South Bend Clutch & Flywheel Kit for MK8 GTI/R

Each South Bend Clutch is offered in either a Daily, Endurance or Drag configuration to accomplish the power handling you need. The Classes Daily The Daily configuration is focused around an OEM pedal feel and initial engagement characteristics. This is the clutch that won”t give you a significantly stronger left leg but will provide many thousands of miles of ease of use and operation with the ability to transfer different Stages of engine performance to the tires. The quick engagement of most aftermarket clutches or the “grab is greatly reduced and in most cases completely eliminated to allow for smooth clutch release and easy initial acceleration. Endurance The Endurance configuration focuses on reduced transmission wear and perfect transitions from gear to gear. Kevlar and other more exotic materials are used to hold the power for many hours of abuse and torsion springs are used to damper between the engine and gearbox. Pedal feel is typically only slightly more rigid and initial engagement is certainly manageable resulting in a driveline component that quite handily eliminates any concerns from the Drivers and Crew Chief. Drag In no other form of racing are tenths and hundredths of a second more important nor is a vehicles driveline more abused in such a short period of time. It is with this understanding that South Bend has developed a line of clutches specific to the needs of this ever demanding sport. Pedal travel is reduced allowing for quicker launches off the tree and initial engagement is as rapid as possible getting all of the power to the ground instantaneously. Use of puck style discs and SFI approved Race Covers provide plenty of power handling capability and aids in the perfect pass everytime. “Drag” clutches are puck style discs, picture below. The Stages Stage II The South Bend Stage 2 Clutch Upgrade is perfect for those who modified their engines to Unitronic Stage 2 and Stage 2 power levels. Offered in specific configurations of Daily, Endurance or Drag, the South Bend Stage 2 is perfectly matched to your driving style and your specific use. Each Stage 2 Clutch is engineered to specifically support engine modification with increased clamp load and different material choices across the individual Stage 2 configurations. Each configuration includes all of the benefits of a South Bend Stage 1 Clutch Upgrade but also includes additional benefits specific to each. Stage II Daily This Heavy Duty Pressure Plate has an increased clamp load with little or no increase in pedal pressure. The Organic disc material has a high metal content that increases the co-efficient of friction by two times over a stock lining and increases rotational strength up to a 12,000 RPM burst point. This clutch system maintains a stock feel while offering strength and durability. Recommended usage is daily, street and moderate race. Stage II Endurance This clutch system is designed for the racing climate. The pressure plate is precision balanced for vibration free operation at high RPM. The pressure plate fulcrum is altered for a positive disengagement and a quick shift. The disc is engineered with a Dual Damped design to provide accurate control when accelerating through corners. The friction material is a hybrid using a full face Feramic (Sintered Iron) lining on the flywheel side and a high metal content Organic lining on the pressure plate side. Engagement is positive yet buffered due to the high graphite content unique to Feramic facings. Recommended uses are daily and street with an emphasis on Rally and Endurance racing. Race Engineered Pressure Plates (SS) used in Stage III and IV clutch kits These performance clutches deliver more transmittable torque and stability, longer life and superior thermal resistance. They also deliver noticeably better dynamics through higher clamp load when driving the vehicle to its limits. Stage III Daily This clutch package is designed for high HP vehicles desiring a start performance similar to O.E. The pressure plate is Race Engineered (SS) and SFI approved with significant load increase over stage 1 or 2 pressure plates ( 600-800 lbs.). Expect a pedal effort increase of 20%-25%. Discs are assembled with heat-treated wear resistant hubs; drive plates and springs for high load transfer and dependable operation. The sprung centers on the disc, in conjunction with the marcel fin between the linings, create a dual dampening effect that simulates O.E. start performance. A Performance Organic friction material with a high metal content increases torque and RPM capability and maintains low operating temperatures reducing wear and glazing. Recommended usages are daily, spirited street and occasional track. Stage III Endurance This kit uses the same Race Engineered SFI approved pressure plate as the Stage 3 Daily upgrade. The disc is designed for the special needs of a vehicle with circuit racing in mind. Kevlar friction material is used for its unique static to dynamic ratios of friction co-efficients at high energy levels. This translates to a perfect transition from one gear to the next. Discs are assembled with only performance components and equipped with torsion springs functioning as a damper between engine and gearbox. Recommend usages are Rally, Endurance Race, Clubsport, Autocross, Street and Daily. Stage IV Extreme This is a “build to order” clutch kit intended for cars with HP modifications exceeding Stage 3 levels. The Race Engineered pressure plate is modified for maximum plate load. The discs are puck design with sprung and un-sprung options. Friction material options include Sintered Iron and Graphite Impregnated Ceramic. Engagement characteristics can be abrupt. Hydraulic systems may need enhancing for proper clutch separation. Torque ratings are calculated at time of ordering. Flywheel Features Flywheels manufactured by South Bend are made from low carbon, hot rolled steel that is highly resistant to warping and perfectly suited for the friction materials mated to them. Single mount CNC machining guarantees precise tolerances and perfect balance exceeding O.E. specifications. Extensive field-testing has been done to determine the proper weight for each specific vehicle and to ensure smooth operation, safety and durability under extreme operating conditions. The steel flywheel with this kit weights 19 lbs. All South Bend Clutches for the 2.0 TSI include crank bolts and are SFI Approved.