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

Which clutch is best for the money??

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Old 08-12-2005 | 01:32 AM
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Default Which clutch is best for the money??

i have a stock clutch in my 02 t/a. which brand has the best bang for the buck?? thanks
Old 08-12-2005 | 02:42 AM
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Depends. What are you looking to do? Street/strip, daily driver, fun only car, or soon to be drag monster? How much HP will you be putting to it? Any special preferences on how it grabs? On/off clutches (no in-between) are cheaper (like the Spec Stage 3) or you can go light HP (about 430ish or lower) and get the RAM Powergrip... let us know more about what you're looking for.
Old 08-12-2005 | 04:10 PM
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spec III here, good clutch for the money. i think there might be a group buy on it right now.
justin
Old 08-13-2005 | 01:29 AM
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My vote goes to the Spec stage III as well.
Old 08-13-2005 | 02:17 AM
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Originally Posted by GTObsessor
Depends. What are you looking to do? Street/strip, daily driver, fun only car, or soon to be drag monster? How much HP will you be putting to it? Any special preferences on how it grabs? On/off clutches (no in-between) are cheaper (like the Spec Stage 3) or you can go light HP (about 430ish or lower) and get the RAM Powergrip... let us know more about what you're looking for.
im thinkin daily driver with maybe a sts turbo in the DISTANT future. with my minor bolt ons i think maybe the SPEC stage III. that was what i had in mind from the start.
Old 08-13-2005 | 04:21 AM
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You do not want a SPEC III for daily use, period unless your car is geared REAL high and very very light. I don't know of anyone getting more then 10-15 thousand miles out of them not inlcuding passes at the track. It is still a damn good clutch for a drag car though that sees the street once in a while. SPEC, McLeod and Centerforce all make very good clutches for several different applications. If you want a SPEC then I would recomend the SPEC II or II+ which they now offer.

As far as Ram, I have to say this, they are garbage, period. That and they don't take care of their customers as I found out the hard way but Sumitt did refund my money which was more then good of them. I had a major failure on one at the strip on a dial in pass (I had made 6-7 passes total on it and had broken it in for 2000+ miles and there was still writing on the clutch disc when we pulled it) and I am only making 284 hp/308 ft lbs to the wheels, the damn thing locked up and seized/melted ripping itself appart and taking out several things with it which almost included my feet.
Old 08-13-2005 | 04:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Rare4thgens
You do not want a SPEC III for daily use, period unless your car is geared REAL high and very very light. I don't know of anyone getting more then 10-15 thousand miles out of them not inlcuding passes at the track. It is still a damn good clutch for a drag car though that sees the street once in a while. SPEC, McLeod and Centerforce all make very good clutches for several different applications. If you want a SPEC then I would recomend the SPEC II or II+ which they now offer.

As far as Ram, I have to say this, they are garbage, period. That and they don't take care of their customers as I found out the hard way but Sumitt did refund my money which was more then good of them. I had a major failure on one at the strip on a dial in pass (I had made 6-7 passes total on it and had broken it in for 2000+ miles and there was still writing on the clutch disc when we pulled it) and I am only making 284 hp/308 ft lbs to the wheels, the damn thing locked up and seized/melted ripping itself appart and taking out several things with it which almost included my feet.
Dam I'm sorry to hear that... I just bought a RAM Powergrip w/ new flywheel/master/slave all from RAM.. hope I have better luck.
Old 08-13-2005 | 09:37 AM
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Spec 3F w/billet steel flywheel here. No problems so far. Very streetable.
Old 08-14-2005 | 02:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Rare4thgens
You do not want a SPEC III for daily use, period unless your car is geared REAL high and very very light. I don't know of anyone getting more then 10-15 thousand miles out of them not inlcuding passes at the track. It is still a damn good clutch for a drag car though that sees the street once in a while. SPEC, McLeod and Centerforce all make very good clutches for several different applications. If you want a SPEC then I would recomend the SPEC II or II+ which they now offer.

As far as Ram, I have to say this, they are garbage, period. That and they don't take care of their customers as I found out the hard way but Sumitt did refund my money which was more then good of them. I had a major failure on one at the strip on a dial in pass (I had made 6-7 passes total on it and had broken it in for 2000+ miles and there was still writing on the clutch disc when we pulled it) and I am only making 284 hp/308 ft lbs to the wheels, the damn thing locked up and seized/melted ripping itself appart and taking out several things with it which almost included my feet.
wow good info thanks. my friend has a SPEC II in his '96 z28 SS and is happy with it... after your advise i think i might just go with that.
Old 08-15-2005 | 12:59 AM
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No luck with my spec 3 does not like sticky tires
Old 08-15-2005 | 08:44 AM
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I havent had my spec III to the track as of yet. I think it is very streetable. It would be easier if i had 4.10's, but i dont. its very smooth if you nail the engagement. if you try to ease it out, it will chatter,
justin
Old 08-15-2005 | 09:05 AM
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had a spec 3...held for the first 2 months or so then it all went down hill....chatter was horrible!!! i love my ram pg hd and billet fly setup!! this thing rocks!
Old 08-15-2005 | 09:40 AM
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If broken in properly, the Spec 3i should serve you well. It took about 2k miles before mine was completely broken in.
Old 08-15-2005 | 12:35 PM
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i have a RAM HD POwergrip that has 6months on it. My car makjes 385/365 at the wheels and sees regular beatings on the street. I ride with BFG DRs on all the time and usually launch on the wekends at 3K with no issues. Isnt THAT great for a DD tho, but it works. Lots of chatter.....BUT, thats what you get.
Old 08-15-2005 | 01:49 PM
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I'm ordering a powergrip HD tomorrow.
Old 08-15-2005 | 05:39 PM
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I have had my spec III for more than 55,000 miles. My car is a daily driver plus I like to play a little on the weekend. When I bought my clutch, people were bragging on it. After a year of having it, people started to dog the clutch. I guess everyone has hits and misses on these items because of different type of abuse. I have had nothing but good luck with mine. I usually make a round trips to Nashville (about 240+ miles). This is usually done twice a week. I only do highway runs if any and never take the car to the track. I love the clutch, but it still chatter sometimes. But, that comes with a performance clutch. My car has now 105,000 miles on the odometer and it just seems to get better...

Last edited by Prin; 07-24-2006 at 10:40 PM.
Old 08-16-2005 | 05:34 PM
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I currently run a Textralia OZ700 clutch. I went thru 2 SPEC 5 clutches in less than 7 months and 5000 miles and this clutch is already impressing me..
Old 08-16-2005 | 06:02 PM
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I run a clutchmasters, and this is my 4th clutch in the car. It holds very well and daily driving is a breeze. I had stock, then Z06 ( lasted 10K and one week of Nittos ), then RAM 980 ( shiity clutch, lasted 10K ) now this one and it has 20K on it and over 400HP.

About $900 and you better buy a new flywheel.
Old 08-17-2005 | 07:54 AM
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Chatter wasn't a prob, that is about engagement. Problem is they don't last long...
Old 08-19-2005 | 03:20 AM
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Originally Posted by VINCE
I currently run a Textralia OZ700 clutch. I went thru 2 SPEC 5 clutches in less than 7 months and 5000 miles and this clutch is already impressing me..
im glad you live in FL, cus i never wanna be next to you when the light turns green.



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