So i installed my brand new south bend stage 4 extreeme clutch like this one.
Southbend Stage 4 EXTREEM Clutch & Flywheel Kit, Audi A4 1.8T Quattro. 525+ TQ Capacity


Ive never broken in a clutch before but when i let the clutch out in first gear to start from a dead stop it really bucks me, and almost feels like its slipping but shifts fine in all the other gears.
Or i think i've heard it referred to as chatter.
Ive driven it for about 40 miles, and probably done about 20 starts from a dead stop.

Does it just need to be broken in more?
I've heard up to like 1000 miles, so it may be a little premature to be worried.
But its pretty difficult to drive in 1st.

 

You've still got a ways to go. Its also going to take you a while to get used to the way the new clutch feels as opposed to your old one. Don't get to crazy with it before its broken in or you're liable to weld it together.

Just out of curiosity, why did you go stage 4? That seems like a pretty heavy duty set up...

 

That kit has a very stiff pressure plate which engages very quickly, so it will take a good amount of time to get used to it and about 500-1000 miles to fully break it in.

 

First few starts I killed it. You got to figure out release point. If it shifts fine otherwise your clutch is ok. As mike said 500 min. Then have fun


Chris I think he's bigger turbo

 

Alright thanks guys.
I'm running a big turbo setup, and my previous stage 3 setup was toasted
and would slip quite a bit.
plus i'll be hoping to making at least 400tq with my new setup so i would rather be safe than sorry.
I might have been able to get away with the endurance.
But i got this kit for 700$ brand new with a aluminum flywheel.

Yeah i killed it a few times.
Yeah it shifts all the other gears very smoothly.
Just first gear is a pain.

But thanks for the input guys , ill just hang in there.

 

All I've got is an s4 clutch and I killed it a few times. Takes a while to get used to. It will be rough for a while but just take it easy. Resist the urge to dump it. If you have nothing better to do just drive around a bunch over a weekend.

 

Do you guys recommend letting it out with a little extra throttle to make it smooth?
Or just bare the beating its putting on myself and my car.

 

There is/was time I let it out w/ a little extra throttle. Just don't slip it

 

I read on the interwebz that repeated 7K RPM launches on dry pavement will help

 

^lol harsh. I actually read that doing 40-60 or 50-70 runs on the highway while leaving it in 5th gear is a good way to break in kevlar clutches. Mike, Jeff, thoughts?