Why choose a paddle clutch over organic? Benefits?

[TroubledSoul]

Hi all, just need some advice on this. It looks as though one of our cars, mainly for track use, could quite happily run either the Stage 3 organic or the Stage 4 6 puk paddle clutch from Competition Clutches for the power level we will be running at.

As a result, I am unsure about which to go with. I tried a friend's car with the Stage 4 and found it a little odd at first but certainly not really difficult to use, although it could become tiresome when queuing in traffic for shows etc.

So really I just want to figure out why one might use the paddle clutch over the organic if both can take the power safely? Is there any other benefit to it?

[227bhp]

The paddle type grips better so holds the power without slipping, they also don't fail if they've been slipped and overheated like organics can.

Paddle = track
Organic = road.

[TroubledSoul]

But surely if say you had 400bhp and the organic can take 500bhp, it isn't going to slip anyway?

[227bhp]

TroubledSoul said:

But surely if say you had 400bhp and the organic can take 500bhp, it isn't going to slip anyway?

Correct.

[TroubledSoul]

227bhp said:

Correct.

So if that's the case I would be just as well going with the stage 3 I guess? I was wondering if there was some other benefit like somehow making shifts quicker due to quicker engagement and release.

[Boosted LS1]

Organic for the road every time especially if you get stuck in bank holiday traffic that's stuck on a hill, the cars nudging forward be a few feet every now and again. Organics are also nice a progressive when they take up the bite.

[R8Steve]

I have one in my clio turbo, they are heavy, jerky and make a horrible noise.

If an organic can handle the power you have definitely get one of them.

[227bhp]

TroubledSoul said:

227bhp said:

Correct.

So if that's the case I would be just as well going with the stage 3 I guess? I was wondering if there was some other benefit like somehow making shifts quicker due to quicker engagement and release.

Yes I'd agree on the proviso it does what the vendor says it does, there is nothing to be gained.
The downsides are (apart from less driveability) that paddles also increase the wear on the FW and the clutch cover if slipped (like in a daily driver) as they are made from very aggressive materials.

[stevieturbo]

TroubledSoul said:

But surely if say you had 400bhp and the organic can take 500bhp, it isn't going to slip anyway?

Not as easy as that.

Also depends on usage, torque etc etc. Power isnt always a great rating for clutches.

If you're going to be launching on slicks etc...then I wouldnt expect a 500hp clutch to last very long in a 400hp car....and is that car 500kgs, or 2000kgs ?

Everything makes a difference

[TroubledSoul]

It's an Impreza STI so heavy and 4WD drivetrain. Semi slick tyres are the plan. Hoping to run it in hillclimbs initially in the road going production class.

At present it runs around 320bhp but I plan to increase this in the future.

[jontysafe]

I have this quandary in my Westfield Cosworth. Engine builder has recommended organic and I am leaning that way.
500bhp/450lbs/ft 615kgs on 888r for mostly road use.
I had a paddle in it before with a hydraulic conversion and to be honest it wasn't that bad. Stiff and a little on off but it's not as if it's doing a lot of mileage a year.

[stevieturbo]

TroubledSoul said:

It's an Impreza STI so heavy and 4WD drivetrain. Semi slick tyres are the plan. Hoping to run it in hillclimbs initially in the road going production class.

At present it runs around 320bhp but I plan to increase this in the future.

Classic Imprezas are not heavy, newer model cars are a bit heavier though.

Which gearbox ? If 5 speed....a weak clutch may well save the box lol.

ACT make a good range of paddle clutches that grip hard, although pedal effort can be quite heavy.

Depends on your budget really. Do you want the expense of a twin plate ? it would cover you for the future, but be more than you need now...although even the ACT singles will easily cope with a lot of power for the future too.

Helix offer a twin plate organic that should be a bit of middle ground, but still allow hard launches although havent heard of too many using it.

After that, the big name twins etc Exedy HKS, OS Giken. But probably overkill.

Xtreme Clutch Australia are another option with a wide range.

http://clarkmotorsport.co.uk/categories/Clutch

Any 5 speed clutch will work with both 5 and 6 speed boxes.

If you buy a 6 speed specific with the OEM flywheel, this will not fit inside a 5 speed box without a lot of grinding and a 6 speed starter motor.

[griffin dai]

Different car but I've gone for a custom 6 puck paddle clutch from CG Motorsport, they make either the 666 (organic) or 777 paddle kits with smf & heavy duty cover for £750 which can take a load of torque. Not a lot of choice availabe for mine when your around 500 ft/lbs so it was either this or mega bucks for the SPEC stage 4 & SPEC solid flywheel or silly money for Clutchmasters that was just overkill for me.....or just go for Sachs uprated again, detune and bring the torque right down to around 600nm to keep it happy

Heard some horror stories about spec clutches going wrong and poor aftersales service so really wasn't keen on shelling out that much then worrying everytime I floor it.

Can't say it's any different really to the standard clutch once your moving, pulling off is a bit more aggressive and has a slight judder (especially hill starts) also has some chatter at idle which put the sts up me thinking the engines about to pop until I figured out its the clutch!! It's a little heavier but got used to that after a few miles. Would 100% get another.

A few of the Saab lads have had a standard clutch relined for around £50 which seem to be coping well around 400 ft/lbs. I can get the info for these if you want?

[stevieturbo]

griffin dai said:

Different car but I've gone for a custom 6 puck paddle clutch from CG Motorsport, they make either the 666 (organic) or 777 paddle kits with smf & heavy duty cover for £750 which can take a load of torque. Not a lot of choice availabe for mine when your around 500 ft/lbs so it was either this or mega bucks for the SPEC stage 4 & SPEC solid flywheel or silly money for Clutchmasters that was just overkill for me.....or just go for Sachs uprated again, detune and bring the torque right down to around 600nm to keep it happy

Heard some horror stories about spec clutches going wrong and poor aftersales service so really wasn't keen on shelling out that much then worrying everytime I floor it.

Can't say it's any different really to the standard clutch once your moving, pulling off is a bit more aggressive and has a slight judder (especially hill starts) also has some chatter at idle which put the sts up me thinking the engines about to pop until I figured out its the clutch!! It's a little heavier but got used to that after a few miles. Would 100% get another.

A few of the Saab lads have had a standard clutch relined for around £50 which seem to be coping well around 400 ft/lbs. I can get the info for these if you want?

there are dozens of shelf options for a Subaru to handle the power he's talking about. And a clutch for a fwd car just wont get troubled the same as a 4wd car.