Clutch Masters 89-91 VW Corrado 1.8L Supercharged (G60) / 92-95 VW Corrado 2.8L / 92-97 VW...

Clutch Masters 17036-HDC6 is the FX400 six-puck kit for the 9 in VW clutch used in the Corrado G60 and VR6, the B3/B4 Passat and the 2.8L VR6 Golf, GTI and Jetta. It is built for one kind of car: a VW that already makes far more torque than stock, from a smaller G60 pulley, a VR6 turbo or supercharger kit, or a built engine, and is slipping through an OE-style or organic clutch. If your Corrado is stock and the clutch is simply worn out, read the warnings below before you buy this one.

What the FX400 6-puck kit does in a Corrado or VR6

These cars use a single dry disc clamped between the flywheel and a diaphragm pressure plate. Clutch Masters pairs its Power Plus I high-leverage heavy-duty pressure plate with a sprung ceramic disc carrying six pucks instead of a full ring of friction material. Less contact area at higher clamp load is what lets it hold more: the maker rates the FX400 at a 170 percent increase in holding capacity and estimates this kit at 415 ft-lb.

The sprung hub keeps some damping for driveline shock, but the disc has no Marcel cushion between the linings. Clutch Masters says plainly that the 6-puck version engages very quickly and may chatter slightly in first and reverse, and that ceramic discs are never recommended for stock or near-stock cars. If you want ceramic grip with less bite, the maker's 8-puck FX400 (HDCL) keeps a Marcel spring and is aimed at street-driven cars.

Symptoms that point to this level of clutch

• A healthy, recently replaced clutch that still slips at full boost in third, fourth or fifth
• RPM flaring on hard upshifts once a pulley, chip or turbo kit went on
• Glazed or burnt disc after only a few track days or drag passes
• Burnt friction smell after a hard pull, with the engagement point creeping up the pedal

How to confirm before you buy

Make sure it really is the clutch. Roll on in fourth from low RPM at full throttle and watch the tach against road speed. Then look for oil on the bellhousing seam: a leaking rear main seal or gearbox input seal will contaminate any new disc, ceramic included. A pedal that will not release or gears that grind is a hydraulic or release problem, not holding capacity. Our slipping diagnosis guide walks through the road test, and clutch slipping causes and fixes covers the non-clutch causes. If you are torn between puck and full-face, read organic vs. ceramic clutch disc first.

Fitment

Our listing names the 1989-1991 Corrado 1.8L supercharged G60, the 1992-1995 Corrado 2.8L VR6 and the 1992-1997 Passat. Clutch Masters' application list for 17036-HDC6 reads:

• Corrado 1.8L supercharged G60, 1989-1992; Corrado 2.8L, 1992-1995
• Passat 2.0L 1989-1997, 1.9L 1990-1997 and 2.8L 1993-1997
• Golf, GTI and Jetta 2.8L VR6 5-speed: MK3 1993-1998 and MK4 1999-2005 (Golf 1995-2002, Jetta 1999-2002)

The maker builds this kit to OEM specifications for the factory flywheel. Their sister part numbers 17036-HDC6-X and -4SK are conversion kits that need a Clutch Masters flywheel, so do not confuse the three. Many of these cars have had engine or gearbox swaps over 30 years, so match the disc size and spline on your current clutch, or send us your year and VIN. Compare the gentler ACT VR1-HDSS street kit and the ACT VR1-HDG6 six-pad kit, or browse the clutch and rebuild kit collection.

Install notes

• Clutch Masters lists the pressure plate, disc, alignment tool and release bearing as included. The flywheel is not, and a pilot bearing comes only where the application uses one.
• Resurface or replace the flywheel. A ceramic disc on a glazed or hot-spotted face is the fastest way to bad chatter.
• Fix rear main and input shaft seal leaks while the gearbox is out.
• Center the disc with the supplied tool; an 18-piece alignment tool kit is a good backup. Torque the pressure plate bolts evenly in a star pattern to the factory figure and use only a light film of grease on the input splines.
• Refill with the gear oil VW specifies for your gearbox and bleed the clutch hydraulics with fresh brake fluid.
• Follow the maker's break-in: easy engagements, no launches, until the disc beds in.

Will 17036-HDC6 fit my 1993 Jetta or GTI VR6?

Clutch Masters lists it for the 2.8L VR6 5-speed in the 1993-1998 MK3 GTI and Jetta and in MK4 VR6 5-speed cars, as well as the Corrado and Passat. Send your year and VIN and we will confirm before it ships.

Is this kit good for a stock Corrado?

No. Clutch Masters says ceramic discs are never recommended for stock or near-stock cars, and this 6-puck disc engages very quickly with possible chatter in first and reverse. A stock car is better served by an organic street kit.

How much torque does it hold?

Clutch Masters rates the FX400 at a 170 percent increase in holding capacity and estimates this kit at 415 ft-lb.

Does it come with a flywheel?

No. It is built for the factory flywheel. The kit includes the pressure plate, disc, alignment tool and release bearing, plus a pilot bearing only where the application needs one.

What is the difference between HDC6, HDC6-X and HDC6-4SK?

HDC6 is the kit for the OEM flywheel. The -X and -4SK versions are conversion kits that must be used with a Clutch Masters flywheel.

• Transmission Slipping Diagnosis Guide
• Shift Flare vs. Slip: How to Tell the Difference
• Automatic vs. Manual Transmission Repair Cost