KEP Stage 1 Pressure Plate — 1700 lb Clamp, 200mm | VW Air-Cooled Performance (00-4090-0)

Kennedy (KEP) Stage 1 Pressure Plate — 1700 lb Clamp, 200mm — VW Air-Cooled Performance (00-4090-0)

Kennedy Engineered Products (KEP) Stage 1 pressure plate — the entry point into Kennedy's lineup of heavy-duty clutch components that have been the standard for VW drag racing, off-road, and sand competition for decades. Rated at 1700 lb of clamping force, this plate handles serious power without the on/off feel of higher-stage Kennedy plates.

The 1700 lb clamping force (versus roughly 1500 lb for a stock VW pressure plate) prevents the disc from slipping under high torque — the failure mode that destroys clutches in built engines. Stage 1 is Kennedy's lowest-pressure performance plate: livable on the street but holds well past stock power. Making serious power (4-puck disc, high-stall drag launches, sand drag)? Consider stepping up to Stage 2 or higher.

Vehicle Fitment

• VW Type 1 / Type 2 / Type 3 (Beetle, Bus, Karmann Ghia, Thing, Type 3): engines with a 200 mm flywheel (most performance-built air-cooled engines)
• Use: performance street, off-road, drag, and sand applications
• Pair with a 200 mm clutch disc: KEP 4-puck (16-9898-0) for harsher engagement, KEP 6-puck (16-9899-0) for smoother engagement, or a stock-style disc for street use

Why Choose Kennedy Engineered Products?

Kennedy has been building performance clutches for air-cooled VWs since the 1970s and remains the reference brand for serious engine builders. Made in the USA. If the engine in front of your transaxle is making real power, KEP is what holds it together.

Key Features & Benefits

• 1700 lb clamping force: holds well past stock power without the on/off feel of higher-stage plates
• Removable center ring: included metal ring is removable for late-model style applications
• Competition-proven: KEP is the standard for VW drag, off-road, and sand competition
• Made in the USA

Technical Specifications

• EMPI Part #: 00-4090-0
• Clamping force: 1700 lb
• Diameter: 200 mm
• Stage: 1 (Kennedy's lowest-pressure performance plate)
• Center ring: included metal ring; removable for late-model style applications
• UPC: 707924326062
• Packaging: boxed

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much clamping force does the Stage 1 provide? 1700 lb, versus roughly 1500 lb for a stock VW pressure plate.
• What flywheel size does it fit? A 200 mm flywheel, used on most performance-built VW Type 1 / Type 2 / Type 3 engines.
• Which clutch disc should I run with it? Pair it with a 200 mm disc — the KEP 4-puck (16-9898-0) for harsher engagement, the KEP 6-puck (16-9899-0) for smoother engagement, or a stock-style disc for street use.

Explore Related Categories

Drivetrain & Transmission, Transaxle Components, Kennedy Engineered Products