that spec clutch kit?, how do u like urs? Options

[urbandork]

Ive been reading up on that spec clutch kit for 3s swapers using a 5s tranny and i was wondering how you guys like it? and also if ur using a 2nd or 3rd stage? and with a 3rd gen 3s i should be using a 2nd or 3rd stage?

doc tweak says

"The combo that most people use is, 3S flywheel, 3S pressure plate, and either a 5S disc or a 3S disc splined for the 5S. Since the only company that makes the 5s splined 3s disc is SPEC, and they haven't been doing that well for us lately, and we have a 5S flywheel (which bolts to the 3S perfectly), the logical solution is to use a high performance 5S clutch kit. This will also simplify things down the road if and when the clutch needs to be replaced again.

By the way, the difference in the total outside diameter between the 5S and 3S clutch discs is barely 1/4". The whole issue of using a 3S disc is highly overrated. I'm actually considering using the 5S flywheel and a good stage 2 or stage 3 clutch kit on ALL my swaps from now on.

-Doc"

i had thought about doing this too.

o yeah and teh 245hp that the 3rd gen is speced at is at teh crank right

This post has been edited by urbandork: Sep 18, 2006 - 5:00 PM

[celicast3sgte]

ask itchy how he feels about SPEC.

[lagos]

one thing i learned... forget about brand names. one brands stange 1 clutch might suck, but their stage 10 is better then anything on earth.

i have a stage 3 spec. i had it for over a year now. i love the pedal feel and how well it grabs and holds the power. only issue i noticed is that sometimes ill hear a slight rattle at idle that goes away when i press the clutch, but i also had the same noise when i had the ACT in there. other then that its been good to me.

[quicknstyle]

most everyone who has problems wih it have had problems with the stage 2, stage 3 has yet to see any major defects to my knowlege

[x_itchy_b_x]

im allll set with ever buying another spec clutch. They shouldnt just break with no symptons and being rated to hold twice the power your actually putting to them.
im going back to ACT.

[elvasoshexai]

hm damn.. i was about to get a spec stage2 clutch too... i guess i'll hold off

[urbandork]

yeah ive read all the post from those other threads and thats the reason why i figured id ask the question direct.

how many ppl are using a stage 3 from spec other then lagos

[lagos]

defgeph has one too

its also very popular on mr2oc.com

[bufferdan]

There have been multiple spec3's breaking also...search mr2oc... I have a spec stg3 and had it for about a year now but seeing the problems with them comming apart i would not buy one again.

[Rjb23]

I have a spec stage 1 but its for a mr2 so its rated at 390 lbs of tq. I haven't had any trouble out of it so far and have had it for almost a year.

[zipstrips]

i am very happy with my Spec clutch, awesome pedal feel. i have been a long time ACT clutch user but i am much happier with the feel of the spec. i used/using the ACT in my SR20, 7afe, my brothers 420a, & drove ACT's in a VR6 aswell. not to dis ACT b/c they make an awesome clutch (and i do and will continue to buy ACT) but my Spec has the best pedal feel. (note this is my only personal use with spec also). so hats off to the spec company. they have good customer service as well. i called to order my 3s kit and it was made up and shipped promptly. no issues at all with my experience with the company and product.

[jcbass7]

i have a spec stage two, haven't used it yet since the swap isn't done so we shall see how it is, but if you call spec and talk to justin he will help you set up the parts you need. I posted a thread with the actual part number but i can't find it at the moment.

I took Art's recommendation on this part and i have confidence that i will not be dissapointed.

[phattyduck]

My Spec stage 2 started slipping my second time down the drag strip with a stock (ok, intake and exhaust) 3rd gen 3s-gte. Properly broken in and all (held all the power on the dyno - 269hp!). I'm hoping I can just pop in a 6-puck from either ACT or Clutchnet (I can get the Clutchnet stuff cheap) and get back on the road... I haven't checked what shape my flywheel and pressure plate are in yet though.

-Charlie

[nik]

im allll set with ever buying another spec clutch. They shouldnt just break with no symptons and being rated to hold twice the power your actually putting to them.
im going back to ACT.

I personally wouldnt use ACT

[hitcachi]

isnt manny using an ACT with no problems thus far? I think that says something.

[urbandork]

im thinking about going with a 5sfte clutch and a light weight flywheel.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/F1-RACING-S...sspagenameZWDVW

and a fidanza alluminum flywheel. or a stock one

with a 6 pluck 5s clutch and an alluminum flywheel what kind of clutch feel and grab would i see?

[bigal004321]

6 pucks are not good for daily driving. the engagement is too harsh

bigal

[nik]

isnt manny using an ACT with no problems thus far? I think that says something.

i threw 300whp at 6 puck and hd plate and it didnt hold very well now i have clutch net clutch thats working x10 better but this is only from my project

6 pucks are not good for daily driving. the engagement is too harsh

bigal

if you get a sprung center there not that bad my car is DD and it drives fine

This post has been edited by nik: Sep 21, 2006 - 2:23 PM

[lagos]

6 pucks are not good for daily driving. the engagement is too harsh

bigal

i have a 6puck. as long as it has springs then you can totally street drive it. it was a little harsh for the first 1-3,000 miles of driving it tho.

[elvasoshexai]

man... i'm so confused now...
@ first i was gonna get a ACT... but then i changed my mind and wanted a SPEC STAGE II... but this thread made me look more @ both company's problems and now... i'm totally confused of what to get... ppl seem to like SPEC more but they seem to be hit or miss

[lagos]

man... i'm so confused now...
@ first i was gonna get a ACT... but then i changed my mind and wanted a SPEC STAGE II... but this thread made me look more @ both company's problems and now... i'm totally confused of what to get... ppl seem to like SPEC more but they seem to be hit or miss

search around even harder and youll find pros and cons to every clutch brand.

