Advantages of the SACHS RCS Racing Clutch
Comparison: Standard vs. Racing Clutch
The following example shows the influence of clutch diameter on certain parameters. It compares a standard GMF 1/240 (Audi RS4) clutch with a RCS 2/200 Sinter-Pad and a RCS 3/140 Carbon clutch.
Diagram 1 shows that the racing clutches transmit higher torque despite their smaller diameter.
The RCS 2/200 Sinter-Pad clutch already shows considerable advantages. It has 40 % less weight, and the MoI is 50 % lower than the standard unit.
The RCS 3/140 Carbon clutch is around 70 % lighter and its MoI is approx. 90 % lower than the standard unit.
This illustrates the major role the clutch diameter plays in reducing weight when a racing clutch is used instead of a standard clutch.
Conversion of Clutch Weight into Simulated Vehicle Weight
At first glance, one might think that the mass of a clutch (5–10 kg) is negligible in comparison to the mass of the vehicle (ca. 1000 kg). What is often overlooked, however, is the gear ratio.
If the clutch has a MoI of 0.061 kgm², the MoI on the drive wheel will be 180 times higher in first gear (ratio 13.4:1). Converted to vehicle mass, this equals around 145 kg of additional weight. This inertia effect declines as the gear ratio decreases.
Reducing the weight of the crankshaft drive to lower the moment of inertia will considerably increase vehicle acceleration performance in the lower gears.
