TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri Nov 07, 2014 7:40 am

The search is down so I have to ask :oops:

Bus depot has 3 clutch kits, one German (Sachs) sprung, & two Brazilian kits (Sachs/armortex) sprung & un-sprung.

Whats the difference between sprung or not, & are the Brazilian kits any good?

http://www.busdepot.com/kf224g German

http://www.busdepot.com/kf22401 Brazil

http://www.busdepot.com/kf22402 Brazil (un-sprung)

This is for a 1641 engine.

Fri Nov 07, 2014 8:01 am

The first one is the one you want. Why you ask? Cause in order to replace the clutch you have to drop the engine, so...buy the best one you can get.

I run the German Sachs disc with a heavier plate in my bus cause I have a big ass engine. This kit will be great with your 1641.

Fri Nov 07, 2014 8:05 am

Hi
Look at the center of the clutch disc, you will note on the Sachs sprung disc there are springs that go around the center. On the Un-sprung disc there are no springs the center is solid.
The springs dampen the clutch engagement.

Fri Nov 07, 2014 8:31 am

I think you'd be fine using any of the three.

Fri Nov 07, 2014 8:59 am

So the springs help take the jolts out of shifting, right?

Wonder why the big price difference between the German & Brazilian? What makes the German one worth $120.00 more?

I have no problem getting good parts, & spending the money for them, just wondering if I'm buying the better clutch, or the same one with a Germany stamp on it :lol:

Of course Bus depot's line is nonstop busy (like always lately), so I can't ask them :roll:

Fri Nov 07, 2014 9:10 am

I've used a lot of Brazillian parts with good results.

Fri Nov 07, 2014 9:41 am

aeromech wrote: I've used a lot of Brazillian parts with good results.

My inner cheapskate won :lol: :lol:

I talked to the guy on the phone from Bus depot & he said that they were basically the same, except for the Brazilian sprung kit came with the alignment tool & a backing plate that the German one didn't.

Fri Nov 07, 2014 10:09 am

suffecool2 wrote: Wonder why the big price difference between the German & Brazilian?

Really. Don't we all. It seems to be very rare that any vendor/manufacturer can or will explain the differences between product
alternatives such as this. It also frequently happens that the "made in Germany" or "German" phrase is pure deception. I do
notice that you get two or three extra rivets in the "German" version of the PP. In the absence of any other information, it may be wise
to assume that the $120. extra buys you only that.

Fri Nov 07, 2014 10:29 am

I've been told that German steel is superior. Pretty sure that matters with things like bearings but in a clutch cover I'll bet the Brazillian stuff would be fine. I've used Brazillian master cylinders at $45 with good results when the German counterpart was well over $100.

Fri Nov 07, 2014 10:48 am

I'll probably replace this clutch in about a year anyways, so why not save a hundred bucks? I'll be installing a MUCH bigger engine within that time :twisted: & will need a heavier duty clutch anyways.

My transmission just shit the bed & I had to buy a temporary used transmission to run till my Berg 5-speed gets built.

Fri Nov 07, 2014 10:51 am

You won't need a bigger clutch. It will only be hard on your muscles and wear out the clutch pedal and cable early. Those are for buggies that like to drop the clutch at high rpm and blast over a sand dune.

Fri Nov 07, 2014 10:56 am

aeromech wrote: You won't need a bigger clutch. It will only be hard on your muscles and wear out the clutch pedal and cable early. Those are for buggies that like to drop the clutch at high rpm and blast over a sand dune.

Even for a 2300-2500cc engine?

Fri Nov 07, 2014 11:01 am

Geez, what the hell are you planning?

Fri Nov 07, 2014 11:07 am

aeromech wrote: Geez, what the hell are you planning?

:twisted: :twisted: A rocket bus? :lol: :lol:

Not going with the big engine for speed, it's a bus, never was meant to be fast.

I want the torque for the mountains/hills and towing/hauling.

The 5-speed will have the same gearing (I'm not one of the people who think it gives you another gear on top of 4th) just closer together.

Fri Nov 07, 2014 11:11 am

suffecool2 wrote: aeromech wrote: Geez, what the hell are you planning?

:twisted: :twisted: A rocket bus? :lol: :lol:

Not going with the big engine for speed, it's a bus, never was meant to be fast.

I want the torque for the mountains/hills and towing/hauling.

The 5-speed will have the same gearing (I'm not one of the people who think it gives you another gear on top of 4th) just closer together.

Oh, also the bus may get a small lift in the future, think Clyde, & this combo will help with turning the bigger tires.

Fri Nov 07, 2014 11:19 am

I have over 200hp in 1 of my buses. No way in hell could a stock clutch hold while I do evil things to it.

Kennedy stage1 and a copperhead disk. H/D cross shaft and bronze bushings.

Or pull your engine every other day.

You pick

Fri Nov 07, 2014 11:24 am

skills@eurocarsplus wrote: I have over 200hp in 1 of my buses. No way in hell could a stock clutch hold while I do evil things to it.

Kennedy stage1 and a copperhead disk. H/D cross shaft and bronze bushings.

Or pull your engine every other day.

You pick

I'll go with your first suggestion :lol:

I figured that a bigger clutch would be in order, not drag strip one, but a good heavy duty one like you suggested.

BTW, over 200hp? Holy shit :shock: I want a ride in your bus, is it a Subie conversion?

Fri Nov 07, 2014 12:45 pm

suffecool2 wrote: aeromech wrote: You won't need a bigger clutch. It will only be hard on your muscles and wear out the clutch pedal and cable early. Those are for buggies that like to drop the clutch at high rpm and blast over a sand dune.

Even for a 2300-2500cc engine?

The biggest ACVW engine you can build is a 2332 and that's more of a bug/Ghia race engine.

I find it real odd that instead of buying the good German clutch once you opt to buy 2 clutches and spend even more money. Sounds like your not saving any money. You could have just bought a heavier pressure plate when you get your next engine built and still used the German disc. 2109, 2110 or a 2175 are GREAT engines for a bus. Plenty of torque for the mountains, ask me I'll tell ya. I drive daily in the Rockies.

Please keep us posted on the performance of this Brizilan clutch you bought.

Skills is running a subie engine.

Fri Nov 07, 2014 12:55 pm

Yeah, my comments were based on my experience with large type 1 engines in buses. Of course if a guy puts a big ass modified V8 in there he's going to need a bigger clutch. The Sachs kit works great for the VW air cooled powered buses.

Fri Nov 07, 2014 12:56 pm

richparker wrote: suffecool2 wrote: aeromech wrote: You won't need a bigger clutch. It will only be hard on your muscles and wear out the clutch pedal and cable early. Those are for buggies that like to drop the clutch at high rpm and blast over a sand dune.

Even for a 2300-2500cc engine?

The biggest ACVW engine you can build is a 2332 and that's more of a bug/Ghia race engine.

I find it real odd that instead of buying the good German clutch once you opt to buy 2 clutches and spend even more money. Sounds like your not saving any money. You could have just bought a heavier pressure plate when you get your next engine built and still used the German disc. 2109, 2110 or a 2175 are GREAT engines for a bus. Plenty of torque for the mountains, ask me I'll tell ya. I drive daily in the Rockies.

Please keep us posted on the performance of this Brizilan clutch you bought.

Skills is running a subie engine.

You can actually get a 2500 type 1, I went with the cheaper one due to I don't have the extra $120 right now for it, my bus is a DD that is broke down, tranny, I have a used tranny on the way here as we speak. I have to get to work & school. Normally I would have got the German one, but time and funds made my decision for me :(