I'm testing my gforce tranny on my 2rotor before ultimately installing 3 rotor. I broke 2 disks in a short time- stage 3+. Low boost and no hard launching. Anyway, the discks delaminated, rivots break. I'm going dual disk from clutch masters . Has anyone else had problems with spec. Btw, same thing happened on my mustang cobra which is a loww 11 sec car. I know my local mustang shop who turned me on to spec qwit using them a few years back. And btw the clutch was great with nice streetability all the way up until it broke. I think i may be exceeding the heat capability of the disk as I go out for 45min-1hr at a time for spirited driving.

 

Great discussion! One of the reasons I've pretty much ditched this forum............

 

We've had great results with the spec stage 3+ I had one customer who will chime in here for sure explaining he had issues not holding but he was the only one of the many sold. We've used them on LS1,2's 13B's The stage 3+ is nice for those wanting stock feel, it's almost too stock feeling for me. Have you contacted spec?

~S~

 

You posted this thread less than one full day ago. A little patience goes a long way...... so does searching . There's a recent thread about Spec vs ACT clutches, and Spec didn't look very promising.

Personally, I'm an Exedy/ACT guy. I ran a Spec sprung 6 puck for years on a 400+ rwhp car but got rid of it b/c I didn't like the driveability aspect of it.

 

How so?? Just curious.

~S~

 

Very light pedal pressure was the primary reason. It also grabbed very vaguely and very suddenly, but that's to be expected of a 6 puck, sprung or not. I now am running an Exedy cerametallic twin disc (admittedly a totally different price point) and absolutely love it. Enjoy driving my FD much more

 

I thought so, the pedal is very light, very stock feeling and to some it's too stock feeling. That and being grabby makes them a bit odd in that they are grabby like stiffer clutches but have a soft feel to them. I used to be a big fan of the Exedy twin discs myself, sold a ton of those as well.

~S~

 

I've never had a Spec Stage 3 on a personal car but I've had a couple friends run their stage 3 on piston engines (LS1, 6G72) and I wasn't impressed with the pedal feel. And even for a puck clutch the longevity isn't the best

 

Stage 3 or stage 3+ just curious as the stage 3+ is softer for sure.

~S~

 

SPEC= 110% dog ****. Need I say more? Can they make a good product, I am sure they can and have. I am sure I am just one of the unlucky people that recieved a faulty product. My problem was after the faulty product they had no customer service to warranty there product. Also not too mention when I pulled the flywheel that after 1200 or so miles my flywheel was also toast. It ate the flywheel so bad that turning it was not an option.


Sean is in bed with SPEC or just likes the name.


So my ACT clutch kit had issues a few weeks back. I sent the kit in with the old burnt disks I had. Guess what, they didnt even ask for reciepts, just repucked 3 disks and redid my pplate and offered to do my flywheel also.


ACT= WIN!!!!!!!!

 

i've had two spec clutches, all two have had major problems. 1st clutch, spec stage5, (the sintered iron disc) had it sent with a rotating assembly for a ej20 to be balanced. machine shop here in central florida(very reputable) said it was prob the worst balanced clutch they had ever seen. imagine what that clutch would have done if left unbalanced, prob would have ended up destroy a $4000 stoker kit.

2nd clutch was a stage3 in a sr20det, it pretty much grenaded itself within 1000 miles. the springs inside the clutch disc ruptured outta of it and destroyed the entire pp and flywheel, wasn't even beaten on was still breaking in the motor.

now for my fc's i've always ran twin disc's and have been completely satisfyed with them and never even thought of going with a different clutch. they are shitty to drive in traffic but well worth the money

 

I installed a Spec stage 3+ on my buddy's ~320 rwhp Ka-t a few years back...it lasted less than 5k miles of gentle driving. (Buddy broke it in properly and drives like a grandma all the time)

Now on my ~400 rwhp FC I've got the basic ACT street and strip full faced clutch and it's lasted me 10k miles already and doesn't even slip. And I abuse the hell out of my car every time I drive it.

I'll never use anything other than ACT ever again.

 

Seriously?? Yer an ***...



I sell Spec, ACT, Exedy, OS, textralia, of all of those ACT has failed more than any... and with out a doubt I'm sure I've had more clutches and installs go through my hands than anyone else in this thread. Do I tell people don't buy the ACT because of it?? No. Why? Because it's a numbers game I've sold more of them than any other so it's more likely that I'll come across more issues. Most clutch issues are not the clutch, most are improper break in and or install and this goes with any manufacturer. If the stuff literally is poorly manufactured they should take care of it. If they don't then there is a reason for having a issue. What I do is ask my customers what they are after and then I listen and make a good selection. If they want low pedal effort you can't come close to textralia followed by Spec, if they want something that has good feel and don't mind some pedal pressure I tell them go with the 6 puck sprung ACT. If they don't mind the expense I suggest the twin discs. What irritates me is when customers call asking for advice and I give them all the options and they say they read Spec clutches are junk on this forum and then I have to go through a whole bullshit speech that shouldn't be needed. I've sold too many without issue and can point to more ACT failures. I drove around for I don't know how long on a 6 puck unsprung ACT daily and loved it. I switched to it after two Street/strips failed on me in a row, they just wouldn't hold and I go way overboard on breaking in my clutches every time. I've had zero issue with the twin discs expect for parts availability for rebuilds at times, though some people just don't want to spend $1500 on a clutch. That's it, not "in bed" with anybody didn't even try and sell anything. Was just responding to posts is all.


