This is why I will never buy a Spec clutch product again

[Cypher02xd]

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g141/cypher02xd/The%20Coupe/IMG_0253.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g141/cypher02xd/The%20Coupe/IMG_0254.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g141/cypher02xd/The%20Coupe/IMG_0255.jpg
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g141/cypher02xd/The%20Coupe/IMG_0257.jpg

Highlights: This clutch has been in 4 months with MAYBE 4k miles worth of use. I was meticulous about it when I put it in with making sure everything was aligned perfectly and torqued correctly. I started having an issue where I couldn't disengage the clutch at all. Pedal had plenty of pressure and was stiff, and slave cylinder rod had plenty of potrusion to it so it was moving free. I finally had a chance to pull the trans yesterday and that's what I found.

This was NOT my first clutch install. I chose to use Spec because I put their clutch in my SR20 when I had it and I loved the clutch. This clutch disc came out of my ka I daily drive. Suffice to say I will be sticking with other clutch companies in the future when I build cars.

[waxball88]

Not the second, third, or even fourth spec i've seen break. Just saying. I've heard many people have had good results but pre-mature failure seems to happen more often. Someone i know
http://i639.photobucket.com/albums/uu115/Team_Fatherland/PICT0229.jpg

[jholman05]

Just sucks knowing there is difference in build quality. I've had the same clutch spec stage 3 for my KA-T for almost 4 years now, put 20k hard miles on it, making 75+ passes down the 1320 with most of those passes on 26x10.5 et streets with low 1.8 60's. It's held up great so far. I had the clutch/flywheel out two winters ago and it still looked realitively new.

[living4surf]

i had a spec clutch on my old wrx and the thing destroyed its self after like 5000 miles. i wouldnt touch their products

[S14Driftr91]

damnnn I have a stage 3+ for my sr sitting in my room... makes me wonder if i should even bother with it

[murda-c]

damn jimmy that sucks...better get an act or something.

[ChicagoS14]

Yeah I have been seeing similar stories about these Specs for a few years now. But is it always the case when people drift or road race their cars or drag race? Or just random?

[nighthawk48]

mine spec lasted about 14k miles since the swap. Have to replace it this week. going ACT next

[whiterps13]

Have you contacted them about getting a refund/replacement? The worst they can tell you is no.

[Cypher02xd]

i had a spec clutch on my old wrx and the thing destroyed its self after like 5000 miles. i wouldnt touch their products

I have on the high end maybe 4,000 miles on this thing. Daily driven, never tracked or drag raced.

damnnn I have a stage 3+ for my sr sitting in my room... makes me wonder if i should even bother with it

I liked the stage 3+ I had in my SR. thats why I chose this one again.

damn jimmy that sucks...better get an act or something.

I have an ACT I'm about to install as soon as i get done this post. I'm going back to know what is proven for me.

Yeah I have been seeing similar stories about these Specs for a few years now. But is it always the case when people drift or road race their cars or drag race? Or just random?

I can't speak for others but in my case my car has been stictly daily driven to and from work. It has seen redline (7500 rpms) less than 10 times while trying to tune and that was well after the break in period. The funny thing is the week the clutch started to mess up I was planning on going to the track! Thank god I didn't go or it could've been worse.

Have you contacted them about getting a refund/replacement? The worst they can tell you is no.

I did, they told me it was an installer error and offered to give me dealer pricing which I guess isn't too bad but I'm too pissed about this to screw around with their products anymore. I'm going to run an ACT and if I ever reach the limits of that I'm going to run a competition twin disc setup.

[Silverbullet]

The same thing happened to my Spec disk years ago.

[soreballz]

Spec quality is very hit or miss. I wouldn't chance it with any of their products.

[fliprayzin240sx]

This is something that we've been talking about in here the last 5-6 yrs. SPEC was decent when they started making clutches for the KA and SR back in early 2000s, quality started going down the crapper and their customer service is almost non-existent.

RPS came about and became popular because of SPEC's failure. Alot of KA guys tried RPS after they blew their SPECs...