[6gsillyca]

Any thought on clutchmaster?

This post has been edited by 6gsillyca: Sep 21, 2006 - 1:33 AM

[urbandork]

im thinking about going with a 5sfte clutch and a light weight flywheel.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/F1-RACING-S...sspagenameZWDVW

and a fidanza alluminum flywheel. or a stock one

with a 6 pluck 5s clutch and an alluminum flywheel what kind of clutch feel and grab would i see?

what do u guys think of this set up?

[lagos]

im thinking about going with a 5sfte clutch and a light weight flywheel.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/F1-RACING-S...sspagenameZWDVW

and a fidanza alluminum flywheel. or a stock one

with a 6 pluck 5s clutch and an alluminum flywheel what kind of clutch feel and grab would i see?

what do u guys think of this set up?

never used it... but 6 puck kits like that normally sell for at least 400$. so i would worry about the quality of that one at that price.

[zipstrips]

Any thought on clutchmaster?

i rather stock over them.

[urbandork]

maybe ill just go with a spec stg 3??????

i dont know what to do?

im thinking about going with a 5sfte clutch and a light weight flywheel.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/F1-RACING-S...sspagenameZWDVW

and a fidanza alluminum flywheel. or a stock one

with a 6 pluck 5s clutch and an alluminum flywheel what kind of clutch feel and grab would i see?

what do u guys think of this set up?

never used it... but 6 puck kits like that normally sell for at least 400$. so i would worry about the quality of that one at that price.

[easternpiro1]

man... i'm so confused now...
@ first i was gonna get a ACT... but then i changed my mind and wanted a SPEC STAGE II... but this thread made me look more @ both company's problems and now... i'm totally confused of what to get... ppl seem to like SPEC more but they seem to be hit or miss

whats wrong with ACT? ive never heard anything bad about them...

[toyotacrazy]

Im about to just use my exedy stock clutch disc with the trd 3sgte pressure plate. I dont see why the clutch would be an issue. Most clutch companies use the same materials, just different pressure plates for increased torque hold. I donno what to do. Im scared to get a racing clutch. I drove a turbo ford festiva and the clutch was a 4 puck full race. It was either launching like on the drag strip or it would stall. This is my daily driver. I dont want to have to launch it in the snow! Ill just try the stock disc and see what happens.

[Fastbird]

We've had a Spec Stage II in since the swap and personally, it's great. No chattering, no rattling or anything, smooth engagement, firm but not too heavy clutch pedal, and will bark third if you bang it. This is my second experience with a Spec, the first being when I put a stage II into one of our 93 Trans Am's last spring, and again, that one is holding up well and I like it a lot too.

I personally feel that a LOT of clutch failures that come about are due to inadequate installation, be it improper alignment, poor torquing pattern on the pressure plate, or non-locktited bolts backing out.

[lagos]

Im about to just use my exedy stock clutch disc with the trd 3sgte pressure plate. I dont see why the clutch would be an issue. Most clutch companies use the same materials, just different pressure plates for increased torque hold. I donno what to do. Im scared to get a racing clutch. I drove a turbo ford festiva and the clutch was a 4 puck full race. It was either launching like on the drag strip or it would stall. This is my daily driver. I dont want to have to launch it in the snow! Ill just try the stock disc and see what happens.

your going to reuse a stock disk that was already in your 5sfe? that will last you a few months at best. do it right and get something upgraded.

never buy a 4 puck or less.. those will be horrible on the street. a spring loaded 6puck is a nice way to go. easy to drive on the street while still has the power to grip. they also sell normal disks made out of kevlar (like the spec stage2) that fastbird is talking about. anything like that will be a good bet (assuming spec has fixed their stage2 issues).

[jgreening]

Any thought on clutchmaster?

Yea, its the most expensive but the best.

[toyotacrazy]

Im about to just use my exedy stock clutch disc with the trd 3sgte pressure plate. I dont see why the clutch would be an issue. Most clutch companies use the same materials, just different pressure plates for increased torque hold. I donno what to do. Im scared to get a racing clutch. I drove a turbo ford festiva and the clutch was a 4 puck full race. It was either launching like on the drag strip or it would stall. This is my daily driver. I dont want to have to launch it in the snow! Ill just try the stock disc and see what happens.

your going to reuse a stock disk that was already in your 5sfe? that will last you a few months at best. do it right and get something upgraded.

never buy a 4 puck or less.. those will be horrible on the street. a spring loaded 6puck is a nice way to go. easy to drive on the street while still has the power to grip. they also sell normal disks made out of kevlar (like the spec stage2) that fastbird is talking about. anything like that will be a good bet (assuming spec has fixed their stage2 issues).

[toyotacrazy]

Well I decided to get the spec stage 2 custom clutch disc for my 3s-gte swap. With this car being my daily driver I dont want any unavoidable problems errupting. Total with shipping was $190.00. Oh well. I just wanted a streetable clutch. ACT wasnt much help. They just pissed me off. Basically they gave me a run around either because I had a custom setup or because I wasnt buying the pressure plate from them. They just seemed to be throwing it in my face that "swaps not as easy as it seems. huh?" . Spec on the other hand was very helpful and worked with my needs. They gave me several options. I'll see how it works in about 2 weeks when I drop this engine in! Thanks for all your input everybody!

This post has been edited by toyotacrazy: Dec 2, 2006 - 11:29 PM