Help deciding clutch for 88 GLi

[wetwerks_1]

Hi I am new to the thread and I have an 88 GLi and what I think is a bad throw out bearing. A similar problem happened almost 1 1/2 years ago. As I am driving, I press my clutch and it does not dis-engage (or engage, I guess would be the correct terminology). Last time this happened, I had just bought my Jetta and I knew squat! The shop said it was the throw out bearing and that it was a total of $790. I now realized I was bent over and screwed pretty hard but I got a working car for a person who knew nothing about A2s, I was happy.

Anyway, before the clutch engagement problem happened this time around, my shifter linkage broke while in 3rd gear. I was then forced to drive for approximately 3 blocks with 3 stop lights without the ability to use 1st & 2nd. By the time I got it to the parking lot, the transmission was smoking. I had a newer (more trusting, maybe) shop put in a short shift kit instead of just replacing oem linkage and bushings. I mentioned my 3rd gear episode and smoking transmission and they said that VW trannys could take the abuse and not to worry. I got the car back, and I loved the short shift kit. So much that I abused the tranny and my new shifting action at every stop light. About 2 months go by and that was when my clutch would refuse to engage.

This time around I am having a friend help me do the job myself along with upgrading since I will not have access to the motor and transmission out of the chasis for some time. I am having some trouble picking a maufaturer. I visit one site, and they will use one brand...then I go to find more info on that brand and I see people posting "xxx brand is crap", "xxx brand broke on me after xxx months of owning it"...so I go to another site and their catalog lists a different brand, so I do research on that brand and I find similar posts. I the mess of postings and reviews, I just don't know what manufacturer makes quality "upgraded standards" transmission components.

I am looking to keep this car a 1.8L 16v for the next couple of years I figure (and yes, I am aware of the deficit the 1.8 suffers from compared to the 2.0). During this time I would like to do as much bolt on as money will allow me to do. I am very tough on my tranny at almost every stop light I am at and I would like it to be able to be a daily driver for those next 2 years as well. perhaps a few years down the road I will switch it to the 2.0...

As far as brands are concern, I would like to know what people are using, how they are using it, for how long they have been using it, would they recommend it, and any other reasons why? I am a little tired of posts that simply state "brand xxx is crap", "brand yyy broke after 2 months"...taking into consideration that manufaturing processes are not 100% fool-proof...but some companies are willing to spend more money on QC than others...what brands do you guys use and why? Sachs...?, Neuspeed...?, Clutchmaster...?

Also, what e-tailer would you recommend or have had good business with in the past. I have been visiting New Dimension's website, ABD Racing's website, rapidparts.com...Any success with these or any others out there.

My apologies for the long post and much thanks to all those that reply to this.

Bao

Oh...by the way, I am looking to purchase the following...
Lighten Flywheel, Clutch disc and pressure plate, all neccessary seals, bearings, and bolts. I would prefer as close to a complete kit as possible and possibly in the Stage 3 category if possible.