Improving the VW's clutch with shims

In this video I show you how to increase your aircooled VW's clutch's performance - a 20% increase in my case - just by using shims. And an old input shaft with a socket welded to it. And a torque wrench.
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[@babelonchabalala1690]

Put some fresh lining on the clutch plate and had the pressure plate resurfaced , but then couldnt shift into gear afterwards...... The guy at the machine shop recommended adding the shim washers so the release bearing can travel a bit further to release the clutch and get gears...... I will try this before finally deciding to buy a new kit..... Thanks for reassuring that this might actually work lol

[@djambrosia]

Never realised you could do that, thanks for sharing.

[@2BugsandaBack]

I'd heard about it but never actually tried it before. I was surprised at the difference it makes though!

[@vwsandvettes3253]

Wow, having gotten by with just a stock clutch PP and disk 'til now in my teenie little 40hp big bore 83mm type 1 engines, I've never given this process any thought. As yours (I believe) is a 300+ HP unit I can see that it becomes a lot more important to know how much holding power there is. I can imagine a day at the drag strip is no fun when you are trailered due to a slipping clutch! Thanks for this interesting video - Ted.

[@2BugsandaBack]

Yeah, I think a stock clutch would have a better 'grip'(?) if you did this, but in practice they have enough straight out of the box that it's not necessary. Clutch problems have plagued me and this thing since I got it back on the road so this is a last ditch attempt to solve them before I have to go down the expensive route of having a custom twin disk setup made. And yep, trailering the car 200 miles to the drag strip and then the clutch not holding is extremely frustrating!

[@notsoeasy5573]

Are you still using original clutch wire? Is that clutch heavy to use? I have a problem with empi stage 2 pressure plate, original wire line is not holding ( that tube in the chassis is bending) i did throw away original wires and assemble hydraulic clutch line, it is stil too hard to use. Yes i know its all about the a lever ratio that need to be fixed 😊

[@2BugsandaBack]

Yes, it's still the stock cable but I'm using a Type 2 bellhousing so I don't know if the lever is a bit longer or anything. It's heavier than a stock clutch for sure, but it's not so bad that it is hard to drive. I can drive this thing in traffic no problem at all.

[@tonylayne5726]

You should show the shems and where you put them.

[@2BugsandaBack]

The shims are M8 washers of a known thickness. There are 6 of them and you place them between the clutch cover and the flywheel where the clutch cover bolts go. It can be difficult so a dab of grease or even a light spray glue can be used to hold them in place until you get the bolts in.

[@tecate9408]

What is this shim looks like and where would it be installed?

[@2BugsandaBack]

They're just washers, but they're washers which are a specific thickness. They go in between the pressure plate and the flywheel. There are 6 of them and they're a bit fiddly to put in because they keep falling out so I used a tiny smear of grease to hold them in place until the bolts were tightened.

[@tecate9408]

@@2BugsandaBack great thank you

[@ddk56vw]

Are you still running this clutch disk? How did you like it?

[@2BugsandaBack]

No, it was good while it lasted, but a failed gearbox seal contaminated it really badly so it ruined it. I've got a custom made 228mm 5 paddle disc and a matching Kennedy Stage 2 228m cover now. That's all working really well.

[@ddk56vw]

@@2BugsandaBack what time of material is the 5 puc made out of. I'm wanting to try a new setup myself. Thanks

[@2BugsandaBack]

@@ddk56vw It's a cerametallic one. I did a video on it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKGVqXVvh8SojcU After that video, the clip came off the release bearing and destroyed the starter motor so I had to pull it all out. That's when I fitted the Kennedy stage 2 cover as well.