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Spec Stage 3 or what other?

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Old 04-07-2002, 02:08 PM
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Default Spec Stage 3 or what other?

Stock clutch is done on 400rwhp sprayed SS. Car is daily driven, and now visits the track every couple of weeks. Tom at Speed Inc. has recommended the Star clutch, I have heard some very good things and some horror stories...

Opinions?
Experience?

Thanks
Dan
Old 04-07-2002, 02:22 PM
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Default Re: Spec Stage 3 or what other?

this is just my opinion. either get a RAM clutch or get a Cartek clutch. these appear to be the favorites among LS1 drivers. ive heard more good things about these 2 setups than any other clutchs out there. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
Old 04-07-2002, 02:36 PM
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Default Re: Spec Stage 3 or what other?

Ram all the way. I didnt go with Cartek because of their customer service, or lack there of. Get ya a new 6130 disc and 402 PP from Ram and you wil be happy. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
Old 04-07-2002, 03:01 PM
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Default Re: Spec Stage 3 or what other?

I have now heard Ram a couple of time's and all good, but where do you find them at?
Old 04-07-2002, 05:02 PM
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Default Re: Spec Stage 3 or what other?

Rapid Motorsports sells them. THey have the best prices I have found. Talk to Mike. AKA Mikey on the board. They are also a sponsor.
Old 04-07-2002, 07:58 PM
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Default Re: Spec Stage 3 or what other?

you may want to talk to dave at spec, they have a new clutch out, called the gen II that has more clamping force than ram.
Old 04-07-2002, 08:42 PM
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Default Re: Spec Stage 3 or what other?

Star could invent a clutch that held a 2,000,000,000,000,000,000,00 HP, and I still wouldn't buy it. Why? Because they're customer sucks ***. They treated me like complete **** when my Stage 3 clutch blew up, and weren't willing to help me at all. Even had the nerve to raise their voice(Pete) with me. I will never buy anything from Star every again simply because of how I was treated. Sure, they'll be nice to you until your clutch blows to peices, then they aren't nice anymore.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">you may want to talk to dave at spec, they have a new clutch out, called the gen II that has more clamping force than ram.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Ever seen their "lightweight" clutch?? LMAO. It's a PP with holes drilled in it. Very stupid IMO.

Ram is the way to go for sure. McCleod makes an excellent clutch, but they're price isn't very friendly. Ram is cheap, holds the power, and the customer service can't be beat.

Josh
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Old 04-07-2002, 08:55 PM
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Default Re: Spec Stage 3 or what other?

I had the star spec stage 3 kevlar one, it held damn good, its a nice setup... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
Old 04-07-2002, 09:45 PM
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Default Re: Spec Stage 3 or what other?

I have the new GEN II star clutch. Unlike the first gen the clutch is now a little harder to press in. I will let you guys know how it hold up to a good hard launch at the track soon.
Old 04-07-2002, 10:01 PM
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Default Re: Spec Stage 3 or what other?

If you notice I didn't say anything about their product. Just how they treat people. Don't even get me started on how my disk only last 2K miles before it blew to peices <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> .

josh
Old 04-08-2002, 01:56 PM
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Default Re: Spec Stage 3 or what other?

I am running the Ram 402pp and the 6130 disk. I had a Cartek that I went through is about 4 months (my fault) and I did not want to pay 650 for a replacement, so I went with the Ram setup. I got it from Summit for $320 shipped. It seems to be holding up well to 6600 rpm clutch dumps on slicks.

Mark
Old 04-08-2002, 03:38 PM
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Default Re: Spec Stage 3 or what other?

Go with either the RAM or the Cartek. You know I have the Cartek and have sprayed a 200 shot through it (700RWTQ) and it didnt give, but thats the limits of it. I dont trust that Star, SPEC or whatever you call them. Why should you have to wait for a Gen. II to MAYBE work right? The RAM is cheaper. Id say give it a try, Marks is holding very well <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />
Old 04-08-2002, 04:08 PM
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Default Re: Spec Stage 3 or what other?

