GolfGTIforum.co.uk

Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: rwleigh on 07 March 2023, 13:26

Title: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: rwleigh on 07 March 2023, 13:26
Anyone got any experience of these twin friction material RTS clutches?

Look good to me and making me consider stage 2.

https://rtsperformance.co.uk/product/clutch-kit-rts-6006/
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: Riv151288 on 07 March 2023, 18:27
I went for the organic clutch which RTS do and single fly wheel after i had issues with the standard clutch! Cannot fault the clutch kit if im honest but i know the twin friction kit will handle a bit more torque over the one i purchased
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: rowlers on 07 March 2023, 22:09
Interested, I'll be looking to upgrade sometime soon too.
I've read mixed reports of whether you need to replace the flywheel too, I never have in the past with older cars (mk2 16v).
The RTS website says it MUST be fitted with the sachs DM flywheel?

Thoughts?
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: Mott19 on 08 March 2023, 12:51
Anyone got any experience of these twin friction material RTS clutches?

Look good to me and making me consider stage 2.

https://rtsperformance.co.uk/product/clutch-kit-rts-6006/

I'm 3,000ish miles in to having mine fitted and have been running stage 2 software for the last 1,000. I've had no issues with this clutch so far.

I replaced my flywheel with a Sachs one, as per their recommendation. When you're shopping about for this you'll see that you can have a Golf R or GTI (is38 or is20) flywheel. Dimension wise they're identical and the "Golf R" one is £50-100 cheaper depending on where you shop.

I don't think you can get away with not replacing it unless your current flywheel has little to no heat spotting. You'll also want to replace the release bearing whilst you're getting all this done, it's £50odd quid in parts and the stock one has to come out anyway. I also know that if you have issues with this clutch RTS have a history of blaming it on the flywheel. So it's best to replace it anyway to cover yourself on that front.

This clutch also has a really extensive breaking-in period, being 1,000 miles. Alternatives like the RTS paddle clutch are only around 400 and some Sachs ones are as low as 250. So keep this in mind whilst you're shopping.
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: Riv151288 on 08 March 2023, 13:42
The RTS kit i brought came with a single mass flywheel as its the dual mass flywheels that gives up first on the manual golfs

Also replaced the plastic slave cylinder with a metal

But all is well and ive been running it for about 7000 miles
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: rwleigh on 09 March 2023, 10:26
Thank you for all your replies, I'm now wondering if i might not be better going for the SMF option with a paddle clutch.

Any down sides to daily driving a SMF or a paddle clutch?

(https://rtsperformance.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/RTS-6PC6006SMF.jpg)
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: clubsport on 09 March 2023, 11:00
Not a Golf, but I have experience of an SMF & paddle clutch on another car, great for trackdays, but I wouldn't consider it on a daily driver.
There is much more gearbox noise & "chuntering" with the SMF and the paddle clutch I have used had heavy duty springs, so the pedal was harder with a more on/off clutch operation.

Just to add the dual mass flywheel, normally has a gel like substance between the two plates, this reduces vibration and noise from the transmission, obviously an SMF doesn't have this. The main advantage being lighter weight so the engine can spin up quicker and obviously more reliability from degradation that can happen tom a DMF

If that is what you are looking for then fine, it's not ideal if you ever encounter a slow M25.
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: Mott19 on 09 March 2023, 12:43
I agree with Clubsport on this. I've been in 2 MQB cars with SMF fitted and they both had really noticeable chatter. I think if you had a very loud exhaust it would drown it out - but it would send me up the wall.

Paddle clutches are great once you get use to them - but like they have said, it takes a lot of effort compared to a normal clutch. Perhaps not suitable if you sit in traffic.
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: rwleigh on 09 March 2023, 19:33
So i might be better off going for the Sachs option then?

https://www.sachsperformance.com/en/clutch-kit/performance-clutch-sachs/performance-clutch-kit-vw-golf-7-gti-002352-999502e

With their DMF.

