I have a 2004 C4S and it looks like it is time for a new clutch (65,000 miles). I see that the Porsche Clutch kit is about double the cost of the aftermarket ones, what are the pro and cons?

Also, my engine is completely dry, should I have the IMS/RMS done.

All recommendations are welcome.

Thanks, Mark

 

Pros:

The Prosche clutch kit is basically the same components currently in your car - that means built (or selected) based on Porsches exacting standards and quality control.

You *know* exactly what your getting and how it will behave in your car.


Cons:

You may not *like* the way the current clutch behaves in your car (wearing out aside).

You may have changed, or be planning to change, other parameters (think performance mods) that will call into question the capacity of the original clutch to fulfill its function.

As you've already noted Porsche original parts are expensive.

As fo the RMS/IMS I personally would absolutely change both while you've got the transmission out of the car. The parts are relatively inexpensive and the labor is minimal (with the tranny out) and the peice of mind is invaluable.

The clutch will be my winter project and I am planning to go with aftermarket clutch and flywheel as well as do the RMS/IMS while in there.

 

I am currently assembling parts, tools and doing research for exactly the same thing. I'm going with a sachs clutch kit, possibly an Aasco light weight flywheel, the newer RMS seal and LN Eng. IMS bearing. I have 70K mi + on my 99 and plan to just replace most stuff I need too while I'm there plus stuff like AOS, chain tensioner, case bolts etc.

For a few hundered bucks in parts it makes sense to me to just do it while I'm there vs. the possibility have having to take it all apart again to replace something down the road. From what I've read nothing seems real difficult, a few special tools maybe and lots of steps but not hard. and once it's done it's done and I can budget for the next set of mods without any surprises.

At this point my car is a keeper, maybe some day a track car, but I may as well do it right if it's going to be sitting in my garage either way...

 

Or worse in the case of the IMS.

 

Clutch kit is $500 from Suncoast.

 

A lot of times you can find clutch kits that are from the OEM manufacturer that just don't have the Porsche label.

 

How would I know which is OEM and which isn't?

 

Pelican parts identifies OEM suppliers on their online catalogue.

 

I just recently went through this process with my 99 C2. I found that the higher performance aftermarket parts were similar in price to OEM so I opted for the upgrade. I installed an AASCO lightweight flywheel which is about half the weight of the OEM flywheel. I also opted for a SPEC Stage 2 clutch. I am very happy with both. The throttle response is much better with the flywheel and the clutch has a lot more bite. It does require a 500 mile break in period before hard acceleration and quick shifts. I also had the RMS replaced which was easy to do since they had the transmission removed and it only added about $50 to the cost. The only con I've found is that there is some "chatter" noise from the flywheel at idle but it really isn't a big deal.

 

^did you consider doing the IMS bearing replacement at the same time?

 

I didn't know if it as an issue and my mechanic is generally very thorough. He's a Porsche owner and has been working on them for 25 years so, I only hope he checked it out! My RMS didn't actually need replacing since it wasn't leaking and was still in pretty good shape, but since it is so cheap to replace while you have the transmission out, I decided to do it anyway.