mods.

Allot of people will chime in on clutchs, but not all run a 6 speed gearbox on a Quattro drive!

The 5-speed quattros seem to fair better for clutch longevity compaired to the 6-speeds...

Also front wheel drive Audi's ya never hear about clutch issues!

So ask for specific input, based on 6-speed quattro's!

Another thing to consider is the Audi B7 2.0 uses a 240mm clutch vise the B6's 228mm...so factory Audi seen a need for improvement as well!

As well as improvong the B7's brakes over the B6 too!

[oaybar007]

I was just researching this very topic. My stock clutch is finally on its way out at 127k (10 years) and have been looking for a good replacement too. I've heard a lot of great feedback on the affordability/drive ability of the Valeo Single Mass kit but that's probably a bit too conservative based on your long term plans of BT. I was thinking about going stage 1, maybe 1+ in the future, and I think for that purpose the Valeo kit is probably a good fit.

[johnwiz]

Been researching this as well.. when I picked up the car 18 months ago, I was told it needed a clutch.. it still isn't slipping.. but I figure it won't be long. so want something better than stock, but don't need something outrageous..

[B Dot]

Speaking of which I was looking at the "stage 2" RA4 clutch kit from ecs for 799$. They note it can handle ~375hp, which is most likely more than I would need. It sounds like a great choice, considering it will have a stock like feel. I do most city driving so I don't want to have a stiff clutch. I'll definitely give a review for future 1.8T 6spd guys. Now I just have to talk to my mechanic and see it's going to cost me for labor! Idk if I want to tackle this install just yet lol. Thanks for the input!

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Speaking of which I was looking at the "stage 2" RA4 clutch kit from ecs for 799$. They note it can handle ~375hp, which is most likely more than I would need. It sounds like a great choice, considering it will have a stock like feel. I do most city driving so I don't want to have a stiff clutch. I'll definitely give a review for future 1.8T 6spd guys. Now I just have to talk to my mechanic and see it's going to cost me for labor! Idk if I want to tackle this install just yet lol. Thanks for the input!

Thanks for the words! This is the clutch I plan on running as well. Probably going to go FrankenTurbo at some point this season so it should be more than enough to hold the power and have a long life!

Jason

[CyberPMG]

I've been super happy with the ECS Tuning RA4 Stage 2 kit. It uses a B5 RS4 OEM clutch and pressure plate along with a steel flywheel. Very smooth engagement and has no problem with my Eliminator turbo setup.

Mine is also a 6 speed USP.

I originally had the Beta version of the Stage 2 kit from ECS (it was test fitted to my car). That clutch lasted for over 150k miles. I don't drag race or do hard launches. I have done road course track driving and some spirited mountain driving with no issues with the clutch.... ever.

I've replaced it with another one when I had the engine replaced and the transmission rebuilt and improved. Moving from the original aluminum flywheel to the steel flywheel has helped to reduce chatter. I also added a Fluidampr pulley to the setup to restore more torque to the lower RPM range (originally had ECS's lightweight pulley). This is a great combo.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

I've been super happy with the ECS Tuning RA4 Stage 2 kit. It uses a B5 RS4 OEM clutch and pressure plate along with a steel flywheel. Very smooth engagement and has no problem with my Eliminator turbo setup.

Mine is also a 6 speed USP.

I originally had the Beta version of the Stage 2 kit from ECS (it was test fitted to my car). That clutch lasted for over 150k miles. I don't drag race or do hard launches. I have done road course track driving and some spirited mountain driving with no issues with the clutch.... ever.

I've replaced it with another one when I had the engine replaced and the transmission rebuilt and improved. Moving from the original aluminum flywheel to the steel flywheel has helped to reduce chatter. I also added a Fluidampr pulley to the setup to restore more torque to the lower RPM range (originally had ECS's lightweight pulley). This is a great combo.

150k miles on our RA4 is no joke! I think that speaks for it's self as far as reliability!

As always appreciate the feed back Paul!

Jason

[texasboy21]

I'm a 5speed guy, but I love my ECS RA4 stg1 kit. Pedal and clutch feel is close to stock (more grip than my OE with 100k) and the lightweight flywheel is much more peppy.

