Manual Transmission T56 | T5 | MN12 | Clutches | Hydraulics | Shifters

Spec Stage 3

Old 02-11-2008, 07:14 AM
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Default Spec Stage 3

I see a few of these clutches in the fastest 6-speed list in the 10's... How does this clutch feel/sound? Do you NEED to upgrade the hydraulics?
Old 02-11-2008, 08:27 AM
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I don't think you NEED to upgrade hydraulics, but it is 100% recommended by everyone eveywhere.

It is a very strong pedal feel (requires a lot of power over stock and a bit more than other similarly rated clutches from my experience). It holds power very well, if it lasts, and can be hotlapped at the track without issue. I haven't had great experiences with multiple Spec clutches in terms of lasting very long, so I would recommend looking at other options, but that's just me (and my brother, and a couple friends...).
Old 02-11-2008, 12:29 PM
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upgrade everything while you have the transmission out. save yourself time/money/headaches down the road.
Old 02-11-2008, 12:55 PM
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I'm one of those "it never happens to me" people. Well, it happened to me. Buy the damn hydraulics.
Old 02-11-2008, 03:39 PM
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Are people still having issues with the spec's tearing cars in half? Ive read quite a few threads here latley about vettes getting totaled when the spec comes apart.
Old 02-11-2008, 03:59 PM
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Our average raced 3+ lasts about 20-25k miles.All the problems I see just make me surprised because we don't see it personally.

As for the blown up SPECS.Yes there was a few and for some reason I think they were all friends which is kind of wierd. I've pulled a few blown clutches and they weren't SPECs but other populer brands.So it happens to all clutches and are ussually caused from a slipping clutch that overheated-bad.
If you race a scattershield should be used.
Old 02-11-2008, 04:53 PM
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Fst...what kind of power are you making? Let me know and I will be happy to provide recomendations. Thanks!
Old 02-11-2008, 10:54 PM
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I ran a Spec 2 for over 40,000 miles no problems other than having to have it balanced by a local shop. Took it out and put a Spec 5 in since I was going with a 408. I had it balanced locally no problems 5,000-5,500 clutch dumps. They have my business as long as they keep putting out good product. Many clutches are installed by people who don't know what they're doing, then they complain the clutch is fkd up, when they installed it wrong.
Old 02-12-2008, 09:33 AM
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Originally Posted by bigdsz
I ran a Spec 2 for over 40,000 miles no problems other than having to have it balanced by a local shop. Took it out and put a Spec 5 in since I was going with a 408. I had it balanced locally no problems 5,000-5,500 clutch dumps. They have my business as long as they keep putting out good product. Many clutches are installed by people who don't know what they're doing, then they complain the clutch is fkd up, when they installed it wrong.
I'm sure that's the case with many of them, but both of mine and both of my brother's Specs were installed by different ASE-certified mechanics at a Chevy dealership, just FYI. And my buddy's Stage 5 was installed at one of the top LS1 shops in New England (exclusively LS1) and the disk shattered into about 6 pieces with him making well under the rated maximum power/torque.

Sometimes it's improper installation, sometimes it's just not a quality product. I'm sure it's a case by case situation going both ways.
Old 02-12-2008, 10:14 AM
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Keep in mind that excessive vibration from either of the following can lead to reduced life and greater potential for disc issues: excessive input-shaft play, bad motor or trans mounts, a bad pilot bearing, excessive heat, excessive shock to the drivetrain, etc... Discs don't just randomly decide to come apart on their own. Realize that I am not attempting to argue with you about this...I just want to make sure that folks know the potential causes for issues of this nature so they can be more adept at trouble-shooting and assessing their own issues.
Old 02-12-2008, 12:40 PM
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Pewter, Spec probably sells more clutches than than all the other mfrs combined for LS1's, so there obviously would be a higher failure rate that you would hear about. All I know is my stage 5 has taken horrible abuse and owes me nothing. The 3+ from what I understand is a great product. When my stage 5 goes if I have the $ I'd like to go with their new dual disk, although it seems over priced.
Old 02-12-2008, 01:23 PM
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Hey Big...let me know when you are ready to go twin-disc...I always try to help out return customers. BTW...thanks for the support. To give you and everyone else an idea of the number of LS clutch kits we have sold over the years...lets just say that it's north of 17,000 unit. That being the case, I would say that you above statements are pretty realistic! Let me know if you guys have any further questions. Thanks!
Old 02-12-2008, 02:08 PM
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I have a friend with a Spec3 clutch and he hasn't had a problem out of it at all. Except for the chattering during the break in period..
Old 02-12-2008, 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by bjamick
I have a friend with a Spec3 clutch and he hasn't had a problem out of it at all. Except for the chattering during the break in period..
That is what I was going to tell the OP. The chatter is horrible at first, but once it breaks in it's great. I also have the spec3 going on a year now and now problems so far.
Old 02-14-2008, 10:46 AM
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Agreed Chatter is BAD when its new. When I was a bolt on only car the spec held up great but its been maybe 2 months since I went heads cam and my Spec stage 3 is TOAST. Guess it couldnt keep up with the extra power.
Old 05-16-2009, 06:34 PM
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My Spec 3 makes alot of noise when leaving from a stop, it sqeals pretty loud. Is this normal, does it happen to everyone with this clutch? My clutch is is broken in properly and has about 1,500miles on it. Other then that it is great, but im suprised i dont read anything about the noise it makes while DDing it.
Old 05-16-2009, 09:32 PM
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Another happy spec 3+ customer
Old 05-16-2009, 09:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Hard Core Z28
Another happy spec 3+ customer
it's not bad I just want to see of it's normal and it's not a 3 plus. It's a 3
Old 05-16-2009, 09:40 PM
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I just had a spec 3+ installed in my zo6 along with a tick adj master and it is fantastic ,no chatter at all
Old 05-16-2009, 10:00 PM
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But this isn't chatter... When I first got the clutch installed it would make noise and just grab super hard out of no where which is chatter.... now it's broken in and drives great but constently makes this noise when I take off like a sqealing, pretty loud I hear it echo off cars that are next to me.

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