[mattsil80wis]

http://www.codyace.com/albums/spec_stage_3/clutch_02.sized.jpg

http://www.codyace.com/albums/spec_stage_3/clutch_04.sized.jpg

this is mine

spec wouldnt refund/discount me one bit when i ordered a new one

[landins13]

clutchmaster or ACT FTW

[moowee240]

my buddy has a ep3 honda with a built k24/k20 and he had installed a clutchmaster clutch when we got the motor back in.. not long after 9(few months) and a couple thousand miles the trans started making noise..chattering..so we pulled the trans..and foung the friction plate looking nearly identicle to MATTSIL80WIS first picture..springs falling out and the tabs to hold them in place trashed.. so we order another plate and bad luck has it the same problem occures..pull the trans and damn it the same friction plate problem..springs almost fell out this time...hes gonig with a different clutch companies friction plate..

oh and it was a puck design also like the others in the pictures posted in the thread.. not to sound like a know it all..but we put in the clutch perfect by the book..no errors..but i have come to the conclusion that this failure issue may be happening because of people buying clutch kits that are rated for HIGHER torque and hp than the vehicle there installing it on actually has and WHICH WILL cause added stress on the damper springs in the plate while driving and you get premature failure/wear

[punxva]

This is why i never went with Spec, their stage 3 was cheaper for the ka, but i just ponied up and went with an Exedy stage 3, i've had no issues what so ever with it. My old Centerforce did the same thing that yours did though.

[[email protected]]

my ACT held up great. i was only making like 275whp on my sr though. when i finally blew my motor i pulled out the clutch and i saw it was missing pieces on every pad/puck

shit still grabbed hard though. (rust is from having it sit outside)

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s248/adolfosandoval/IMG_20110906_105327.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s248/adolfosandoval/IMG_20110906_105339.jpg

http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s248/adolfosandoval/IMG_20110906_105405.jpg

[moowee240]

i run spec..by the way..stage 3+ have had no issues with slip or failure racing with fully built sr but i also bought mine 2 maybe 3 years ago so maybe its a qaulity issue in the newer clutches spec is putting out these days.. mine still looks great..350hp and racing strong

[Highway Riding]

Going on 3k as we speak with my Spec stage II. Fingers crossed

[jumpman2334]

someone should send this thread to them and start telling they need better products and customer service.

glad i read this, i will steer clear of spec when its time for a new clutch.

[lysticalz]

i've been running my spec stage 3 on my ka-t for about three years without any issues luckily. I always get paranoid though because i had a clutch spring fall out and jam itself on one of my older clutches in the middle of boston traffic(not spec related).

ill probably go through exedy next time around though.

[Danb]

I ran a spec flywheel/clutch combo in my old DD KA back in the day and it was awesome and very happy with the quality but man, clutch failure is just something i dont want to possibly be involved with, so much time and effort to fix it.

[!Zar!]

I've always heard bad things about SPEC clutches. ACT home slice.

[josephin510]

Crazy pics but I have seen exedy's in worst conditions.

[fliprayzin240sx]

My SPEC Clutch detonated while cruising on I80 and took out my transmission with it back in 05.

[CamryOnBronze]

The SPEC clutch in my car is about 10 years old and to my knowledge has about 25k miles of abuse on it with no issues. Maybe they just don't make em like they used to?

Sorry to see that, OP. Best of luck with replacement...

[OBEEWON]

Stock clutches with upgraded pressure plates is da jam.

1JZ and 6,500 rpm clutch kicks rocks the cashbah.

[yvang07]

Damn, that sucks, I almost bought a spec stage 3, settled on an ACT. I'm glad I didn't get that spec.

[!Zar!]

I would much rather have an ACT 6 puck sprung with an oem pressure plate than the other way around.

[pandaroo]

Stock clutches with upgraded pressure plates is da jam.

1JZ and 6,500 rpm clutch kicks rocks the cashbah.

whats exactly is your setup if you dont mind me asking?

[AceUp]

this thread is pretty silly. We can make threads about all the other clutches like ACT/Clutchmasters/RPS/Competition Clutch and people will have bad stories on them too.. Ive used spec clutches in the past with great experience and use one now in with the 2j. doesnt mean the next one i get wont fall apart, or if i get a pedal breaking ACT that it wont fall apart either. Aftermarket clutches can come apart. Unless you go out and spend a couple thousand on a tilton setup.

