Hi guys, just had my baby back off Mark Shead after a year in development and boy does she go Truly top quality workmanship. The only thing is I am struggling to getting used to the AP 6 paddle clutch pulling off. I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice or inform me of the right technique? Dont want to look like a rookie driving round lol

 

I have a brand new paddle clutch too, not sure there is much you can do or if there is 'any' technique, you just have to bunny hop along like the rest of us

 

Lol, are you suppsoed to let the clutch straight out with revs, or is there still a biting point like a normal clutch?

 

Its either stall it, launch it, or bunny hop it, but you do get used to them after a while

 

Lol Feel like a right idiot though in traffic lol. When Mark drove it didnt feel it bunny hopping at all though, was hoping there was a little secret out there........lol

 

Tell me about it, people look in the car expecting to see some old woman when im pulling away at 5k revs

 

Lol, I know its so embarassing. People looking at you thinking you have just passed your test or something lol

 

glad yor happy with the car jay, sawit when i was at marks and its a beast!

i have just got a alcon paddle fitted to mine and to be honest it ruins the car i think...

needs must tho!

try pulling away more quickly than usual but sometimes it doesnt work either

 

Hi euan, yeah the car is awesome Definately agree on the paddle clutch though. I know Mark said there was a possiblity of him developing a carbon clutch or something that would operate like a normal clutch but take a lot of power. He did one for an Evo but it coists in the region of 2k Might consider it when the paddle goes however.........

 

the alcon one is supposed to be one of the best for operation and feeling..
alothough many people fit the ford pressure plate and cover to ease things up, mine has the full alcon set up.

welcome mine to see what you think?

 

Thanks Euan, that would be great Saw your car at Marks when I picked mine up but didnt get chance to look at it properly. Its going to be a bit of a beast too so I hear I have to go back down to Marks in few weeks, prob just after xmas to get a few things ironed out so if you are in the area be cool to have a looksy

 

my car should be away before xmas jay all things going to plan

my car should be quite fast, never know

i have a power fig to aim for but will need to see what mark can get from the engine...he reckons it should be over ???bhp

 

just give it a bit more revs than before and ride it slightly and you will get used to it , i have

 

So ride the clutch slightly and keep revs high?

 

Hello mate - I did chuckle watching you leave Mark's on Thursday (Neil here with the Purple Astra BTW) I did the same for about a week after having my paddle clutch although mine is a bit more forgiving than your AP. Glad you made it home in one piece though, Mike and I were a bit worried after you said it was the first time you were driving it after so long and it was a bit of a wet day!!!

Hello to Euan to, How's your's coming along? Saw it again when I came back for my re-map... you probably heard that my alternator died after I last saw you.

Only got the Astra out for the first time today. I need a dry day more than you boys lol And I can certainly be added to the happy customer list of Mark Shead's. I just can't believe what he has done to the car - it's incredible.

 

Hi Neil, yeah it seemed like an ordeal getting it home lol. Went out in it for the second time today and I must say I did myself proud, not one stall and quite a few smooth pull offs. Starting to get the hang of this paddle clutch mallarky - although i havent attenpted a hill start yet Been avoiding them like the plague lol.

So how is your car now its mapped?

 

I took it out on Sunday for a bit of a blast and it's damn quick. I'm getting a bit of a clutchy smell now, so I may well have to go down the same route as you, but apart from that all seems fine. I've got to give it to Mark, he's done wonders to the car. I used to have nothing but problems with the previous setup, but now the power is there every time i go for it.
It will be some time before i get bored of this power.

So what's the Escort like now? What was it again 550 something?

 

yeah heard it died not long after mark upped the boost!

how much boost you running now?

my car is fine but a delay in some parts arriving have prevented mark from getting on with it....
should be ready in a week or so from now

 

Bet you can't wait mate! Will be a nice drive home eh?

Yeah, Mark had it boosting up to 2.2Bar, but that was seriously pushing the spec of my head, so this time he's mapped it to 2Bar and I'll drive it at 1.7 - 1.8Bar to be safe.

 

i let the clutch up to the biting point just as it starts to move dip the clutch a fraction then back up.seems to be the best way for me

 

Its running 500bhp and 483lbs torque So moderately quick hehe. Getting used to the paddle clutch, but was caught up in traffic today which was a nightmare