Date:         Tue, 26 Apr 2011 06:47:21 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Longer Lasting Clutch?
In-Reply-To:  <B8175952-12D5-46F6-A905-6C376849CD85@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

On Tue, Apr 26, 2011 at 6:08 AM, Chris S <szpejankowski@gmail.com> wrote:

> LUK clutch has a different, more powerful pressure plate. The engagement
> feels different from Sachs as well.
>
> As for thicker clutch material, I am not sure how much extra you can
> engineer into the confines of the design.
>
> Chris.
>
> Dnia Apr 25, 2011 o godz. 21:21 neil n <musomuso@gmail.com> napisał(a):
>
> > As I mentioned, there are "factors". Along the lines of what you suggest,
> an exuberant left, and right foot may be part of that.
> >
> > This wear happened on a new clutch..... after the engine swap so.......
>  ;)
> >
> > And I get off the beaten path sometimes going after dirt "roads" I
> shouldn't. This doesn't help matters either I guess. Plus a recent engine
> bogging from a stop didn't help. No doubt I could be easier on my clutch.
> Still, I really should sit down with my faded notes and 3 speedometers to
> figure out what the actual mileage is since new clutch install.
> >
> > Part of my curiosity was whether or not there was a "stock" clutch that
> had a thicker lining on the disc (is that possible?)
> >
> > Neil.
> >
> > On Mon, Apr 25, 2011 at 5:24 PM, Chris S <szpejankowski@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >
> > Might want to upgrade your left foot?  ;-). With the very low first gear
> you should barely slip the clutch to get going. Concentrate on clutch-gas
> coordination during shifts to minimize slippage and match rpm on down
> shifts.
> >
> > I switched to LUK clutch, but not because I wore out the original, but
> because the pilot bearing failed.
> >
> > Chris.
> >
>

   If you need a stronger clutch,  you might try Clutchmasters...'google'

They can do stronger clutch systems for just about any vehicle and they are
not exceedingly expensive.  They made the clutches for my racer, with 560
ft/lbs of torque and 2600# of vehicle weight, a pretty obscure vehicle.  I
simply called them, they said they had the specs on hand, and they sent me a
"custom" disc and pressure plate within a week.

  Another suggestion is to check all the VW tuner sites, check on VW Vortex
or try Techtonics Tuning in Oregon.
  You may also have an issue with the output shaft length, maybe?  Perhaps
yours is still a little long and doesn't let the clutch get a strong
grip...though with your Jetta motor you are asking more of the clutch than a
stock motor would require..

  Don Hanson