Clutch failed

[plenty 39]

I can’t tell any difference at all.

Edited May 21, 2019 by plenty

[Brendonian 152]

21 minutes ago, plenty said:

I can’t tell any difference at all.

So, well worth the extra cost! 😂

[agentdr8 150]

1 hour ago, Brendonian said:

So, well worth the extra cost! 😂

The 4xx parts should be cheaper. I just did a quick comparison of S1 S parts vs 4xx parts (clutch disc, cover, and flywheel) and the prior came out to 1104.10 vs 526.77. These were based on prices from DeRoure. 

Edited May 21, 2019 by agentdr8

[Brendonian 152]

6 hours ago, agentdr8 said:

The 4xx parts should be cheaper. I just did a quick comparison of S1 S parts vs 4xx parts (clutch disc, cover, and flywheel) and the prior came out to 1104.10 vs 526.77. These were based on prices from DeRoure. 

Wow! That’s interesting. Thanks 👍🏻

[LotusLeftLotusRight 1,327]

I think you'll find the NA parts are much cheaper on DeRoure, if you can get them. It's the S flywheel that makes the above total seem so high. You presumably wouldn't need a new flywheel for your NA. Nevertheless, the 4XX parts are probably the best value option, especially if they are available now.

[Brendonian 152]

Just realised, the 400 flywheel probably isn’t significantly lighter than the already lightened S flywheel. Probably a noticeable difference for an N/A

[Bravo73 1,350]

FYI, the S never actually got the lightened flywheel in the end (regardless of what some publications/manuals might state). The 400 flywheel is the lightened flywheel, originally intended for the S. 

[Brendonian 152]

5 minutes ago, Bravo73 said:

FYI, the S never actually got the lightened flywheel in the end (regardless of what some publications/manuals might state). The 400 flywheel is the lightened flywheel, originally intended for the S. 

That's interesting, thanks. I notice DeRoure list a different part no. for the S. I wonder what the difference is if not weight.

[122 9]

How do people find the feeling of the clutch bite point? Sharp/vague?

[Brendonian 152]

On 22/05/2019 at 22:36, 122 said:

How do people find the feeling of the clutch bite point? Sharp/vague?

Sorry, didn't see your message until now. I'd say the bit point has always felt fairly normal, not too sharp, or too vague. It's very subjective, and depends a lot on what you're used to.

[Brendonian 152]

Well, I have an 'interesting' update on my clutch situation...

Lotus Silverstone have confirmed again that I should expect a long wait for a genuine Lotus replacement clutch. They also informed me that Lotus advised against fitting an S/400 clutch as the flywheel weight can cause 'calibration issues'. Not sure what that means, but I'd guess that means the engine is more likely to stall as the ECU has been calibrated to match the expected hardware.

Silverstone have however found an alternative clutch option from a company called Oztilia Xtreme. These claim to have tested their clutch on the Evora, but I can't find any reports on actual customers out there on the internet.

I'm not sure what to do: waiting it out seems to be the sensible/safe option. I've heard a number of reports here that the S/400 clutch is fine, but it would be just my luck to be the first person to run into problems. And it seems to be that the Australian clutch is every bit as much of a risk as a 400 clutch given that it's unlikely to have had a great deal of testing over an extended period.

All advice/thoughts welcome!

[au-yt 490]

Interesting that they claim the lightened flywheel will cause vibration, Unless the 4XX series has balanced engine, which I very much dought. remember the V6 Exige has been around for a while have a snoop on there forum and ask, lots of there cars have been tweeked.

This is the link to the Australian listed clutch. and I would not be surprised if the guys at Simply Sports cars don't use them and they know a thing or two about competition build, not that is what you want but there experience should be of help.

https://www.xtremeclutch.com.au/en/catalogue/xtreme-clutch

 

Edited May 28, 2019 by au-yt

[Brendonian 152]

12 minutes ago, au-yt said:

Interesting that they claim the lightened flywheel will cause vibration, Unless the 4XX series has balanced engine, which I very much dought. remember the V6 Exige has been around for a while have a snoop on there forum and ask, lots of there cars have been tweeked.