https://www.sachsperformance.com/en/clutch-kit/zf-sachs/flywheel-vw-golf-7-gti

Any other manual MK7 owners out there gone stage 2 or 3 care to chip in?
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: Mott19 on 10 March 2023, 12:48
https://www.lsgperformance.co.uk/collections/vw-golf-gti/products/rts-clutch-twin-friction-clutch-kit-mk7-golf-r-gti-and-clubsport?variant=31469316046948 Is the kit I got, if you decide on the twin-friction

If you're looking to buy the flywheel separate, then Custom VAG Parts is looking like the cheapest from what I can see (and a small business to): https://www.customvagparts.com/product-page/ea888-3-2-0-tsi-sachs-dmf

Not sure on the Sachs ones personally. I know a few people running some variant but otherwise I'm useless for that. Hope someone else can fill you in on them.
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: rwleigh on 11 March 2023, 10:00
https://www.lsgperformance.co.uk/collections/vw-golf-gti/products/rts-clutch-twin-friction-clutch-kit-mk7-golf-r-gti-and-clubsport?variant=31469316046948 Is the kit I got, if you decide on the twin-friction

If you're looking to buy the flywheel separate, then Custom VAG Parts is looking like the cheapest from what I can see (and a small business to): https://www.customvagparts.com/product-page/ea888-3-2-0-tsi-sachs-dmf

Not sure on the Sachs ones personally. I know a few people running some variant but otherwise I'm useless for that. Hope someone else can fill you in on them.

Thanks for the info, do you agree with their claim of OE pedal effort?

"RTS – RTSTF-6006 (Twin friction) has been designed and manufactured to significantly exceed the original clutch system whilst also maintaining OE pedal effort, thus delivering a torque capacity of 440 lbs/ft of torque."

Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: bogwoppit on 11 March 2023, 10:30
The OE pedal effort thing can make a difference between a pleasure to drive or a chore.

Several years back I needed a new clutch on a Golf PD150 and replaced it with an uprated Sachs one so it could handle more power. Due to the increased clutch pedal weight, it soon became a pain.

If you can test drive a car with the uprated clutch you are looking at first, it could save you from the same pain.
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: Mott19 on 12 March 2023, 06:22
https://www.lsgperformance.co.uk/collections/vw-golf-gti/products/rts-clutch-twin-friction-clutch-kit-mk7-golf-r-gti-and-clubsport?variant=31469316046948 Is the kit I got, if you decide on the twin-friction

If you're looking to buy the flywheel separate, then Custom VAG Parts is looking like the cheapest from what I can see (and a small business to): https://www.customvagparts.com/product-page/ea888-3-2-0-tsi-sachs-dmf

Not sure on the Sachs ones personally. I know a few people running some variant but otherwise I'm useless for that. Hope someone else can fill you in on them.

Thanks for the info, do you agree with their claim of OE pedal effort?

"RTS – RTSTF-6006 (Twin friction) has been designed and manufactured to significantly exceed the original clutch system whilst also maintaining OE pedal effort, thus delivering a torque capacity of 440 lbs/ft of torque."

I bought my GTI with a very knackered clutch so it's a bit hard to say as I've always thought of the OEM clutch pedal to feel uncomfortably light.

Compared to the aftermarket clutch in my friends Cupra 290, the pedal effort in my car is much lighter - if you had to guess which one was OEM it would be the car fitted with the RTS clutch. I don't think that it's like-for-like with the OEM clutch but it's not a million miles away.
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: rwleigh on 12 March 2023, 08:16
I bought my GTI with a very knackered clutch so it's a bit hard to say as I've always thought of the OEM clutch pedal to feel uncomfortably light.

Compared to the aftermarket clutch in my friends Cupra 290, the pedal effort in my car is much lighter - if you had to guess which one was OEM it would be the car fitted with the RTS clutch. I don't think that it's like-for-like with the OEM clutch but it's not a million miles away.

Interesting, I'm now thinking the RTS kit is the way to go. Don't suppose you live anyway near Grimsby? Bit optimistic I know but i would love to compare my stock pedal with one already fitted with the RTS kit...
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: Mott19 on 13 March 2023, 11:22
I bought my GTI with a very knackered clutch so it's a bit hard to say as I've always thought of the OEM clutch pedal to feel uncomfortably light.

