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Spec 3 vs. LS7

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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 12:16 AM
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Default Spec 3 vs. LS7

I am going to purchase a new clutch in the next few days and I would like to hear some opinions on which setup would be best. The Spec 3 with a Fidanza aluminum flywheel with all new hydraulics or the LS7 with an LS2 flywheel with all new hydraulics. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 03:31 PM
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ttt.

i am hoping to order a clutch tonight so any help would be appreciated.
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 06:49 PM
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Depends what your goals are for your car, the spec 3 will hold alot more but the LS7 will give you better driveablility thats closer to stock
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 07:30 PM
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Well after seeing a few people have specs almost kill them I would have to go with an LS7
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 07:50 PM
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what are the majors issues with the specs. i am looking to end up somewhere in the 500 rwhp area
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 08:11 PM
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Scroll down the page alittle bit and theres a ton of articles on thie LS7 clutch. It seems some people have taking this clutch well above 500hp and have had no problems with it. Hell, the Z06 is laying out 500hp and thats where the clutch is from so it cant be that bad.

Derek
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 08:18 PM
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i am considering getting the sts turbo within a year or so. will the ls7 be ok with boost if it doesnt see much more than 500rwhp?
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 09:34 PM
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If your boosting Textralia is about the only thing thats gonna hold more than 500rwhp for more than 5,000 miles
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 09:56 PM
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i looked into the textralia but i was hoping not to spend over a grand on a clutch. do you think the ls7 would last long on low boost levels pushing no more than 400 rwhp with some occaisional 500 rwhp runs (say no more than once or twice a month). thanks for all the input
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 10:38 PM
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If you goin over 500 HP id go w/ the spec 3. I know plenty of people locally that have them with no problems. Just do the proper break in and you should be fine
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Old Feb 8, 2006 | 10:45 PM
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Does the Spec 3 come with any type of warranty or if it goes in 2,000 miles you're SOL. From what I've read its hit or miss with them and I hope I won't be the guy that it breaks on, but if it will hold better than the ls7 then I will probably go for it.
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Old Feb 9, 2006 | 06:59 AM
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LS7 all the way
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Old Feb 9, 2006 | 08:02 AM
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I'd suggest a Spec 5. It's time tested and time proven. It will hold 700/700 no problem and therefore give you room to grow. 500 is a little more than you want to put to a Spec 3. I think the LS7 is a little too new to know what will happen over time w/ that clutch especially when people start getting lots of track passes on them and really big power/tq to them. One thing though- the Spec 5 will squeak a little, the LS7 probably won't.
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Old Feb 9, 2006 | 08:09 AM
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I heard a disadvantage of going with a LS7 clutch is that it will have much more strain being put on it from the extra pounds F-bodies have over vettes, making the 500 hp mark too high, any truth to this??
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Old Feb 9, 2006 | 10:09 AM
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I am going to be pushing 400+ rwhp after my cam install (hopefully haha) and I just purchased a new ls7 clutch/ls2 flywheel/new slave cylinder/piolt bearings shipped for around $600. I looked into the spec stage 3 but one of my buddies has one and he has around 400 rwhp and his is already starting to slip after about 7K miles. He doesnt even beat on it bad at all. Not saying that the spec stage 3's arent nice clutches, but his just seemed to wear very quickly with only about 6 1/4 mile passes on it and regular street use. I have talked to some board members who have 400 rwhp and some have been over 10k miles on LS6 clutches (with minimal abuse) and they are still holding fine so I cant see the LS7, which is made for a 500 HP car, not being even better than the LS6. Just my opinion though as I havent had my LS7 installed yet to verify its strength/durability.
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Old Feb 9, 2006 | 11:32 AM
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I have heard alot of people say that the spec's have spring problems and they wear out fast.
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Old Feb 9, 2006 | 11:43 AM
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Sounds like the LS7 is the most reliable choice. I guess I'll just have to put it to the test when I can get the turbo and it should drive nice until then.
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Old Feb 9, 2006 | 12:24 PM
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Originally Posted by eli_pem01
Sounds like the LS7 is the most reliable choice. I guess I'll just have to put it to the test when I can get the turbo and it should drive nice until then.
Yea man honestly you cant beat the price and gm wouldnt put a junk clutch into the ls7, plus im sure it will hold the turbo for a fair amount of time if you dont beat on it on a regular occasion.
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Old Feb 9, 2006 | 11:27 PM
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Anyone happen to know the part #s for the TO and the pilot bearings? I can't seem to find them on gmpartsdirect.
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