V10 clutch in V8 drivetrain

[the_buch]

Has anyone done this yet? Is it completely plug and play? How much more expensive are the bits? Is there any risk of this straining other components due to strength mismatch? Thanks,

[desperado]

Yes. Upgrading to the V10 clutch is a fairly common upgrade when adding forced induction to a V8. It is a drop-in installation.

I elected to have my Audi dealer upgrade the clutch on my V8 when they installed the STāSIS S/C at 20K miles. We replaced the flywheel ($1,076.25), the clutch pack [pressure plate and clutch discs] ($1,942.50), and the hydraulic actuator with throwout bearing ($1,044.75). Hardware and labor added another ~$1,000 (this included labor for splitting the trans from the engine and swapping the clutch, but not the labor for disassembly & reassembly of the rear end of the car since it was already being done as part of the STāSIS S/C & Exhaust installation). Sales tax was in addition to these costs.

In spite of the differing part numbers, the V10 clutch parts appeared visually identical to their V8 counterparts. Since the transmission and the differentials are the same between the models, it's hard to see how there would be a strength mismatch. I don't feel any difference in the pedal from the original clutch. All the V8 parts we took out showed no discernable wear on them.

If I'd known those details beforehand, I would not have elected to do the upgrade. However the only data point I had was hearing that an early S/C car needed a clutch at 15K miles. Since I didn't know the condition of my original clutch (and having read all of the hand-wringing over the eGear clutch life issues on the Lambos), I would have always worried about the clutch given the increased power of the S/C upgrade. So in retrospect I don't regret the decision to do the V10 clutch upgrade.

[AJR8]

You need to replace everything? I mean...don't you just can replace pressure plate(v10 bigger?) and cluth? Without replacing flywheel and actuator...?

I'm very interested in doing this MOD...

[Europrice]

You just replace the clutch assembly, flywheel doesn't need to be changed. I would replace the actuator just because you are in there if you had "higher" mileage, since it can only be replaced by pulling the transmission. Just another smart thing to replace while in there if it's got some age/use.

This modification can be done to the manual and R-Tronic transmissions for higher bhp handling.

R8 V10 Clutch Package - $1865.00 set

Can be shipped worldwide if needed, let me know if you are interested in a quote with shipping through PM or email: contact@europrice.us

Cheers,

[SebringSilver]

You just replace the clutch assembly, flywheel doesn't need to be changed. I would replace the actuator just because you are in there if you had "higher" mileage, since it can only be replaced by pulling the transmission. Just another smart thing to replace while in there if it's got some age/use.

This modification can be done to the manual and R-Tronic transmissions for higher bhp handling.

R8 V10 Clutch Package - $1865.00 set

Can be shipped worldwide if needed, let me know if you are interested in a quote with shipping through PM or email: contact@europrice.us

Cheers,

Aside from the V10 clutch's ability to handle higher power outputs (because of a supercharger or turbos being added), are there other reasons for opting to install the V10 clutch when it does come time to replace the clutch on a V8 R8?

[desperado]

You need to replace everything? I mean...don't you just can replace pressure plate(v10 bigger?) and cluth? Without replacing flywheel and actuator...?

I'm very interested in doing this MOD...

Alexander's logic is the same as ours on the unitized Actuator/Throwout Bearing, and that is why we replaced it. I'd hate to only replace the clutch and then have the throwout bearing or hydraulic seals go out a few thousand miles later. The labor to tear it apart again would exceed the cost of the part. BTW, the housing, springs, pressure plate, and clutch discs are all a single assembly which is riveted together and cannot be ordered separately.

We had similar reasons for ordering the flywheel; we didn't know what we would find once we got in there, and didn't want to have to wait on parts if we discovered the flywheel was scored.

[Europrice]

Aside from the V10 clutch's ability to handle higher power outputs (because of a supercharger or turbos being added), are there other reasons for opting to install the V10 clutch when it does come time to replace the clutch on a V8 R8?

Essentially no other reason. There isn't any weight benefit or major design change, just higher clamping force. It's doing a clutch/pressure plate upgrade for power adders. I haven't heard of anyone slipping a V10 clutch setup as of yet just based on shear power output alone. I've dealt with and heard of some R-Tronic clutches wearing very quickly with aggressive driving or it being used in a lot of stop/go traffic or very slow maneuvering (parking garages, etc).

Cheers,

[SebringSilver]

Essentially no other reason. There isn't any weight benefit or major design change, just higher clamping force. It's doing a clutch/pressure plate upgrade for power adders. I haven't heard of anyone slipping a V10 clutch setup as of yet just based on shear power output alone. I've dealt with and heard of some R-Tronic clutches wearing very quickly with aggressive driving or it being used in a lot of stop/go traffic or very slow maneuvering (parking garages, etc).

Cheers,

Thanks for the insight, Alex.

[Europrice]

No problem, but I do wonder on the 700bhp plus monster cars if they are seeing any clutch slippage or if anyone has really had any issues as of yet, which is pretty awesome considering stock clutches don't usually handle a ton more power over stock in so many applications. Anyone with insane power levels had slippage based on power alone?

[AJR8]

I'm agree that there is no big deal in upgrading to V10 clutch without supercharging o tubocharging, but once that I have to change the clutch, like the cost is almost the same, at this point I'm thinking on putting the V10 one so that there is a little more clamping power...Audi dealer told that is better for a hard driving use of the car, but they have never done this kind of mod, but what they told me sounds logic!
P.s: This forum is great! Audi mechanics of my town should read this forum...they know nothing about R8!