Uprated clutch experiences?

[Fat_Pirate]

I've recently started pulling a caravan with my Berlingo, as I'm too hoity-toity for a tent and not dead enough on the inside to consider a cruise. The Bingo has the 1.6 16V 110BHP petrol donkey, so it pulls fairly well but a lack of torque below 3000RPM means any reversing or slow manouvering requires a lot of clutch slipping. In fact smoke starts pouring out of every gap after a few mins... then it takes 2 days for the stench to disappear.

 

We've had this car years and I don't want to replace it (and it's in disgraceful condition so would be difficult to sell anyway), so I'm considering a stage 1 or 2 clutch when the current one fails. Would this actually help though? I don't need more clamping action, just something that'll withstand abuse.

[Pete-M]

I suspect the choice of uprated clutches for a Berlingo will be less than huge. Do the vans have a bigger clutch option?

 

My experiences with competition clutches have been varied. Paddle clutches are hopeless for road use. AP Racing made the best 'full round' clutch I've experienced, pedal action was at least as light as standard and it didn't slip even with huge provocation. Was £400+ over 15 years ago though...

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

Wasn't that an engine fitted all across the PSA range? It may be worth checking the OMG LAX POWA CITREON SUCKSHO MODDERZ PHORAM, or whatever it's called, to see whether there's anything used by that brigade.

[Richard]

I think I would be looking at remapping to give it more torque where it's needed.

[catsinthewelder]

Rather than change bits of the car to make it withstand the abuse it might be cheaper to fit a motor-mover to the caravan. I used to fit them to new caravans at a dealership and it's an easy enough job if you've got access to a pit.

[jonny69]

I'm not sure what a stage 1 or 2 clutch is but I've got a bit of experience with uprated clutches on tuned motors. Generally they have more clamping force (i.e. heavier springs) and material with more friction. Then when you move up to race (paddle) clutches they just have a couple of very grippy pads instead of a ring of friction material. They can be VERY smelly when you slip them - much worse than an equivalent road clutch - because of what they're made of, plus the friction material is loaded up with very abrasive particles so it'll wear down the pressure plate and flywheel a lot faster than a standard clutch will. Not sure if that's what you meant, but that's my experience.

 

I think you need something with more torque and a bit more gearing so you don't need to use the clutch as much.

[dollywobbler]

That sounds like some serious clutch abuse - I'm surprised you have to be that brutal with it. How heavy is the caravan?! I know the 2CV has much lower gearing, but even towing a caravan with it around the Peak District didn't require much more clutch slipping than normal. The only time I've experienced a clutch getting that badly treated was when a mate got a Shogun stuck trying to reverse uphill on his very steep driveway. With a Delica on a trailer behind it.