[!Zar!]

weld lock'd clutch.

RUNIT

[mattsil80wis]

oh and it was a puck design also like the others in the pictures posted in the thread.. not to sound like a know it all..but we put in the clutch perfect by the book..no errors..but i have come to the conclusion that this failure issue may be happening because of people buying clutch kits that are rated for HIGHER torque and hp than the vehicle there installing it on actually has and WHICH WILL cause added stress on the damper springs in the plate while driving and you get premature failure/wear

mine was a spec stage 3 and my car is making 405hp/330tq

but mine ended up like that from 2nd gear spinning and stuffing 3rd to equal instant traction...it was my own fault on that, but i can tell you that is how i drive my car always and the spec clutches I have bought have held up to it

the clutch i posted had 15k miles on it

[Matej]

spec wouldnt refund/discount me one bit when i ordered a new one
Why would you order a new one?

I have only ever used Exedy, because I am afraid to try anything else.

[mattsil80wis]

Why would you order a new one?

I have only ever used Exedy, because I am afraid to try anything else.

mine was a spec stage 3 and my car is making 405hp/330tq

but mine ended up like that from 2nd gear spinning and stuffing 3rd to equal instant traction...it was my own fault on that, but i can tell you that is how i drive my car always and the spec clutches I have bought have held up to it

the clutch i posted had 15k miles on it

like i said in ^ post

i had 15k miles of abuse on it, clutch still looked great after that long and im the one that made the clutch look like that (spinning 2nd, stuffed 3rd, boom went clutch)

[Shadowhunter]

Go ACT or go home.

[rebornS14]

EXEDY for OE replacement, ACT for builds.

[Prove It]

did you guys ever think of consulting SPEC? I'm sure they would help you out in some way...possibly free replacement. i had a Spec in my car and had no problems what so ever for the 3K i had on it. Enjuku had it on their race car with an 560 WHP LS1 and had no problems. but like i said, TALK TO THEM

[SLiDe_WaYz]

did you guys ever think of consulting SPEC? I'm sure they would help you out in some way...possibly free replacement. i had a Spec in my car and had no problems what so ever for the 3K i had on it. Enjuku had it on their race car with an 560 WHP LS1 and had no problems. but like i said, TALK TO THEM

Spec is hit or miss. They won't warranty the product they say it was installed incorrectly, user error ext. I have one and I guess I got somewhat lucky no issues thus far. Bur my buddy had a stage 5 in his SR and it lasted him 1500 miles before it did the exact same thing as the picture. He also used the mini single, didn't last long either.

[comablack783]

I had my spec stage 3 in my SR for about 4 years, clutch grabbed hard till the day I stopped driving that car and the pulled motor.. I bought it before reading all the horror stories about the evo crowd and the 240 crowd where having with spec stage 2 clutches... IDK if I was just lucky but didnt chance it 2nd time around, now Im running ACT. It seems spec is very hit or miss, you guys should get together and sue.

[EsChassisLove]

Twin Plate Exedy.
WADDUP

Stop go traffic is the best for this shit

[VNG704]

Sucks to see things like this happen. Best of luck. I've had my Spec 6 puck unsprung clutch and pressure plate for a few years with many miles without a problem(gt2560r). My bro had a Competition clutch stage 2 in his mr2(basic bolt ons), brand new, for only a few months before it shattered.

[Prove It]

if my clutch went out under 3K miles and they said tough luck i would also be pissed. i just figure it would be smart as a company under certain situations to replace a clutch

[jr_ss]

I had a Spec clutch and it was great. However I put an RPS clutch in my SR and it lasted until I needed to upgrade because of power limit. It had dozens of track passes and abuse through it and didn't miss a beat. I'd recommend RPS to anyone looking for a good reliable streetable clutch for their car.

[Cypher02xd]

My SPEC Clutch detonated while cruising on I80 and took out my transmission with it back in 05.

Holy shit dude! I'd be REALLY pissed if that had happened to me.

The SPEC clutch in my car is about 10 years old and to my knowledge has about 25k miles of abuse on it with no issues. Maybe they just don't make em like they used to?

