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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Manual vs. Hydraulic Clutch Actuation

Posted by: GTPatrick Mar 4 2006, 01:00 AM

Has anyone tried to convert the manual clutch cable over to hydraulic clutch lines before ??? Has this been discussed before ???

As to the master & slave cylinder , it seems that at the front end where the clutch pedal is , it could possibly be done but back at the clutch housing it would be hard to come up with a sane workable design . Present day race cars and road cars have hydraulic lines instead of cables so why not the 914 ???

Anyone have any input on this ???

Posted by: messix Mar 4 2006, 01:04 AM

there are hydrualic throw out bearings. not sure about fitting one up to 901's. worth some research though.

Posted by: GTPatrick Mar 4 2006, 01:08 AM

With the hydraulic actuation, you don't have to worry about adjusting the clutch cable, stretch of the line etc. . The problem that I see is that to mount the master cylinder back on the clutch/transmission would be possibly be a biatch of a conversion . Not unless someone has done it before without too big a hassle . popcorn[1].gif

Posted by: Travis Neff Mar 4 2006, 01:50 AM

Airsix has done this, maybe pics in his blog?

Posted by: lapuwali Mar 4 2006, 02:42 AM

It has been done more than once and more than one way. Cobbling up the pedal box mount is the most challenging part of it. Rich Johnson, I think, sells the parts to do one.

While you don't have to worry about adjusting the cable or dealing with a broken cable, you do have to worry about leaky master and/or slave cylinders. No free lunch. Indeed, I've generally had more trouble with hydraulic clutch setups than cable clutch setups.

Posted by: type47 Mar 4 2006, 05:59 AM

vanagons (80-91 vw vans) have hydraulic clutches, maybe some of those parts could be used.

Posted by: 9146986 Mar 4 2006, 07:14 AM

I may have had the first set up, and paid for the R&D for the kit that Rich sells. It uses a 928 master cylinder, and an aftermarket pull type slave cylinder made by CNC (a VW/buggy supplier). It also required a custom weld in bracket to mount the master cylinder, and a bolt on bracket for the slave cylinder. You also have to drill a hole for the m/c push rod.

The master cylinder was actuated directly off the clutch cable pivot up front, with a bolt and a heim joint on the m/c push rod. I ran teflon stainless braid brake line through the cable tube for the hydraulic line. The brake resevior supply line was spliced with a T to supply the system.

The first slave cylinder went south early from heat exposure, so I wrapped the heat exchangers with Thermo-Tech header wrap, and that slave (as far as I know) has been on the car, problem free for about ten years now.

Posted by: wbergtho Mar 4 2006, 07:23 AM

Do a search for hydraulic clutch and you'll see all the conversions you'll want to see. Some were ingenious...some were overkill. I like the guy who can make a clean conversion without killing himself over a month's time (there are a few likw that too). USE THE SEARCH ENGINE! IT WORKS.

Posted by: GTPatrick Mar 4 2006, 01:25 PM

Thanks for the info .

Posted by: turbo914v8 Mar 5 2006, 09:29 AM

I did this conversion on my 914, but have since moved up to the Tiltion 3 pedal set up. I have pictures of different installs and I also have for sale a partial kit. PM me if your interested.

Posted by: rick 918-S Mar 5 2006, 09:41 AM

QUOTE (turbo914v8 @ Mar 5 2006, 07:29 AM)
I did this conversion on my 914, but have since moved up to the Tiltion 3 pedal set up. I have pictures of different installs and I also have for sale a partial kit. PM me if your interested.

Post the photos in your blog so we can view them here.