Problems with my Spec clutch!!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
Problems with my Spec clutch!!
I installed a new Spec clutch-stage III with carbon pads(rated to 600-650 hp) last year and finally made it to the track this past Saturday with very disappointing results. I was expecting to run a very low 11 or maybe a high 10 with the changes that I had made from the previous time at the track- most notably the Spec clutch as opposed to the stock one(which was slipping at the time), new Centerlines and a line lock.
Anyway, I pulled through the water box to heat the tires, and my new clutch just boiled- would not even spin the wheels! I tried to make a run anyway, but it was useless. I haven't had any problems with it until then, but I had never put any real pressure on it either. I have under 10,000 EASY miles on the clutch- I just cannot understand what happened. It drove home fine- no problems.
Has anyone else had problems similiar to this? I met a guy at the track that said he had went through three of the stage III carbon clutches in his LT1 F-body(car runs 10.90s) in six months. I plan on tearing into it in a couple of days. I know Spec is a company that stands behind their product- we will see.
:cuss :rant: :cuss :banghead: :cuss
Anyway, I pulled through the water box to heat the tires, and my new clutch just boiled- would not even spin the wheels! I tried to make a run anyway, but it was useless. I haven't had any problems with it until then, but I had never put any real pressure on it either. I have under 10,000 EASY miles on the clutch- I just cannot understand what happened. It drove home fine- no problems.
Has anyone else had problems similiar to this? I met a guy at the track that said he had went through three of the stage III carbon clutches in his LT1 F-body(car runs 10.90s) in six months. I plan on tearing into it in a couple of days. I know Spec is a company that stands behind their product- we will see.
:cuss :rant: :cuss :banghead: :cuss
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Re: Problems with my Spec clutch!! (Dr. Doom)
An F-body friend of mine had tons of problems with SPEC clutches. There are some people who have had good luck but from my experience the ratio of good experiences to bad experiences with SPEC is way out of line.
It seems to be hit or miss, with a lot more misses than hits.
It seems to be hit or miss, with a lot more misses than hits.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,784
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
Re: Problems with my Spec clutch!! (Nathan Plemons)
An F-body friend of mine had tons of problems with SPEC clutches. There are some people who have had good luck but from my experience the ratio of good experiences to bad experiences with SPEC is way out of line.
It seems to be hit or miss, with a lot more misses than hits.
It seems to be hit or miss, with a lot more misses than hits.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: Problems with my Spec clutch!! (StealDads67)
sorry about your luck, but I had nothing but problems with my SPEC... so much so, it never got installed. :mad :mad :mad :mad
I have a 400.00 hunk of junk sitting on my back porch, only cause I hate to throw it away... its a constant reminder of how to NOT get screwed.
They sent the wrong pressure plate...
And were utterly useless for customer service.
SPEC Sucks. :mad :mad :mad :mad
I have a 400.00 hunk of junk sitting on my back porch, only cause I hate to throw it away... its a constant reminder of how to NOT get screwed.
They sent the wrong pressure plate...
And were utterly useless for customer service.
SPEC Sucks. :mad :mad :mad :mad
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,713
Likes: 3
From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Problems with my Spec clutch!! (bogus)
My stage 3 has never given me any problems other than a little chatter under light loads. At the track I can beat it like a red headed step child.
Not sure if I have the Kevlar or Carbon though. I have the tougher of the two.
Not sure if I have the Kevlar or Carbon though. I have the tougher of the two.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,664
Likes: 749
From: NEwhere Ohio
Re: Problems with my Spec clutch!! (Nathan Plemons)
I am one of the ones with good luck with SPEC clutches. I have a SPEC stage II/ aluminum flywheel combo. No problems, hard launches, bites, barks between shifts, etc.
The only problem i had with the install wasnt clutch related. I didnt torque down the driveline support enough and use loc-tite on its threads. It worked its way loose causing the shifter **** to move up and down under acceleration/decceleration.
The only problem i had with the install wasnt clutch related. I didnt torque down the driveline support enough and use loc-tite on its threads. It worked its way loose causing the shifter **** to move up and down under acceleration/decceleration.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 2
From: Little Rock Arkansas
Re: Problems with my Spec clutch!! (dizwiz24)
I've had NOTHING but problems with SPEC pieces...At least on Vettes and F-bodies; a lot of the Mustang guys run them and like them and another friend has one on his 9 second Ichipussi Eclipse drag car... But my experience with them is VERY negative! Ditch it, buy a McLeod Street Twin (hell, you've already spent almost what you'd pay for one on the SPEC)...You won't have a problem with it. I've run 9's with one...
