Message Removed

 

Depending on your driving style you should be OK, at least for a while. It sounds like bigger power is an eventuality for you so changing your clutch will also be in the cards at some point too. I would wait until there's a problem or you upgrade further. Your wife sounds like a smart lady.

 

Start planning the clutch now if you ask me. Stage II.5 or whatever they call it, noticed no difference in pedal feel. Dont do the flash unless you already have an exhaust.

 

My advice is to start with an exhaust, then the clutch, then the tune. Doing tune first is *** up tit and will only jeopardise your flywheel plus you won't get the best out of the tune anyway. I have a Proto tune and it began slipping the clutch pretty well straight away at wot and my car was sub 8k kms. I flashed back to stock shortly after. I know there are others that will say different but i honestly think it comes down to just how intuitive you are to whats really going on in your car. I found even with the stock tune and a decent exhaust the new 764 sachs clutch makes the car drive infinitely better. Add a system like an EP and you'll even wonder whether a tune is necessary. The stock clutch is operating virtually on the limmit in SC at wot, so add a tune and it'll be a complete goner in no time.....and probably along with your flywheel if you're not careful. On the tune i'd go with Todd K but he's often not easy to get hold of either i've found.

 

I didn't have any clutch slipping with AWE Gen2 exhaust and Proto tune. Maybe I'm not as lead-footed as speed21! But I agree that the Stage II.5 clutch setup feels very close to stock, and if anything it's actually a bit better feeling. No drawback to it other than the $$$. If you do the clutch do the spark plugs at the same time to save $.
Todd at Proto has gotten harder to get a hold of in the past year but that's because he's gotten much busier. I guess it's better that he's too busy and stays in business than the other way...

 

1) lol Boggy! But the truth be known i'm very sensible with the throttle and exercise finesse at all times. However when i do get up it i certainly know when all the power is being held and when it isn't. Let me just politely say some have a better feel for things than others . Needless to say the evidence on my stock clutch in my cupboard is there to tell the story and whilst it presents as being "new" in the wear dept blind freddy can see she's been a slippin and it only took me week to decide its not doing anything any good with the tune in. Anyways...
2) I wouldnt bother with the plugs at this stage unless he has to remove I/C's to change out the exhaust. With an EP you get all the tools so you can do the job without removing anything.
3) Whilst i have a very high regard for Todd his service has become questionable at times. I guess being in the service industry myself i am critical as i'm sure others will also be at one point, yourself included.

 

I'm not sure what you're politely saying but my clutch was holding fine.

Todd probably needs a "front man" now that he's really busy but I must say I like talking to the main man whenever possible. He always gets back to me if it's something important, it just takes a few days sometimes whereas it used to be less than a day.

I didn't pay any additional labour cost to change the plugs when they changed the clutch so it was a no-brainer.

 

1) To stave off arguing the toss with my friend i'll just draw ones attention to the evidence on my "as new" stock clutch assy and let that speak for itself . I could ask at what point did you identify your clutch required changing but the fact it had to be changed is sufficient. In summary, replacing the clutch is inevitable so why wait or do what should be done first last and take risks destroying the flywheel along with tolerating a deteriorating performance. It's going to cost at one point so best deal with the costs in correct sequence rather than tolerate or put up with deficiencies. In hindsight thats what i should have done....no question.
2) As i said I'd use Todd K for the tune (still). Whilst buying the tune is an efficient and easy enough process service evidently becomes an issue after the event...as you have also found. Gotta call it the way it is.
3) Makes sense but that may not necessarily be the case for every WS. I recall you saying your WS dropped the engine to change the clutch? And not every WS will drop an engine to change a clutch out .

 

I had my exhaust installed first, Proto tune second. I think its a must to have the exhaust in place followed by the tune. As far as the clutch goes, it will eventually slip, its just that some last longer than others. I only have about 1k
miles with the tune on the sock clutch, no problems here yet (fingers crossed!!)

There are examples of stock clutches holding for longer periods on modified cars.
The best example I can think of is E55AMG (Chris) I believe he has 40K miles on a modded turbo with stock clutch. Maybe he can chime in?

 

What are your current engine mods?

 

Also do you have a reliable installer in your area? The flash is easy and can be done with out removing your ECU but clutch, exhaust etc. should be done by an experienced shop. If you don't have one let us know we can send our private trailer and do the install here if need be. Best of luck

 

I would suggest doing software exhaust and clutch at the same time or software and exhaust and wait till you get your last dollars worth of the factory clutch. How many miles are on the car?

 

Hey Valentino, hope all is well. 51,000 miles on the car now but maybe 10,000 were "tuned". The stock clutch did hold up for a while but I think that's mostly due to the fact that 6th gear is usually the problem - i'm not in 6th gear that often - especially when nailing it

I agree with you about the exhaust - it should be done first or with the tune.

What I would personally recommend before any power upgrade is the suspension. this car really needs a lot of help suspension wise. I think that mod will be much more enjoyable than pwer. the only way to truly appreciate the power upgrade can land you in jail LOL. suspension, on the other hand can be enjoyed at almost any speed. just one man's opinion.

 

I changed the clutch b/c I bought it at a decent discount and it was just sitting there. Plus, I knew I'd eventually get the vtg upgrade (which came sooner than expected). You r correct that not every shop will drop the engine to change the clutch but if they do then it's sensible to change the plugs at the same time.

The "service" may not be like it used to be but I have to assume if I had a real problem I'd get the necessary attention. Just b/c someone doesn't reply to all the questions as quickly as before doesn't make it bad service, imho.

 

I had the Fvd 550 tune with exhaust and the stock clutch for 70000 miles, the tune was on the car since 20k miles, My clutch never slipped,