This is the link to the Australian listed clutch. and I would not be surprised if the guys at Simply Sports cars don't use them and they know a thing or two about competition build, not that is what you want but there experience should be of help.

https://www.xtremeclutch.com.au/en/catalogue/xtreme-clutch

 

They didn’t say anything about vibration. The issue is ECU calibration. Presumably the ECU is tuned to let the revs drop to a certain point before trying to control the idle. The lightened flywheel will change the rate of rpm drop, and likely catch the ECU napping, so the engine is more prone to stalling. 

Im not looking for an uprated competition clutch, I just want something robust enough to deal with spirited road driving for many miles, and years. 

[C8RKH 6,445]

Reading his post I don't think @au-yt was suggesting it is a competition clutch. Just merely pointing out that SSC has extensive experience in performance clutches, including the rigorous demands of competition, so a potential good source of information and insights re that particular clutch.

[Brendonian 152]

2 hours ago, C8RKH said:

Reading his post I don't think @au-yt was suggesting it is a competition clutch. Just merely pointing out that SSC has extensive experience in performance clutches, including the rigorous demands of competition, so a potential good source of information and insights re that particular clutch.

In no way did I mean to imply that @au-ytwas calling it a competition clutch. I appreciate his input. Sorry if I came across badly, I was tired, and a little drunk!

In fact it’s all the other information I have about that clutch that suggests it’s designed for more extreme use. Apparently, it’s rated to 400 lb ft. 

[C8RKH 6,445]

2 hours ago, Brendonian said:

In no way did I mean to imply that @au-ytwas calling it a competition clutch. I appreciate his input. Sorry if I came across badly, I was tired, and a little drunk!

In fact it’s all the other information I have about that clutch that suggests it’s designed for more extreme use. Apparently, it’s rated to 400 lb ft. 

Ha - I was tired and a little drunk in my hotel room too!  Must be a Tuesday night thing... Probably accounts for why I was winding up my 'Murican cousins on another thread too.  

[edp 8]

I've been in touch with Lotus and wait time for the friction plate is 22 weeks. 😂

[andydclements 790]

If it's normal clutch material, then I think I'd be looking at a local specialist to have the existing one re-lined. Slightly different if it was end of Autumn, but you don't want to miss the few decent months  of good driving weather.

[Brendonian 152]

2 minutes ago, andydclements said:

If it's normal clutch material, then I think I'd be looking at a local specialist to have the existing one re-lined. Slightly different if it was end of Autumn, but you don't want to miss the few decent months  of good driving weather.

At 22 hours labour, I don’t want to take any chances that it might need to be done again any time soon. I’ll go OEM, thanks 👍🏻

[andydclements 790]

22 hours??????? 

I can just imagine a conversation.

Cust: how long is the job?

Dealer: Just under a full day.

Several days later

Cust: Why are you billing me over 20 hours?

Dealer: because we got it done a little quicker than expected.

Cust: But you said less than 8 hours.

Dealer: No sir, I said a little less than a day, there are 24 hours in a day.

 

[edp 8]

No way I’m waiting that long.

So I’ve decided to order a couple from the states. Let me know if you would like to go halfers. Cheers Ed

[Brendonian 152]

4 hours ago, edp said:

No way I’m waiting that long.

So I’ve decided to order a couple from the states. Let me know if you would like to go halfers. Cheers Ed

Is there some stock in the US? That would be good to know if mine doesn’t show up. 

[edp 8]

Yeah I bought the last two from monkey wrench racing. Should be here early next week. 

[Brendonian 152]

1 hour ago, edp said:

Yeah I bought the last two from monkey wrench racing. Should be here early next week. 

Smart move! I’ll be in touch if my source lets me down 👍🏻

[au-yt 490]

222 weeks that's madness,  If I can make another suggestion, there are companies that rebuild clutch plates for all sorts of cars,  and sorry to mention the competition again but there the people to look for and spec a road clutch.

Its probably an upgraded Toyota RAV 4 Diesel unit as that's what the gearbox is from.

Edited June 11, 2019 by au-yt