Morning all.

As some if not all of you know I'm Mr Standard in regards to my LE.

However its going to be coming up for a clutch change soon and I have been keeping an eye on the Helix group buy. I have developed a few questions

I am thinking of replacing my standard clutch with one of these Helix ones, good idea or bad idea on a standard car? I would like the knowledge that the clutch in there is more than up to the job, allowing me, if I choose to pull some standing starts and put it under pressure without being concerned.

Second will this alter the cars feel? Is it going to be noticeably different to drive?

Any other thoughts or suggestions appreciated


Thanks

Nick

The organic is very close to the OE clutch and there is only a very slight judder in reverse. Personally, if i was in the same position as you, i'd change it, as you'd have plenty of scope for modding (if you so choose) as the clutch can take a fair beating.

Ross

I very much doubt Mr Sedici will ever mod so IMHO it is a bit of a waste. Standard clutch is good for 60k miles on an un-modded car. The organic is double the price, it will do double the distance at least but will the release bearing hold out that long?.

Ross,

Thanks, definately not modding this one,if I decided to mod will get another Coupe to tinker with, so its not a consideration

Otherwise you would say the Helix fits nicely compared to the OE?

When you say judder in reverse how do you mean?

i would go for a standard clutch

Its just a slight judder, and it only done it when i first got it. I dont think it does it anymore.

Ross

Ah okay thanks

Well my thinking is, how strong is the oe clutch how much abuse can it take?

I'm thinking I want to do this once now and not again for a while which is why I was going along the line of overspeccing is that a bad idea or are you guys coming from the financial perspective?

Try and meet up with someone who has an organic clutch and give it a go. IMO they don't feel as comfortable as a std clutch. Personally if I was buying a standard LE I would want a standard clutch in it.

If you want to keep it standard then I think the clutch falls into this!

It's like saying my turbo has broke, so I will upgrade it for a better one, IMO!

Except the clutch doesnt improve performance..

Ross

I think the Helix feels just as good as a standard clutch, just a *little* heavier.

In my experience the standard clutch is not suitable for a modded car.

ok bad example, my shocks have gone, so I'll get coilovers?

See this is what I was wrestling with, does upgrading the clutch count as modding the car?

Same applies to the turbo is buying a better turbo modding it if they have the same characteristics?

Thats what I was thinking of doing but the only person I know with one is Nigel and well you see the issue with that experiment

I know what ya mean dude

But i doubt anything but the clutch would have as little an effect. Coilovers, exhausts, turbos and the like all have a noticeably different feel to the car and can increase performance etc..

I think if i was a purist, i wouldnt change it, but technically over-engineering the clutch makes sense.

Ross

Agreed

The std. clutch is over-engineered as is (i.e. can take a good bit more than 228 lb/ft), waste of money going for the (albeit excellent) Helix if you're sure you're not going to mod IMHO.

I see,

Okay thanks guys I will battle it out in my head over whether this is modding or not.

I'll let you know how I get on

No reason not to put in except price and concern over not original

and it is heavier, not as smooth and you will need to inform you insurance company.

You cannot be serious?

It is a mod so therefore you "should" tell your insurance company. Chances are if you tell them at renewal it wont cost any extra.

as if the Insurance company are gonna split the box & inspect your clutch !!!

You're absolutely right but if you ran someone down and you're seen to be driving like a bellend then someone might want to take the cars to pieces to find something that shouldn't have been fitted to the car!!!

I think someone mentioned that it looks near identical to the Valeo, so he could scribble out the "Helix Motorsport" before he fitted it ... of course they could always send the clutch material down to their CSI lab to discover its true composition!

If the guy wants suggestions and opinion based on fact and experience I will post. The facts are that it does cost more than a standard clutch, it is harder to push down the clutch pedal, reverse does judder and you SHOULD inform your insurance company. All good reasons why IMO an organic clutch shouldn't be fitted to a standard coupé.

Edit
However if he wants sarcasms he should talk to you Davidub.

Agree with (nearly) all of the above

If I want a good laugh at lunch I should read your posts

Okay point taken that it may fracture the insurance slightly ...

I seriously doubt that you need to tell the insurance... does that mean if i fit a non valeo clutch to my coupe i need to tell them? What about fitting different tyres? Or using different oil or bulbs in my headlights?

Ross

Hmm I would of thought it would just go under its a part which is not performance or value increasing?

If you don't think it's relevant then there’s no harm in telling your insurance company. Mine is listed as a mod on my policy and many on-line company’s have a tick box if you have an up rated clutch.