VR6 Helix clutch failed (x2!)

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As above I think a lighter flywheel and stronger clutch maybe the issue. Standard flywheel and clutch setup will sort it as you have removed all the possible problem parts.

Modifying a daily driver that you need everyday is another ball game to just modifying a car. You have to cover all bases and really think about reliability not just ultimate power. But I guess your coming round to that idea.

I think what you've done is fine it's just been let down by aftermarket products. I always try to avoid aftermarket stuff it always gives you grief,an aftermarket schrick alloy sump gave me the most grief in my entire build and it will be sold when the gearbox comes off later in the year.

Here's a quote from the above thread...


"Well just an update on this!

The clutch was sent back to Helix for testing, They got back to me saying the clutch had failed due to it being dropped off the line (drag type start)
Apparantly this can cause the clutch to fail, even thou the 4 point paddle clutch is rated to 300Bhp / 320 Ft lb's

So basically you carn't even do one high rpm start off the line, I thought Helix made competition / race type clutch's

Well I can 110% confirm that never happened, I couldn't do that even if I tried due to all the traction issue's
The only way that would work and the tyres grip would be in 3rd gear in perfectly dry conditions.

If I even attempted that in 1st or 2nd in any road condition, the tyres just instantly spin up and loose traction. This is already a problem and regular issue with normal driving.
Now I would have thought if the tyres just loose all traction and spin up, I wouldn't have any resistance/friction from the road surface & tyres putting preasure on the transmission?

What do you guys think?.

Anyway, Helix modified the clutch and changed the springs etc. to cope better with the torgue/power output, which has made a massive difference to the car.
Fair play to Helix in the end, at least they tried to sort the problem, if it works only time will tell.

Altough still not entirely happy it went in the first place, wonder if the mapping abuse caused the problem??

Everything that could be checked was checked and proved perfectly fine Gearbox, flywheel etc etc."

Firstly, welcome along Pete!

Secondly, are we gonna have another OddUnit Engineering Triage?

Any updates Pete?

howdy gents, thanks very much for all the input - reall appreciated.

apologies i haven't replied on here for a while; been away for a few days with work.

i'm still undecided as to exactlywhat i'm going to do with the car yet. the way t's looking at the moment though, i think i will end up breaking it...

If your going to break it it must be more than just the clutch your unhappy about. Are you dissatisfied with the end result regardless of the clutch issue or was it the trauma of the install that has ruined it for you?

i'm not disappointed with the end result (despite the fact the suspension etc still needs setting up properly, it felt really good to drive). there are a load of issues to work out still if i was to keep it (changing the enine mounts or something more sensible, having a major sort out of the interior trim, paintwork, very slight blow in the manifold etc etc).

the thing is i've just totally lost all motvation with the car. also if i fix it now, there's nothing to say it won't just break down again before long and frankly i'm pretty f*cked off with it all.

i really need a reliable car for my daily; one that i know will give me no problems at all, will start first time every time and won't break down during a journey. that's largely in part because of my job, but also the inconvenience that having a car like that causes, not to mention the fact that both my parents and my girlfriend now hate cars more than anything else in the world!

to be honest i'm properly gutted to pull it all to bits, especially after all the effort that's gone into it; but it's obvious i can't rely on it and i really am just fed up with it after it's taken so long, so much effort and caused so much heartache at home - enough is enough

It is a shame,but I see where u are coming from.

The thing that costs the most money with any daily driver project is reliability. It's an age old problem unfortunately.

Typical example, do you use cheap silicon vacuum lines that can split and pull off the fittings easily, or do you spend 50 times as much on proper braided lines and fittings that will last indefinitely?

My view is "If there is any doubt, there is no doubt". Any part that doesn't look quite right or looks flimsy, WILL let you down sooner or later and leave you stuck by the side of the road. It's all part of the school of over engineering.

I learned that mistake with the crappy Brazilian manifolds and cheap rubber hoses etc. They DID let me down.... repeatedly.

I suspect if you'd gone the whole hog and fitted the matching 02M gearbox and clutch to go with the r32, you'd be absolutely loving it right now. But it boils down to money and time, which is another hurdle with most projects.

Anyway, I think it's totally salvagable. Some of the stuff you've listed is very minor and can be done as and when.

You've got a good engine in the car which will last you, the rest can wait until your enthusiasm returns. I really wouldn't sell yourself short mate, you should be proud of what you've achieved. I certainly couldn't wave goodbye to 6 years hard work.

Chin up! Have a mull over the weekend and see how you feel

Hi Pete, well my hour long lecture as to why you shouldn't sell it didn't work!!! Still when you pull the box off just check the input shaft.

Another 24V that hasent been kept after the conversion, are they all destined to sell after the conversion is complete? I have the week off this week and was intending to go up to Jon's workshop to bolt on the rest of the suspension/brakes lines etc, now I'm wondering

on a random and belated note...

i finally got round to taking the clutch that i didn't buy new to a friend of mine who works at LuK clutches.

he had a look at it and said that he doesn't recon that the rivets wee installed squarely - baically that means that they wll allow a tiny bits of movement in the check straps which will eventually translate into a lot of movement which will saw it's wat through the rivets - not good!

i still recon that my flywheel or some part of my car was at fault rather than the helix, but it's interesting to hear his opinion.
he's going to replace all the rivets for me, test the clutch of their macine then give it back to me; so if anyone is in the market for a basically new vr6 helix clutch at a much reduced price then please drop me a PM