tcossair

iTrader: (2)

Hey all,

I'm looking to buy my first LS1 car (trans am) and the one I'm probably getting has been modified with a spec stage 3 clutch and "upgraded" hydraulics.

Just curious how bad of a daily driver this might be? I almost do entirely freeway miles, very little city bumper to bumper. I used to drive a 5.0 mustang 100 miles a day, so I'm not expecting a luxury car here. :-)

I've heard these clutches are only good for <25k miles, and then need a new disc. Any ideas how much is it to replace that each time?

I suppose if it annoyed me enough I'd just downgrade to a lower stage clutch.

Thanks!

blkbird_WS-6

iTrader: (14)

SPEC 3=Junk IMO.

Been there, done that. Had a SPEC 3 in my car for 10 weeks before it took a **** on me.

Shamson5.7

iTrader: (5)

Spec 3 here for about16k miles no problems yet. Definately stiffer than stock but in NO WAY is it unbearable. Feels nice and tight.

JoeyAnderson

iTrader: (20)

The SPEC3 will be great for a daily driver unless you are just a pansy. It's likely the most popular clutch available for these cars.

TroubledWine3

iTrader: (3)

I love my SPEC 3 and I'd rather drive it than the stock clutch any day of the week. It feels awesome to actually feel the clutch. About 250 city miles so far and to be honest, the thing hardly chattered from the first mile and doesn't chatter at all now, unless I drop the clutch without balancing the gas. Absolutely daily driveable.

tcossair

iTrader: (2)

LOL, that made my morning. Thanks for the info guys. Sounds like its not all that different from my old 5.0 mustang where it was alot more gas balancing than a normal car. And as my brother stated last night, "the way you drive it won't be a problem."

I guess the only issue is the clutching wearing faster than an OEM. Any estimates to how much that job will cost when it happens and how often? I've heard somewhere around every 25k miles for a ceramic and about $500 for a clutch job plus parts.

black01_WS6

iTrader: (13)

about every 25,000 and you can get the clutch put in for around 300 or so. When it does go you could look into the spec 3+ as it is a full face disc not puck style= more streetable.

Starz T/A 17

iTrader: (6)

I just put one it off the begining their was ALOT of chatter but it seems to be going away overall its a sweet clutch grabs really well

cantdrv65

iTrader: (3)

Get the 3+....Alot better clutch than the reg 3..

Mr. Bungle

iTrader: (13)

I loved my stage 3. I have a stage 5 now and love it even better.

orangeapeel

iTrader: (18)

Love my Spec 3. I think that most people that have issues were too eager when they broke it in and it was not properly done.

cyphur

iTrader: (10)

I broke mine in properly, and I still had some chatter from time to time. Now that its been pulled and replaced I'm having even more issues. Nothing I can't live with but am currently looking into the LS7 setup when my 3 finally takes a **** on me.

peterock98

iTrader: (25)

Spec is hit and miss if you get a good one you'll be ok. I had a specIII and swiched to to a cartek level 5 with an adjustable master.So far so good.

Vertigo

iTrader: (1)

The Spec III is hit and miss and I guess I was one of the lucky ones. I was VERY careful to break it in properly as I belive this is the key along with using a brand new flywheel or one that has not been turned before. During the first 1k miles or so i did get slight / minimal chatter but after 2K miles of driving it and i am not exaggerating....I and none of my friends could ever tell there was an aftermarket clutch in there. The pedel feels like its maybe 2 - 5lbs heavier when you press it down which is nothing for you leg in fact i really couldn't tell unless i paid real close attention. I have been hearing many good things on the LS7 set up. Its a toss up but i really liked my spec III when i had it and whatever you do do not go lower than a III as i do not feel its any better than stock in the long run. Good luck

xaon

iTrader: (12)

My first spec 3 carbon lasted 35k miles of street abuse and many trips to the track. When it finally started slipping I replaced it with a spec 3i. So far so good. As someone else said, the spec 3 is easily the most popular aftermarket clutch for the f-bodies and there are TONS of them out there on the street.

With that said, when I switched from the stock 3.42 gears to a set of 4.10's (in a 9") it made a WORLD of difference on the amount of clutch chatter and ease of driving around town. I recently sold my 9" and put in a stock 3.23 geared rear end and I can honestly say it's a pretty big difference switching back to the high gears... i will most likely be going back to a set of 4.10's in the near future.

SHINER

iTrader: (18)

ya i just bought a spec 3 off a guy in ebay for $103.77 and it only had 3600 miles on it im really looking forward to putting it in, i heard that u either love them or you hate them, and i know alot of ppl who love em

sho-me speed

iTrader: (55)

Great luck with mine but I got the upgraded hydraulics, billet flywheel also.

mike c.

iTrader: (1)

my spec st3 lasted 2,000mi,just like my centerforce,z06 and two rams. the spec 3 was nice on the street and held great at the track. i'll be adding a spec st3 + next week. no matter what i can't keep a clutch longer then 2,000mi.

JacobK

iTrader: (10)

im on my 2nd Stage 3 right now and its starting to slip now..hasnt even been in a year, with no track passes and some occasional spirited driving. Im done with Spec though and im going to be going with the LS7 clutch now

badpewter-z

iTrader: (4)

a little over 25k on my daily driven stage 3 here . the break in was torture not to beat on the car but i did it . also 100+ passes on et streets . still feels great no signs of slipping at all . only time there was chatter was during break in . pedal pressure is near stock and Nothing like the cable setup on mustangs. i dont think you have anything to worry about