spec clutches junk? pix of mine inside.....
#21
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (35)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Maryland/Illinois
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
With all these clutch problems I thought I would post my experience. When I got my car I had a slipping clutch (it was just a factory LS1 clutch), and the car had no mods except a cutout. I was not happy, and when I got it apart the clutch pp and flywheel were glazed and had obviously been slipping.
I think the main culprit of my problem was poor installation of the valve cover gaskets. Oil was leaking out of them and managed to get into the clutch (oil + clutch = burnt to hell clutch
). I know a lot of guys put a clutch in after doing a cam or heads. You may want to check the valve cover gaskets, if they are not torqued or misinstalled it might be the problem.
Also, the rear engine cover on the LS1 could leak as well if you have dropped the pan. A leak here would also throw oil into the clutch.
These are just 2 of my experiences. Hope this maybe helps someone.
FYI...I am thinking I will try this new textralia clutch setup for my next one.
I think the main culprit of my problem was poor installation of the valve cover gaskets. Oil was leaking out of them and managed to get into the clutch (oil + clutch = burnt to hell clutch
![Bang Head](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_banghead.gif)
Also, the rear engine cover on the LS1 could leak as well if you have dropped the pan. A leak here would also throw oil into the clutch.
These are just 2 of my experiences. Hope this maybe helps someone.
FYI...I am thinking I will try this new textralia clutch setup for my next one.
#22
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by bowtieman81
FYI...I am thinking I will try this new textralia clutch setup for my next one.
i talked w/ them today. the guy at textralia actually has used a spec stage 3 before in his car. he said it only lasted aprox. 1,000 miles. he has seen these junk spec clutches first hand and assured me the textralia clutch would work great w/ my setup. I'm considering this clutch, but i allready have new hydrualics and my spec billit steel flywheel machined. textralia kits come w/ hydrualics, a flywheel, and the clutch kit. So i dont want to pay for all of that stuff over again. i'm still undecided what i'm gonna do.
#24
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
spec wont do anything about it, it's normal wear i guess. and you can't buy just the clutch disk and pressure plate from textralia. they are made of a special material that works well together. it's a pattented design i guess. the disk will not work w/ a stock flywheel or a spec billit flywheel.
#26
12 Second Club
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I have about 5,000 mi. and 20-25 passes (the last 7 were w/100 shot)on my Spec 3 so far... working great!(knocking on wood!) Those pics look like my stocker looked after 14,000 mi.
#27
Senior Member
iTrader: (24)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by StangEaterSS
the flywheel is out at the shop as we speak getting machined. talked to spec this morning and they said it's normal that my 3I only lasted 8,000 miles. they said the material wears faster than the normal stage 3 clutch disk. didn't get much resolved, they definelty didn't want to give me anything for free. just offered a small discount on a clutch kit. they recomended a stage 5 w/ my new motor set up. $500 for that kit. but i'm not sure i'll ever use a spec clutch again.
Youre shittin' me, right??!!?!?! That explains why my 3I is slipping with only 5k on it now
![Bang Head](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_banghead.gif)
Ill never buy another Spec!
#28
Senior Member
iTrader: (24)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by BrandonSS
I still think a lot of these problems relate to propper break in procedures and the fact we have crappy hydraulic systems. 1200 miles on my Spec so far... 3 track passes. We'll see.
I broke mine in for 1000 miles and have the McLoud master, drilled line and wrapped the line with heat wrap, and a new slave... I have been to the track ZERO times and I run around on radials.
#29
Senior Member
iTrader: (24)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by StangEaterSS
the flywheel is out at the shop as we speak getting machined. talked to spec this morning and they said it's normal that my 3I only lasted 8,000 miles. they said the material wears faster than the normal stage 3 clutch disk. didn't get much resolved, they definelty didn't want to give me anything for free. just offered a small discount on a clutch kit. they recomended a stage 5 w/ my new motor set up. $500 for that kit. but i'm not sure i'll ever use a spec clutch again.
Also, I know someone whos stage 5 just blew up in their Vette... pieces through the floor and ****....
#31
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Central jersey, nj
Posts: 1,688
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
damn...i'm gald these threads started popping up..i'm looking into a new clutch adn was going to go wtth a spec 3..but now i'm unsure....i have a stock car...and major mods won't start for a while...so what would you guys suggest? are there any clutches that don't require a break in period?
#34
Senior Member
iTrader: (24)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by CANNIBAL
I put over 20K miles on my RAM 402/6130 setup in my C5, never skipped a beat and never EVER slipped even when I sold it. It had MANY track passes on H/C and some N20 on top of it.
I now run a RAM Powergrip HD (600 HP version). It's $389 + shipping. It rocks.
I now run a RAM Powergrip HD (600 HP version). It's $389 + shipping. It rocks.
I see Thunder sells the Ram, but dont see the one youre talking about.
#36
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Originally Posted by davered00ss
That clutch looks nothing like the SPEC 3F Iron disc I just bought. I thought the 3I was the same as the new 3F?
![](http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/dgrundwalski/Picture016.jpg)
![](http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/dgrundwalski/Picture016.jpg)