[lisek99]

ECS Tuning RA4 Stage 2 kit here as well and love it no complaints what so ever. I had clutchmasters before and it was terrible it only lasted me about 6 months (defective clutch) and they wouldn't cover it under warranty.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

I'm a 5speed guy, but I love my ECS RA4 stg1 kit. Pedal and clutch feel is close to stock (more grip than my OE with 100k) and the lightweight flywheel is much more peppy.

ECS Tuning RA4 Stage 2 kit here as well and love it no complaints what so ever. I had clutchmasters before and it was terrible it only lasted me about 6 months (defective clutch) and they wouldn't cover it under warranty.

Appreciate the feed back!

Jason

[coowhip]

I've been happy with my Valeo Single Mass flywheel OEM conversion kit. I'm stage 1+ may go to 2+ with supporting mods. I have no reservations of it holding that kind of power for a long time. I think a lot of people run this kit for people in a power setup like I will be.

[jubei4769]

Speaking of which I was looking at the "stage 2" RA4 clutch kit from ecs for 799$. They note it can handle ~375hp, which is most likely more than I would need. It sounds like a great choice, considering it will have a stock like feel. I do most city driving so I don't want to have a stiff clutch. I'll definitely give a review for future 1.8T 6spd guys. Now I just have to talk to my mechanic and see it's going to cost me for labor! Idk if I want to tackle this install just yet lol. Thanks for the input!

you should be more worried about what TQ the clutch can hold instead of HP honestly.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

The Single Mass kit is great for guys that don't want to make much more power over a Stage 1. So like chip, test pipe, exhaust. Any more than that you would probably pushing the limits of the clamping force.

Jason

[oaybar007]

Thanks for the info, Jason. The Valeo kit sounds like a good fit for me. I'll probably never go above what you mentioned.

[heywier427]

5 speeder, but ECS Stage 1 w/GTRS. aprox 75,xxx on stage 1+, and 10,xxx on gtrs. very happy with it, and the fact that if upgrading is needed, all I have to buy is the b5 rs4 disc.

[ShogunR32]

I really like my Spec Stage 3+. Handles the power I am making just fine so far.

[B Dot]

So today is d-day lol I'm going to order a clutch kit this afternoon. I'm on the fence about the RA4 stage 2 and the southbend stage 2 hd ofe. Anyone have some feedback?

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

There have been more than a few people who can vouch for our RA4 Stage 2. Even one customer that's put 150k miles on the unit. That right there speaks for the reliability.

Running the RA4 allows you to step up to a larger disc and pressure plate which improves power transfer as well as heat dissipation. The ECS RA4 lightweight flywheel weighs in at a trim 12 pounds, compared to the hefty 26 pound flywheel shipped from the factory. Now your engine won't have to waste power lugging all that mass up to speed. Off the line? That's like hauling 250 fewer pounds of vehicle weight.

You really can't go wrong if you go with our clutch.

Jason

[Log1c]

I'm trying to decide between the Valeo and the ECS Stage 1. I'm not likely to go past Stage 1+ if that. Thoughts?

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

I'm trying to decide between the Valeo and the ECS Stage 1. I'm not likely to go past Stage 1+ if that. Thoughts?

The biggest difference is the flywheel weight and pressure plate clamping force. Our RA4 Stage 1 is standard with a light weight flywheel which improves responsiveness, as well as the B5 S4 pressure plate and disc which holds the everyday 250hp/250lbs of torque the S4 makes.

The Valeo Single Mass will have no more holding capacity over OEM and you will see no performance gains.

Jason

[Waspjr]

Hey guys great thread here definately learned alot what would you guys recomend for my situation i have a custom tune at 20psi i am doing a 5speed swap into my cvt stage 2 ? Or a 228mm would this be benificial
Thx


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[DaSkorpion]

I went with the JHM B7 RS4 clutch kit and loving it. So far 4k miles on it and it's holding, the wifey loves to drive my 6speed stick now. Not sure why JHM does not advertise much for this solid kit.