we all know **** breaks but this is a defect, only SPEC clutches seem to be doing this. This is a serious issue ,,,,almost took off the dude's legs and one of my friends head.


One question for orignal poster, what is your rwtq at right now?

 

DAMN, and I put a post up about spec 3's blowing up. Well sorry to hear about your loss, but glad that your ok. Now I am thinking of changing mine out

 

You definately need to invest in this:


Its a McLeod Modular Bellhousing PN 8710-10 <--------- SFI approved!

 

This is one reason why I'm going to a th400, and a nice carbon fiber tranny shield. I'm so tired of hearing about clutches exploding, breaking, not holding what they are rated for, etc.etc, not to mentiona good one is a god damn grand, where as I can buy one killer top of the line converter for 1500 and be thru with it.

With this kind of crap happening... I really don't even know why I'm keeping my 6 speed, I'll never put it back in simply because I don't want to have to deal with this kind of crap.

 

The one thing everybody has got to relieze is that alot more people are running SPEC's compared to any other clutch. I've seen other clutches blow too,even stock clutches.Most of the time it is due to extreme heat from a slipping clutch.

I would love to see some pics of what actually broke so we have an idea.

 

Good thing the brake lines weren't taken out at 100mph.

 

Gald to hear no harm came to you.
Just a few questions, So how old was the setup, when was it installed and was there upgraded hardware installed-ARP FW & PP?
At point did this thing let go?
What kind of power are you putting down?
Best of luck with the repair.

 

Id say Spec needs to take up some of the damage. Im glad Im not to the point of needing a high-end clutch, I have a Z06 clutch and thats doing perfect. But Ive heard nothing but bad things about Spec Clutches, especially stage 3 (most people I know with them have the Stage 3) But this is the first Ive heard of one exploding and its unbelievable that its not that much of a rare thing. Good luck

 

Like the others, im glad that you didnt get hurt.

How are the pics comming? Does the damage look repairable?

 

I normally don't like posting about product stuff-b/c the variables are vast and mostly unknown- but many things can cause product failures other than the product. Glad you're OK . I had a friend that exploded his clutch (different brand) and dented his floorboard b/c he kept in it after it was slipping and worn out. I personally don't think it was a bad clutch. Told him it was going to happen. Not saying of course that's what happened here, but bad bolts, bolts untorquing, bad threads , flywheels (especially cast ones), driver error, etc.. can cause that type of thing. That's why blowproof bellhousings are a good thing and on my Christmas list.

My 2 cents is I've been using SPEC for a while and have 2 of them now and I drive the $%$# out of em and never had any troubles. I know a lot of people using them, too. Don't know what flywheel and fasteners were you using.. And how old is the unit (is it the old yellow or blue).? From what I know the old yellow pressure plates were LS6 units like everyone elses back then. But I replace my bolts every clutch change ( use arp fasteners) , repalce the clutch whenever it wears thin and will NOT use OE flywheels b/c I like my feet. Just my personal rules of thumb. JT

 

I dont understand how everyone is saying SPEC needs to pay for the damage. He stated the car was involved in a flood and had water damage. Parts break thats just the chances you take with high performance parts. Im glad hes alright.

 

He added that this morning. If thats the case, then I dont really know who's at fault.

 

No one is really 'at fault' IMO.

Crazy stuff none the less.

 

I call BS until I get pics.... Ha kidding, but seriously, lets see the carnage.

 

Another good argument for going to an automatic.

Damn, I almost convinced myself to keep my M6 instead of a TH400. Now you make me wonder...

 

best mod i ever did

especially when my clutch blew apart inside it last year.

btw it too was a spec III

 

There is a lot more to this story than you guys have been told. There is a long thread over on Corvette Forum concerning this matter. Before bashing Spec, at least in this case, I think the originator of this thread needs to come clean with all the facts.

 

Here is the link.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...318&forum_id=1

 

We were talking about this at the shop. A spec stage II clutch is only really good for a mild bolt-on car and his vette was much more then that. If his clutch slipped and built up heat a few times, then it could have weakened the metals in the clutch enough to make them shatter at nearly 7,000rpm. this is why you buy parts rated at more then your ever going to be running. i bet there are more spec clutches out in ls1's then any other clutch brands COMBINED. its a good clutch at a great price. again, people shatter clutches all the time and thats why you get a good bellhousing

 

I went with a 4I and was only at 400 rwhp... for the reason mentioned above.

Still not changing my mind about the TH400 swap though... that's 100% gonna happen, tranny will be at my house next week.