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Fri Aug 27, 2004 4:26 pm

Installing new fly wheel and clutch for a 1600sp which is to be a daily driver (during nice weather), no racing or stuff like that. What are the pros/cons of sprung vs solid clutch? Thanks.

Fri Aug 27, 2004 4:38 pm

A spring loaded disc will be easier on the flywheel.

Don't get a solid disc unless you plan on doing some sort of racing.

Fri Aug 27, 2004 5:09 pm

Thanks as always...

Sun Jul 20, 2014 4:48 am

How big an engine can you push the "sprung" clutch disk when it comes to motors? Looking into disk now for a 2 liter plus size motor for a daily driver is why I ask. Or is there a nice "sprung" clutch disk for big motors? Just do not want to be "shocking" the trans when there is no need... RB

Sun Jul 20, 2014 1:52 pm

RB, just use a solid center disc with an organic material rather than a metallic, it will slip enough on engagement to be smooth on the trans but in a rail should hold the extra torque. Are you using an uprated pressure plate?

Sun Jul 20, 2014 6:32 pm

I put 50k miles on a Kennedy 1700 pound pressure plate and solid center Diaken disc. Couldn't tell any difference between it and the sprung center it replaced- very smooth engagement.

Sun Jul 20, 2014 6:40 pm

theastronaut wrote: I put 50k miles on a Kennedy 1700 pound pressure plate and solid center Diaken disc. Couldn't tell any difference between it and the sprung center it replaced- very smooth engagement. DITTO!! I couldent tell any diff either.

Sun Jul 20, 2014 9:06 pm

mark tucker wrote: DITTO!! I couldent tell any diff either.

But could your diff tell any diff?

Sun Jul 20, 2014 9:55 pm

Get a sprung disc whenever you can. Virtually every modern car has one for good reason......and most of those have well over 200hp....so it makes no difference.
But.....unsprung discs are all that have been available for the type 4 cars (411 and 412)....since about 1970.
Its not really all that hard on PP and flywheel but does create more chatter as it gets hot.....and can, be especially difficult on them with high diff gearing (411 and 412 four speeds have 3.79:1 or 3.90:1 final drive).....and most of all its hard on the splines of the hub and mainshaft.
You will feel no difference....but there is a difference in wear. Ray

Mon Jul 21, 2014 2:22 pm

If you are good at driving a manual transaxle and can shift smoothly then get a solid disc. If you or others driving your car are not good at shifting then get a sprung disc.

Mon Jul 21, 2014 5:04 pm

vwracerdave wrote: If you are good at driving a manual transaxle and can shift smoothly then get a solid disc. If you or others driving your car are not good at shifting then get a sprung disc.

Well said Dave, My solid disc feels real smooth when I drive the car but my wife complains about how grabby it is.

Mon Jul 21, 2014 6:44 pm

theastronaut wrote: I put 50k miles on a Kennedy 1700 pound pressure plate and solid center Diaken disc. Couldn't tell any difference between it and the sprung center it replaced- very smooth engagement.

I'm with John.
I've got the same setup in a turbo car. It's lived through a fair share of 6,000 rpm clutch drops at the track but I can still drive it to work or the grocery store no problem. My girlfriend has no problem driving it either.

Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:15 pm

I had a 1200 with 83mm big bore cylinders and a header on it in my otherwise stock '63 ragtop. I ran a stock 180mm clutch with a solid center disc and never had a problem with it. 8)