Sorry to see that, OP. Best of luck with replacement...

Thanks. Like I said in my orginal post, I picked up the stage 3 spec for my Ka because I liked the Stage 3+ I had in my Sr. That clutch is still going strong and it's pushing 15psi on a 18g. But then again I bought that clutch over 2 years ago... So maybe they have gone down.

did you guys ever think of consulting SPEC? I'm sure they would help you out in some way...possibly free replacement. i had a Spec in my car and had no problems what so ever for the 3K i had on it. Enjuku had it on their race car with an 560 WHP LS1 and had no problems. but like i said, TALK TO THEM

I tried calling. They told me it was installer error! They offered to give me a discounted rate but I don't want to fool with them anymore. I went with an ACT heavy duty setup with race 6 puck clutch.

if my clutch went out under 3K miles and they said tough luck i would also be pissed. i just figure it would be smart as a company under certain situations to replace a clutch

Yeah... I wasn't happy yesterday with the guy I spoke to at the Techline. His out for it was that it was installer error AND even though the clutch had only been in the vehicle since April 30th (day I got the car back on the road), because I purchased it over the winter for my build I was out of warranty.

I'm happy to say that I finished installing my ACT clutch today and I love it. Putting them side by side there was an obvious difference in quality. Those areas around the springs where mine had come apart were much, much thicker on the ACT. Even the way that the ACT came packaged impressed me when I thought about the way the SPEC came. It's obvious that ACT has some pride in their product and I hope to get many many miles out of this one until I hit it it's limits.

[DenkiMan!]

going on 4 months, about 3k miles and 2 drift events on my ebay F1 6 puck---knocking on wood lol.

[Cypher02xd]

I had an Ebay xtd in an older car last 70k miles.

[Wake]

What stage xtd?

Because my buddy had one on his SR forever until he rolled it.

[GroundPerformance]

I've used XTD before on a mild KA-T build and put about 15k till I sold the car with no issue. Clutch was cheap and held power. I'm now considering Competion clutch or ACT for my new KA-T High HP Project.

[Wake]

Im considering using a XTD stage 2 for my KA, no more than 200 hp when its done.

[Cypher02xd]

What stage xtd?

Because my buddy had one on his SR forever until he rolled it.

stage 3. It lasted 70k miles before a spring fell out of it. I really have no regrets with using it. I put 70k miles on it, and beat the crap out of the car when I had it in there. It sure as hell didn't own me anything for as cheap as it was!

I've used XTD before on a mild KA-T build and put about 15k till I sold the car with no issue. Clutch was cheap and held power. I'm now considering Competion clutch or ACT for my new KA-T High HP Project.

Precisely. The only complaint I had about that clutch when I had it was that it chattered ALOT, like if you didn't do it just right when you took off it'd shake the car with chatter. Other than that I had no complaints about it. I had an ACT in another car with a 4 puck unsprung clutch and for as extreme as it was it actually was EASIER and quieter to use than the XTD.

If/when I go KA-T on this car and I exceed 400whp I'll be replacing this one with a competition twin disc setup.

[Wake]

I will go Exedy or nismo on my SR.

Just want to get the Lightweight flywheel and stage 2 for my DD KA, Probably will never even see a track but will have to put up with some street abuse.

[gambit420s]

Why are people using a sprung hub disc at all? Most of the failures I see (In every brand) are hub related, dislodged springs, sheared rivets, ect.

If you are breaking the hub free, it would seem logical to use a fixed/solid hub disc.

Has anyone experienced hub failure on a solid hubbed disc?

[Ramonesfreak2010]

I've got Exedy Stage 3 w/ only 3k miles. Nothing wrong so far... *knock on wood*

[nathanong87]

i got this. and it's #1
http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/6670/img02391000.jpg

[Prove It]

everyone i know who has had an f1 spec or that other ebay clutch brand has never had a problem also haha

[MeSs]

OS Giken Twinplate <3

[Tantwoforty]

exedy has done me well so far.
and clutchmasters for oe stuff

[fliprayzin240sx]

Why are people using a sprung hub disc at all? Most of the failures I see (In every brand) are hub related, dislodged springs, sheared rivets, ect.

