Spec clutch, how do I drive this thing!?

[RazorbackMustang]

Just got my new stage 3 Spec installed last night. This is my first bout with a non-stock clutch. How the hell do you drive this thing? I feel like I'm going to shake the car to pieces!

[Randy Stinchcomb]

...atleast nothing constructive or positive to say about spec clutches

maybe give it some break-in time, a few "hard launches" might help

[SteveL1994]

Like this: http://videos.streetfire.net/video/D...art_147336.htm

[gnats02]

I put a Spec 2 in to mine and had the same problem. Everyone said it' ll get better, but after a week I said screw this. I went to Baltimore to get a stocker from Randy.

[therooster]

why stage 3 there really isnt any reason unless your 500rwhp+

[burningtire]

Originally Posted by therooster

why stage 3 there really isnt any reason unless your 500rwhp+

Agreed.

More is not always better.

Alot of the times as you step up in clutch strength you lose driveability compared to something lesser.

My buddy had a bolt on/cammed 5.0 with a rediculous clutch in it. It was on/off and no inbetween.

[chopper1]

I don't think the stage three clutches have the "marcel" spring between the clutch plates.This makes the clutch engage solidly as soon as it contacts the flywheel.
A PITA for a daily driver,OK for a track car where the clutch slipping duty can be transfered to the rear tires.

[RazorbackMustang]

Originally Posted by therooster

why stage 3 there really isnt any reason unless your 500rwhp+

Planning for the future. It's an 11:1 298ci stroker with fox lake heads, vt cams, and next year it'll have a 200 shot of nitrous on it.

I tried the "stock type" route. Had the stock disc relined with kevlar lining in a puck style, it didn't hold up too well. I made 5 runs at the strip (no nitrous) and I had some bad burnt clutch smell at the top end every time, which is what I'm attributing my crappy times to. The clutch had 1k miles on it too, it just couldn't hold.

[RazorbackMustang]

In retrospect, I wish I had sprung for the 3+, but at $160 more, I am flat out of money. I already shot away $190 on the other clutch that didn't work out, then $240 for install because I'm tired of being under the damn car right now. I just didn't have the dough. Ah well, hindsight is 20/20 right? I'll give this one a shot for now. Maybe I can figure it out, I don't drive the car that much around town, mostly to and from the track (120 miles away). If I just can't stand it, I'll go another route.

Thanks guys!

[RazorbackMustang]

Originally Posted by Randy Stinchcomb

...atleast nothing constructive or positive to say about spec clutches

maybe give it some break-in time, a few "hard launches" might help

I'm sure it'll loosen up a bit, I've only put about 10 miles on it so far. As far as nothing contructive about Spec, I didn't know where else to go. I've heard terrible things about Centerforce and King Cobras. I tried the reworked stock approach, that was a waste of money. I would have loved to get one of those nice McLeod clutches....but $1200!!! Good grief!

[RazorbackMustang]

Curse the corral double post gremlin!

[Goodlife]

Wait till it breaks in. Give it some time.

[swinerton]

Why would you install a stage 3? Half the poeple on this board could barely utilize the holding power of a stage 2.

Hate seeing people jumping on the bigger is always better bandwagon around here..... Bless their souls.

[myersmij79]

I have a spec stage 3 clutch in my car too and it got a little better with some miles. its not going to be a clutch that u can drive like a stocker though no matter what. it still chatters a little but i only have about 60 miles on it. its a very aggressive clutch and thats part of it

mike

[therooster]

I have a stage 2 and it was a little rough for the break in, but now a year later it drives like the stock clutch

[hunter1600]

I HAVE THE SAME CLUTCH IN MY 96 GT WITH BILLET FLYWHELL IT TOOK ABOUT 1000 MILES BEFORE IT STARTED TO CALM DOWN ON THE VIBRATION. I NOW HAVE ABOUT 15000 ON IT AND WITH ABOUT 300RWHP NOW THE CLUTCH DOESN'T VIBRATE, BUT BEFORE I GOT TO THAT POWER IT WAS CRAZY ON TAKE OFF. THE BEST THING TO DO IS JUST RELEASE THE CLUTCH QUICKLY AND GO OR RELEASE IT VERY SLOWLY YOU CAN NOT DRIVE IT LIKE A STOCK CLUTCH IT IS MADE FOR THE STRIP NOT REALLY EVERDAY DRIVING BUT IT DOES GRIP LIKE CRAZY NEVER HAD IT SLIP ON ME EVEN WHEN I SPRAY 125 WET

[swinerton]

Originally Posted by myersmij79

I have a spec stage 3 clutch in my car too and it got a little better with some miles. its not going to be a clutch that u can drive like a stocker though no matter what. it still chatters a little but i only have about 60 miles on it. its a very aggressive clutch and thats part of it

mike

Now here's a car (Mike's) that would mostly utilize a stage 3.

[mustanginky]

i have a spec 3 and i like it personally. it's on a blown 2000 GT. at first i hated it, but gave it some time and now it's fine for me anyways.

[2kSilverSteed]

gas, if you gas more, the shuttering will be less harsh. i had a full puck clutch, it was weird. mine would shutter going into 4th lol. i ended up putting a spec stage 2+ on the car, and i love it. it makes a #### load of noise, but the pressure is great, and grabs very well.

[SonicBlue03GT]

I've got a stage 3 on my blown 03' GT and I am pretty happy with it. I've had it in for probably 7500 miles now and it still does chatter on take offs, but it is better and I am used to it now. My clutch engages almost at the very top of the pedal and the damn thing is like a light switch... on or off... The first day I got my car back I felt like I had never driven a stick before lol.. the car was buckin and shakin but give it some time man you will get used to it. Seat time is your friend.

[RazorbackMustang]

It seems like the clutch gets better when its warm. Took it to the movies last night and put about 25 miles on it around town. The first few takes offs after it's been sitting are pretty chattery(?) but after that it smooths out pretty well. It seems to just be getting better with more mileage on it, so I think it's going to be ok. Thanks for all the responses guys!

[myersmij79]

Originally Posted by swinerton

Now here's a car (Mike's) that would mostly utilize a stage 3.

now if i can just get the tune right! lol

mike

[swinerton]

Originally Posted by myersmij79

now if i can just get the tune right! lol

mike

I still wouldn't line up with you, even if you were runing an 8:1 AFR, and 5* of timing.

[ntosvo]

I was having some issues like you are talking about. I called SPEC and they told me to find a road and do 5-7, 5 grand launches. On the 4th one, I was good to go.

Chad

[RazorbackMustang]

Originally Posted by ntosvo

I was having some issues like you are talking about. I called SPEC and they told me to find a road and do 5-7, 5 grand launches. On the 4th one, I was good to go.

Chad

Really? The paper that came with it said not to do any speed shifting or drag launches until you have 500 miles of around town driving on it. No matter, drove it to work today, it just keeps getting better and better. Hardly any chatter today. Just the first take off when the clutch is cold.

[Zinc01]

Break it in for 500 miles of stop and go driving. Excessive highway miles don't count. Once you get used to it, there is absolutely no problem driving in traffic. Granted, my car is only a sunny day driver/racer, but the pedal effort isn't really that bad and chattering is non-existent.

Unlike most clutches, this one will not slip at all. This can put more load on the transmission, but no problems after many powershifted passes here.

[ntosvo]

I had about 200-280 miles on the clutch when I called SPEC. The tech told me to do that and it wouldn't be a problem. It goes against everything you hear, but if I remember he said that you do the break-in because of how clutches were made.

Chad