~S~

 

spec has had major failures in many different cars.

evo guys wouldnt take their clutches if they were free
ls1 crew its hit or miss .. mostly a miss unless you run aftermarket hydraulics
there discs dont last unless you drive them like THE MAN.


my fd ran on spec clutches didnt last for long.

i would go for an act over spec all day.

i steer clear of spec from now on. ive seen to many issues with spec lately

 

I was kidding.. so chill on the name calling! You knew I was going to post up when I saw this thread...


I am sure all clutch brands have someone or another pissed and also others that swear by them. All I can post up is my experience with both companies. If SPEC would have handled the situation correctly then I would have had no issue with them. I have later learned that I was one of the first if not the first to run the 3+ in an FD. Also read later were some of the early models had issues. All they offered was to rebuild it at my dime.

ACT has been more than helpful with me and the multiply disk's/ PPlates I have been thru of there's. As I posted above I just sent back 3 disks and 1 plate that they repucked and went over the plate at zero cost to me and never asked were or when I purchased them. They even sent me new puck material that will be available soon but currently only used by there sponsored cars.

 

Hello Sir just CURIOUSwhat ACT ARE YOU RUNNING TO HANDLE THAT POWER?

IM CURRENTLY RUNNING A SPEC STAGE 3+ ON MY GT42 FD WE ARE ON THE MID 500 HP AND SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE THE CLUTCH SLIPS A BIT.. WE HAVE A EXEDY TWIN CARBON ON HOLD BUT I DONT KNOW IF THAT WILL BE AN XCESS MAYBE I WILL SELL IT IN ORDER TO BUY A CHEAPER ACT BUT DONT KNOW WHAT ACT CAN HANDLE 600HP+.

SO FAR THE SPEC HAS DONE THE JOB I DONT HAVE ANY COMPLAIN... I BREAK IN THE CLUCTH PROPERLY SO FAR SO GOOD.

 

I have used a spec clucth also. Its a nice stock feel. But I would not but another one. One day I was driving on the street and i launched the car, I went to go into second gear and I could not go into gear. I got the car home and I could not remove the disk from the flywheel. It was stuck onto it. I had to use a pry bar to remove it. So I went back to what I know works. ACT. no problems yet. street or track. Just my experience, thou.

 

I currently run act xtreme plate with solid 6 puck. Disk last about 1/2 a season racing. Say 30 or so passes. 6 pucks produce heat no matter what brand and after awhile you while have to replace it. Sintered iron does better as it will allow some slip, also after it cools its back to normal. Problem is trying to shift it at high rpms on a stock tranny. This maybe my next setup if ACT will make me a light weight one like they did for another I know.

 

Iv used a Spec stage 3+ pluse and and a twin plate variation, the stage 3 drove just like a stock car no problems, that was with 465 rwh and an r85 turbo. Nothing bad to say about the stage 3+. My twin plate now, a total different animal, very heavy clutch pedal but the bite isn’t bad!

 

My Spec clutch shattered in the middle of 4th gear at the track, and took out many parts in my engine compartment, and cracked the rear plate on my engine.

IMO - they suck. Stick with A.C.T.

here's a link to the thread on Kramer ...

The blowup begins on page 2. It was a real nasty experience

 

Wow, thanks guys for the input. Sorry I was a dick. This confirms my feeling. More than anything ,spec won't warranty the product. They just say it is your fault, I'm ditching them and suggest anyone be wary of them. I'm just glad I'm testing my gforce on the 2 rotor. If this was happening on my 3 rotor I'd be bustin a cap.

 

I'm running a spec stage2+ on my 1.9tdi (yes it's a diesel), it's the same clutch as for a vw 1.8T 6 speed, 240mm disc, and until now it's going quite strong, the only complain I have is that I have to burry the pedal in the floor in order to be able to shift, when it has got some beating I hardly can stay in first gear without pressing the brake pedal or the car would just crawl forward like an automatic would do.. but it's holding fine up to 620Nm

 

Got my clutchmasters twin disk today will install break in and let you guys know. This thread will be around for while.......

 

Update, I've had the clutch in for a few weeks and broke it in. Then did some country fun. Took it to the drags. No problems. Great feel but does engage agressively as you would expect. I'm VERY happy and will suggest clutch masters to all. They are expensive but worth it. Again, it was a dual disc 8.5"
with the copper ceramic discs. The kevlar would be perfect for high hp street apps. Also, the gforce rocks, clutchless smooth shifting=