If you are breaking the hub free, it would seem logical to use a fixed/solid hub disc.

Has anyone experienced hub failure on a solid hubbed disc?

For SPEC clutch? I've seen somebody's pressure plate come apart too, so its not just the clutch plate. They're just shitty now in general.

[smelly240]

So many clutches are made out of the same exact parts - go to your local clutch place and show them your clutch... ACT were awesome when they were made by exedy - in recent years they've been considerably less good.

Most twin discs are noisy -

I do like the exedy twin and triples in evos. Comp, Tilton, PTT - these are all good but noisy.

[240sxwangjack]

I agree ^ i have been running a spec 2+ in my 06 wrx and have ad issues with chatter and now the bearing, my ACT from 2004 in my 89 240sx built sr stage3 still working perfectly.

[BDMs14]

I'm expecting the damage displayed above to happen to my Chindia-made F1 clutch but hasn't happened yet. Going on 6 months since install.

[Cypher02xd]

So many clutches are made out of the same exact parts - go to your local clutch place and show them your clutch... ACT were awesome when they were made by exedy - in recent years they've been considerably less good.

Most twin discs are noisy -

I do like the exedy twin and triples in evos. Comp, Tilton, PTT - these are all good but noisy.

That spec I had was NOISEY as hell, this ACT is quiet and I love it. It's a great clutch. Only been driving it for the past 3 days but already I am enjoying it more. Of course that could just be happiness from being able to drive my car now.

I'm very happy with my ACT and hopefully when I go twin disc I'll be happy as well. there will always be so sort of trade off when it comes to clutches, just like everything in life. You can't have a clutch that holds 1000whp and has a stock pedal feel, and is quiet and is perfect. It just can't happen.

[frifox]

i was considering Spec clutch judging by this thread i'm glad i didnt... got Exedy Stage 1 for my n/a ka instead. its as quiet as oem clutch yet grabs like a mofo. one time i was in uphill traffic and i think i did 3 or 4 unintentional burnouts trying to take off in 1st, on dry. i guess i'm still getting used to it haha

[SLiDe_WaYz]

I will go Exedy or nismo on my SR.

Just want to get the Lightweight flywheel and stage 2 for my DD KA, Probably will never even see a track but will have to put up with some street abuse.

Spec may have bad clutches, but there flywheels (most of them) are fidanza's. That's one plus I can say to the clutch/flywheel combo's. I have a Spec Stage 5 with the flywheel which is a fidanza and it works fine no chatter or anything.

It will be coming out though in a few months for a OS Giken Super Single tho.

[codyille]

I had the springs come out of my OS Giken twin disc. Sometimes things just fall apart....

[DRIFT-ELITE]

ive had a few clutch problems, not with Spec but with other clutches ive tried out...

this ones off sr running at 14psi....you guys be the judge..


http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e51/SKYLINE-R32/91724092.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e51/SKYLINE-R32/439b9e20.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e51/SKYLINE-R32/fecf945e.jpg

[jsu1012]

clutchmaster or ACT FTW

This!

I've went through two spec clutches, thinking the first one I bought was a fluke. I'll never buy spec again.

[808drft]

hmm had my spec stage 2 in my ka since 08 and its been on 3 different motors and 2 different flywheels. still holds strong and a lot of life left. then again im still n/a with bolt on's but i beat the living hell out of it. drift events every month. the only issue i had was 2 springs fell out but they dont do anything except help with clutch chatter which is not even noticable.

[s13dan]

I had a spec clutch some years ago that only lasted about 5k miles. It was a 6puck with a spec pressure plate, it was professionally installed as well(before i did my own stuff). I will never buy a spec product again, even if LS1 guys swear by them.

[NoPistons!]

I'd rather rock exedy or xtd over alot of brands. I know alot of people love their stage II organics and Stage III sprung pucks alot. Not to mention for the price of a spec, you can hook it up with an aluminum flywheel also. Would i trust them beasting over 300whp? Probably not but if you are just a regular joe with a mild build that sees some abuse from racing or drifting and are on a budget, why not?


I've heard so much controversy about spec straight from people's mouths who broke them and how pissed they were paying out the ass for em.