I have the Ram 402pp/6130 disk so far and I really like it, good pedal pressure and minimal clutch chatter. I'm still in the break in period so I haven't really got on it yet.
Old 04-08-2002, 04:37 PM
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Default Re: Spec Stage 3 or what other?

hey hey now damian, u sayin i suck *** cuz i got a spec? <img border="0" alt="[fight]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_punch.gif" />

dave is cool to me man, maybe u should have talked to him.
Old 04-08-2002, 06:27 PM
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Default Re: Spec Stage 3 or what other?

If you were pushing say 850 RWTQ, would you use the Ram or the Cartek or SPEC????? What about the McLeod dual disc???
Old 04-08-2002, 06:57 PM
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Default Re: Spec Stage 3 or what other?

Spec makes a decent clutch for our cars. Their customer service blows. All three manufacturers being equal, Ill buy the one who will stand by their product. Thats the biggest reason I didnt put a Cartek in my SS. Ram has SUPERIOR customer service. Im sure Ill be dealing with them for a long time to come.

Considering Rams clutch is taking the same amount of power as the others and costs half as much. The answer seems obvious to me.. BTW I make 538/709 on a TNT 100 shot. My Ram is doing quite well. <img border="0" alt="[Chevrolet]" title="" src="graemlins/camaro.gif" />
Old 04-09-2002, 12:57 AM
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Default Re: Spec Stage 3 or what other?

My SPEC stage III works flawlessly, unfortunately, my (updated) stock hydraulics SUCK! I talked to Dave at SPEC and he said their generation II clutch would help to aid the problem people have with the hydraulics. It is supposed to help force the throwout bearing back against the slave cylinder. This is supposed to help keep the clutch pedal from sticking to the floor. I have experienced excellent customer service from SPEC on the phone and in person. Dave went out of his way to check my clutch out after 3,000 miles when I had a problem that I had created. Just my $.02

Kevin
Old 04-09-2002, 10:47 PM
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Default Re: Spec Stage 3 or what other?

To the guys with the Rams...

I'm pretty new the the manual tranny game (i've always used autos) and I was wondering do you need to buy the shim kit when you do your install? what are the shim kits for? If I get an adjustable mc, do I need the shims? Is there anything I need to do to the stock flywheel other that knock out the dowels and resurface it? I plan on doing the drill mod at the same time, is this necessary?

Sorry for the basic questions, just trying to learn as much as I can before I change out my stock clutch.
Old 04-10-2002, 12:12 AM
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Default Re: Spec Stage 3 or what other?

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">hey hey now damian, u sayin i suck *** cuz i got a spec? </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">ROFTLMAO........Dude, I didn't even notice that I said "their customer sucks ***" lol. I meant customer service. Sorry about that dude....

All you guys that are new to the LS1 boards, let me give you a little insite on what you missed. Back when Star first started selling their "miracle cure clutch's" for LS1's, there were AT LEAST 10 posts per day in the drivetrain forum raising hell about something going wrong with them. You guy's obviously weren't around for this, except for you Mightymouse. I figured I would give them a benefit of the doubt thinking most of the clutch's were installer errors. Well they weren't, and I got royalled shafted in the *** on that deal.

Later.......

Josh
Old 04-10-2002, 10:30 AM
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Default Re: Spec Stage 3 or what other?

Well its just my opinion that People have different experiences with different people and products. I promise that there are people on this board that have a customer service or product horror story about every ls1 clutch! It foolish to think otherwise! Im sure your right that STAR clutches may have had problems with some of there older clutches. However people have and are getting them to work well. Thats the bottom line. I feel there are many variables that go into a clutch performing well. Clutch quality of course, certainly with the ls1 hydrolics seem to be the biggest factor, and of course installing the unit properly is key. I would bet that the majority of clutch failure is install, whether its of the clutch or the hydrolics. I have had good luck with STAR, and bad with Mcleod. I really dont feel that there is a far Superior clutch on the market. Hey this is just my .02 <img border="0" alt="[chug]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_chug.gif" />


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