Spec Clutches equal JUNK!
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 3
From: East Hampton CT
Originally Posted by Phil97SVT
And people wonder why I am so happy with my $350 ram clutches. What kind of setup are you running to make 800ft/lbs of torque?
Geesus, can't someone just make a 500hp/tq clutch that DOESN'T have a problem and can be driven normally and still hold the power for less than $500? If this was a camaro I wouldn't care as bad since I could do the clutch myself if it sucked....but I'm having this done professionally by CT Corvettes and I don't want to have to pay for it twice!!!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore Maryland
Originally Posted by FixedRoof
SPEC = GARBAGE!
Simple as that. Had a 3, it took a crap. One of my best friends had a 3+ and it took a crap. Bad QC and balance issues as well..
Simple as that. Had a 3, it took a crap. One of my best friends had a 3+ and it took a crap. Bad QC and balance issues as well..
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 653
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From: Baltimore Maryland
Originally Posted by gpm30236
I have a spec 3+ on my car , 463 rwhp 421 rwtq, had it all day at VIR today, over a hundred high stress miles on it not a bit of slip How did you see sparks from a sealed bell housing ?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 3
From: East Hampton CT
The 3+ uses ceramic and copper friction plates right? Usually sparks are from ferrous metal (iron)....I dont' think copper will spark but I guess its possible. Are you sure this isn't a botched install?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 8,472
Likes: 38
From: Houston TX
St. Jude Donor '11
Originally Posted by Billdog350
Tell me more about your RAM clutch!
Went with a C5 Z06 clutch after that. Been working OK except for the pedal to the floor but regular clutch fluid changes resolve that. Adding the long tubes may have pushed it past it's limit though.
Bummer to hear that about the SPEC 3+. I was beginning to lean towards it after some good press.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
Originally Posted by AMERICAN_HP
First off, it could be a few things. NOT just the fact that the clutch was bad. If there was sparks, then is doesnt sound like it was installed right.
Its called RACING...
Its called RACING...
Hey Jeff,
Several clutches (including yours) will spark when launched hard through the two holes on the bottom of the bell housing. I guess due to the types of materials used. I have seen that several times before on clutches that worked great for a long time afterwards. (although Spec has not worked for us either)
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 3
From: East Hampton CT
I still haven't heard enough to convince me that the Spec III+ is not the best bang for your buck out there in the ~500rwhp/tq range. Higher than that and you need Cartek or Textrailia....but 500hp/tq or lower sounds like the Spec III+ (current issue aside) is one of the top contenders. EVERYONE here has had issues with tons of different brands...I know personally a friend who had serious mcleod twin disk issues, including the disks ruining his tranny input shaft! The cartek and textrailia are supposedly not good daily driver clutches.....
The topic starter says he has a LS7 motor...so we know he has at least 500 hp at the crank....plus GOBS of torque...my 347 won't even be close.
The topic starter says he has a LS7 motor...so we know he has at least 500 hp at the crank....plus GOBS of torque...my 347 won't even be close.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Aguila AZ
I'm with Phil on the RAM clutches... I have installed half a dozen with no problems. I run a RAM 980 in my 421 LS2 road race car (500rwhp) and I pound on it session after session with no problems.
Shirl Dickey
SD Racing Enterprises
Aguila, AZ
Shirl Dickey
SD Racing Enterprises
Aguila, AZ
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore Maryland
Just got off the phone from a represenative from spec. I told him what happened exactly he told me "that he has seen this before." He told me that while trying to do a brake standing burnout , that the brakes are actualy putting so much load on the clutch that it causes it to get so hot that it slips. I have never heard of a clutch doing this however he said it was because of the ceramic metallic disk that it is made out of. The 3+ does not like excessive heat or it cannot with stand it. He told me to either do a rolling burnout up to the tree, or to invest in a line lock. I was promised that this should get rid of my problems. We'll see friday im not giong to order a line lock yet ill try the rolling the burn out and see what happens. Does this make sense to any of you?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 3
From: East Hampton CT
Makes total sense. My stock clutch would NOT withstand any attempt at a brake torque (like my 1994 Z28 would). A rolling burnout is your best bet on ANY C5 since the rear brakes are MUCH more aggressive than other rwd muscle cars. Friends and I have tried unsuccessfully to do brake torques on our C5's and smoked clutches every time. One friend did it this past weekend at Lebanon Valley track with his 413rwhp C5. Line lock it or just do a rolling burnout...I wonder how many smoked or burnt clutches are a result of people trying to do brake torques like you and I? I'm guessing 70% or more.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Baltimore Maryland
Originally Posted by Billdog350
Makes total sense. My stock clutch would NOT withstand any attempt at a brake torque (like my 1994 Z28 would). A rolling burnout is your best bet on ANY C5 since the rear brakes are MUCH more aggressive than other rwd muscle cars. Friends and I have tried unsuccessfully to do brake torques on our C5's and smoked clutches every time. One friend did it this past weekend at Lebanon Valley track with his 413rwhp C5. Line lock it or just do a rolling burnout...I wonder how many smoked or burnt clutches are a result of people trying to do brake torques like you and I? I'm guessing 70% or more.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Evansville IN
I have several hard launching passes on my Spec V with no problems at all. I destroyed a Spec 3+ in a few thousand miles and about 20+ passes at the track, same with the RPS clutch they both lasted about the same amount of time.
I would not buy anything from Spec other than their Stage 5 clutch. Its noisy, but it does hold the power.
I would not buy anything from Spec other than their Stage 5 clutch. Its noisy, but it does hold the power.
Last edited by mkern1; Oct 16, 2006 at 03:22 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 2
I have had a spec 3 for well over 40K miles with never a problem and well over 500rwtq. The key to any clutch regardless of brand is.....................INSTALLATION. 
I have seen lots of botched clutch jobs that the clutch gets blamed for when in fact it's the installation that is the problem.
I have seen lots of botched clutch jobs that the clutch gets blamed for when in fact it's the installation that is the problem.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Baltimore Maryland
Originally Posted by gorillavet
I have had a spec 3 for well over 40K miles with never a problem and well over 500rwtq. The key to any clutch regardless of brand is.....................INSTALLATION. I have seen lots of botched clutch jobs that the clutch gets blamed for when in fact it's the installation that is the problem.
I have seen lots of botched clutch jobs that the clutch gets blamed for when in fact it's the installation that is the problem.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,811
Likes: 2
From: Simpsonville SC
Ive done many clutchs too. So what exactly is the bad install? Cant really figure it out, cause if you dont have everything lined up it wont go in. Just curious, so I'll triple check myself on the next install. Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Evansville IN
Originally Posted by happa
Ive done many clutchs too. So what exactly is the bad install? Cant really figure it out, cause if you dont have everything lined up it wont go in. Just curious, so I'll triple check myself on the next install. Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,799
Likes: 11
From: dudley MA
ill through in my 2 cents. i dont even have close the power you guys have but i have the spec 3 and it doesnt slip at all. it does however chatter sometimes shaking the whole car when im slipping it from a light or in a parking lot which blows. pat