-Jeb
-Jeb
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 0
From: Brighton, MI
Re: Problems with my Spec clutch!! (R94 LT 1)
Man you guys are scaring me. I just bought a 93 project car with the engine out. In the pile of parts I was given a new in the wrapper stage 2 clutch and flywheel. It was new in the wrapper because the guy I bought it from had a bad one and they replaced it. I thought I was getting something good. Now I'm wondering if I should mess with it at all. :confused:
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
Re: Problems with my Spec clutch!! (Dr. Doom)
I don't really understand it. I have approx. 10,000 miles on mine as well and never experienced any problems either until I put a set of ET streets on it and pulled through the water box. I don't have any problems on the street driving around- just when I put a lot pressure on it. But this clutch should have been more than capable. It really disgust me. When I was searching last year for a clutch, SPEC was all the rage and and Centerforce was being dragged through the mud. Now what?
I don't know if I want to afford a Mcleod set-up. I spoke with RAM Automotive and I think that I may go with theirs. Summit sells the pressure plate for $326 and the disk for $151(RAM part #s 40101 & 1130, respectively). There is about a 1-2 week wait.
I think that I will just replace the SPEC and try to deal with them afterwards- I don't have the facilities to leave my car apart while they inspect it. I am just really disappointed.
:mad :mad :mad :mad :mad :mad :mad :mad :mad :mad :mad :mad
I don't know if I want to afford a Mcleod set-up. I spoke with RAM Automotive and I think that I may go with theirs. Summit sells the pressure plate for $326 and the disk for $151(RAM part #s 40101 & 1130, respectively). There is about a 1-2 week wait.
I think that I will just replace the SPEC and try to deal with them afterwards- I don't have the facilities to leave my car apart while they inspect it. I am just really disappointed.
:mad :mad :mad :mad :mad :mad :mad :mad :mad :mad :mad :mad
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,713
Likes: 3
From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Problems with my Spec clutch!! (Dr. Doom)
The only better solution to the SPEC is the McCleod dual disk IMO. It should be the last clutch you ever have to buy too as I have never heard of anyone really wearing one out.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
Re: Problems with my Spec clutch!! (Vette92)
The only better solution to the SPEC is the McCleod dual disk IMO. It should be the last clutch you ever have to buy too as I have never heard of anyone really wearing one out.
The only thing that one has to worry about with the Mcleod is breaking anything else that comes after the clutch on the drivetrain.
:cheers:
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 2
From: Little Rock Arkansas
Re: Problems with my Spec clutch!! (Dr. Doom)
Buy a McLeod...I ran the RAM stuff for a long time and it's great stuff. But if you start making some real power and have slicks (which you do) you'll burn one of those up too... I do a lot of business with McLeod (know them well); if you'll IM me I'll see if I can get you a better deal...
-Jeb
-Jeb
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 9,713
Likes: 3
From: Sachse Texas
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Problems with my Spec clutch!! (Dr. Doom)
I know they sell it as a set flywheel to pressure plate, which is why it costs more than the PP/clutch disk setups. They also have an aluminum version. I would call them and ask as I think it may just be a regular single mass flywheel they use.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,535
Likes: 2
From: Rochester NY
Re: Problems with my Spec clutch!! (Vette92)
High hp car, M'cloud street twin clutch is the way to go. It pricy. I love mine. I have talk to a guy who lives a couple hrs away from me. He told me he ran thru 3 sets of diff brand clutch and have no luck did not hold up at the track. Since he replaced with M'cloud street twin he says he has'nt have any problem. He told me to go with M'cloud street twin and I glad I did.
Bruce
93LT1 Conv w/ZF6
Blown 383ci
[Modified by Bruce, 10:49 AM 5/18/2003]
Bruce
93LT1 Conv w/ZF6
Blown 383ci
[Modified by Bruce, 10:49 AM 5/18/2003]
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Fear causes hesitaiton...and hesitation will cause your worst fears to come true. Houston TX
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Cruise-In VII Veteran
Re: Problems with my Spec clutch!! (Bruce)
I feel fortunate not to have had any problems w/ my Spec stage 2. I flog the car pretty hard every chance I get and it hasn't been an issue at all.