Compared to the aftermarket clutch in my friends Cupra 290, the pedal effort in my car is much lighter - if you had to guess which one was OEM it would be the car fitted with the RTS clutch. I don't think that it's like-for-like with the OEM clutch but it's not a million miles away.

Interesting, I'm now thinking the RTS kit is the way to go. Don't suppose you live anyway near Grimsby? Bit optimistic I know but i would love to compare my stock pedal with one already fitted with the RTS kit...

Ah it's a shame, I'm from Liverpool. A bit far out!
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: rwleigh on 13 March 2023, 18:58
Ah it's a shame, I'm from Liverpool. A bit far out!

That is a bit of a trip, never mind.

So you'd say you're perfectly happy with the RTS twin friction clutch and would recommend it?

Also is there anyone else on here with one fitted?
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: Mott19 on 13 March 2023, 22:27
Ah it's a shame, I'm from Liverpool. A bit far out!

That is a bit of a trip, never mind.

So you'd say you're perfectly happy with the RTS twin friction clutch and would recommend it?

Also is there anyone else on here with one fitted?

Completely mate, for me the only downside was the 1,000 mile running in of it- I was able to achieve consistent 40+MPG though! It's seamless in day-to-day use now. So far, it's held up to the power thrown at it. The car is going stage 3 this week so I'll edit if anything changes.
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: rwleigh on 13 March 2023, 23:35
Completely mate, for me the only downside was the 1,000 mile running in of it- I was able to achieve consistent 40+MPG though! It's seamless in day-to-day use now. So far, it's held up to the power thrown at it. The car is going stage 3 this week so I'll edit if anything changes.

Thank you very much, i look forward to your updates on how stage 3 goes for you... :)
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: Paul70 on 01 April 2023, 08:17
Did you buy a clutch Richard? Awesome GTI have 15% off RTS clutches at the moment - Easter sale!
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: rwleigh on 04 April 2023, 11:12
Did you buy a clutch Richard? Awesome GTI have 15% off RTS clutches at the moment - Easter sale!

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the tip, I was just in my local Indy this morning getting new rear discs and pads fitted and discussing clutch options.
(https://i.postimg.cc/q7qsX1cv/rear-discs-pads.jpg)

The guys in there were saying the RTS kits are good for everyday driving so I've just ordered one at the sale price.

New release bearing and dual mass as well of course.

Cheers,

Richard.
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: Paul70 on 25 May 2023, 11:59
Hi Richard
Have you upgraded your clutch? Which one did you go for and what are your impressions?

Cheers

Paul
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: rwleigh on 25 May 2023, 12:31
Hi Richard
Have you upgraded your clutch? Which one did you go for and what are your impressions?

Cheers

Paul

Hi Paul,

I've bought the RTS twin friction and I'm booked in to have it fitted.

I'll let you know how i get on with it...

Cheers,

Richard.
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: rwleigh on 09 July 2023, 18:16
Just to update this thread, my car goes in tomorrow morning to have its new clutch fitted.

I'll let you know my thoughts as I bed it in for the recommended 750-1000 Miles.
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: rwleigh on 10 July 2023, 19:37
Fitting in progress today...

(https://i.postimg.cc/4x1sbmRY/clutch-fit.jpg)
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: Paul70 on 13 July 2023, 21:50
How did the install go Richard?

What are your initial bedding in impressions?
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: rwleigh on 14 July 2023, 10:55
How did the install go Richard?

What are your initial bedding in impressions?

Hi Paul,

Fitting went smoothly, took them about 5 hours with an oil n filter change as well.

First impressions bearing in mind I've only done about 100 miles in it so far are pretty good. The clutch weight is virtually the same as stock, biting point the same and very easy to live with.

I think if someone else drove it they wouldn't think there was a stage 2 clutch in it. I'll keep you posted as I do more miles.

Cheers,

Richard.
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: Paul70 on 14 July 2023, 19:08
Thanks for the update Richard. What are your plans for the car once it’s bedded in. Are you going stage 2?
Title: Re: Stage 2 clutch.
Post by: rwleigh on 15 July 2023, 19:15
Thanks for the update Richard. What are your plans for the car once it’s bedded in. Are you going stage 2?

Be rude not to with a stage 2 capable clutch in there...  :smiley: