Skippy1

Just wondering how many of you guys run a paddle clutch. Was after some feed back on what youve experienced with launching at hi revs and clutches for track use..
Im new by the way.....HI guys

APIDavid

iTrader: (4)

Skippy,

Most paddle clutches [ ceramic material ] operate like on / off switches in my experience. However, they are probably essential if you intend to beat the death out of it on the track and strip.

It will depend upon track time / versus road time. If you travel a lot in the car then the paddle will **** you off quite quickly.

Another factor is the power that you have. l'd suggest that a decent competition organic clutch, AP or Exedy, will take quite an amount of abuse and be useable on both road and track until you get into the higher horsepower / torque ranges. Say; 380 hp / 360lb ft as the changeover point.

If you go ceramic then you'll need a steel billet flywheel, Cast ones rip to shreds and judder when ceramics are asked to do their stuff.

That help??

Good luck David APl Engines / APi Impreza

David_Wallis

I have a paddle clutch. No probs with it yet.

Depends on torque / power as to what to go for..

David

tweenierob

I have the same clutch as Wallis, no probs with judder... not on and off switch but handles 500hp and torque on my car and i expect more on wallis car.

Not a great deal of difference drive wise over an organic, so much so that my best mates 320hp car is being fitted with one so that he can use it at santa pod without worrying but still drive it as normal day to day..

Rob

p.s. clutch is LateralPerformance paddle

Tone Loc

iTrader: (1)

What about wear rates (Rob/David)... generally a paddle will wear quicker on the road, how are you finding it (bit difficult to tell without taking the gearbox off tho )? Been considering the lateral paddle due to its good road manners.... is it an exedy unit?

Tony.

P20SPD

iTrader: (1)

Mine (Same as rob and david) lasted 8000 miles, predominantly road use, including holding the car on the clutch, which is not good for paddle clutches.

The car got driven VERY hard on road and off, including several 7500rpm launches.

Tone Loc

iTrader: (1)

Bloody hell.... 8000 miles . I have heard you do drive it a *little* bit hard tho . But even so. With my mileage that would last about 9 months..... including most days stuck on the M60.

Maybe stick to organic then.... either LP, AP.

Bugger.

Tony.

David_Wallis

Depends.. holding at biting point is not something id suggest with a paddle clutch.

David

P20SPD

iTrader: (1)

Tony, that was about 4 months driving!

It had been a while since i last had a paddle clutch, 1998 in fact, and forgot that they dont like being held at the biting point, ie slipping the clutch. Being a lazy bugger in town, i dont use the hand brake. Thats what killed it.

There was no judder or any signs of a problem, until about 2 weeks before i took the engine out. Removing the engine showed the clutch was worn to the rivets and had gauged the flywheel.

Going with an OSG twin plate now, although the thought of paying 1200+ for a clutch and flywheel hurts!

R19KET

Steven,

You're just a yob

IIRC, last time I spoke to Stan (Smith) he'd done over 20,000miles on one of my paddle clutches, but I don't know what he ended up getting from it.

Mark.

P20SPD

iTrader: (1)

Seems that way Mark

Adam M

same here.

500lbft and no problems on an LP paddle clutch.

Some find it a little tough to use (eg. rob likes to stall it) but I have no idea why. On a smooth flywheel I can barely tell it apart from a normal clutch, yet it handles big torque without a problem.

911

Ran a sprung centre paddle in my hill climb 911.
Two years/6000 miles and it was dead.
Welded itself to the flywheel once after a VERY hard tyre warming pre start (Ex drag racer here...)..stock clutch much better and lasted longer.

The secret is a sprung centre. The 911 is a cable clutch too.

911.

R19KET

911,

I agree, certainly if you want the gearbox to stand some chance of surviving.

If the plate welds it self to the flywheel, it's because it's being slipped too much. The plate gets so hot, that the metalic particals melt, and when it finally stops slipping, it welds it self to the flywheel as it cools.

Mark.

Tone Loc

iTrader: (1)

20,000 miles sounds a bit better. I can be lazy in town too and have the clutch on the biting point... guess i'd have to change my habits. I do like the thoughts of the LP paddle, sounds just the ticket if i can make it last 20,000 miles then i'd have no problems.

Mark... how much are you letting these go at? They're not in scoobyshop anymore iirc. Will go nicely with one of your flywheels which is sat in the garage .

Tony.

P.S Steven, the OSG clutch/flywheel that my friend runs in his track Gti-R is a work of art. So smooth in operation and handles the torque beautifully. Sounds a lot of money but i don't think you'd be disappointed.

P20SPD

iTrader: (1)

Tony, i know what your saying about the OSG, its just i think its the final straw in the subaru modding area, once thats bought, thats it, no more!!

Tone Loc

iTrader: (1)

There's always more . Do you have lexus lights yet, a shark fin aerial or angel eye headlights. Just look in 'Members Gallery' for inspiration .

Tony.

P20SPD

iTrader: (1)

**** off!!

Now then, sure i had to look in the garage for something tonight, cant remember what now, oh well

dowser

Interesting comment from David re. the stock cast flywheel and paddle clutches - I've run one for the last 30k kms with no problems on stock (lightened) flywheel, except it being a complete b*stard to drive in stop/start traffic. It judders *very* badly (unless launched in anger, of course)!

I always assumed this was due to me using a pressure cover from a different manufacturer (correct one was balanced along with rest of rotating assembly on ej25 build. I've just received a new clutch disk ready to go in when I fit the new motor. This will also be with an LP flywheel, so hopefully problem will go away (clutch itself has a sprung centre).

Richard

Tone Loc

iTrader: (1)

LOL... you know i'm only joking Steven. Yours has to be one of the best turn out cars i've seen. All done in best possible taste....

Not sure if that was enough **** licking... just let me know if you need more

Tony.

P20SPD

iTrader: (1)

PMSL, last year it looked like a bag o sh1te, only way it could look worse would have been to rear end it into a bus or add lexus lights. (the latter being the worse)

R19KET

Tony,

I'm sure you appreciate that it's impossible to guarantee someone will get a minimum of XXX miles out of a clutch, particularly knowing how some of you lot drive

YHM (shortly).

Mark.

Tone Loc

iTrader: (1)

Mark... i wouldn't dream of a clutch being guarantee for a particular milage. If you did offer it i'd call you stupid . I'll have to adjust my granny style clutch control to suit !!

Tony.

Skippy1

Thanks for the feed back guys,,,Ive decided on the ALCON paddle clutch and Alcon flywheel.Really well priced as well ,and have had god feed back.Getting mine from EARS motorsport.

Mark A

iTrader: (1)

No price on the EARS website for a Subaru paddle clutch & flywheel, Ball figure?

Mark A

Tone Loc

iTrader: (1)

I spoke to EARS about the Alcon, they were a bit sketchy about it's torque rating and i didn't get if it was a 6 paddle/5 paddle etc or if it was a sprung centre.

Cost was "230mm kit £379.25 plus VAT" NOT including the release bearing.

Be interested if anybody had more info... but think i'll go the lateral route. many more people running these.

Tony.

P.S Never heard of the Alcon flywheel tho.

Tone Loc

iTrader: (1)

PPS. if the price i gave above is what EARS have given you and you think it's a good price, by the time you have release bearing and delivery and vat the Lateral clutch is cheaper!!!!! Speak to Mark.

Tony.

Skippy1

The clutch is a five paddle .First motorsport in europe use them with great results.They are very popular with evo drivers.

911

Check them all out at the Autosports show this weekend.
911

David_Wallis

steven.. could make it worse by fitting my bumper and your gold wheels