I am on my 3rd SPEC stage III clutch this year. First one went in, blew apart after the 1st year. Second one lasted a summer. I haven't put the new one in yet. I kept going rounds with them, b/c there is no way i'm making close to enough power to ruin the stage III (only about 440 brake hp) and they keep telling me it's an alignment issue but i've had it to various tranny shops.. had the driveshaft spun, etc..

so anyway, after bitching long and hard to get them to warranty this clutch since (which was nice of them b/c they didn't really have to, although this last clutch didn't last more than 5k) - the spring retainer plates keep breaking and the springs go round and round in the bellhousing. - SPEC has updated they're spring retainer plate on the new version. they cut SMALL circular relief holes in the each corner of the spring retainer hole as well as made the plate a bit thicker, and allowed a fraction (maybe 1mm) more room between the outter ring of the plate and the spring retainer holes (which is where they typically crack, and then blow apart) The springs look beefier as well, maybe they finally quit using 4 cylinder springs for their Lt1 clutches???

I was wondering if anyone has had better luck with the updated STAGE III version of their clutches? i'm looking forward to putting it in, and hope that it will last me at least 2 years this time!

Thanks

 

I went through a few Spec IIIs a couple years ago. Damn springs kept breaking out and getting jammed in the pressure plate. They always did me right and sent the new version. The one I've got now has been in the car for a couple years and many trips to the track without any problems.


I guess yours may have looked something like THIS

 

I just pulled my Spec 3 out after about 2,000 miles, and I couldn't be happier really. The thing looks like brand new, and it grabs so well. I know people have had issues with SPEC but I am certainly very happy with mine.

Kyle

 

yea the first time i pulled mine apart there were only 2 springs left where they were supposed to be.. the rest were floating around, and around and around (pieces fell out when i took the inspection plate off) the second time i pulled the clutch was because i'm doing a motor swap, and i noticed the plate cracking again in the SAME place, so i caught it before anything catastrophic happened. anyway, i hope the new version holds up better than the rest

 

We should start a stage 3 club.



My Clutch blew apart... horrificly... I think I had 2 loose springs left in there... and worse off this was in the middle of a race. It was my 3rd SPEC clutch... the 2nd one I actually installed and they all never lasted. Can't trust spec... somethings definantly wrong when a company uses it's customers as guinea pigs. I swear they change thier LT-1 clutch designs every 3 months.

A spec cost me almost $3K in BS.

1-STage 2 Clutch $375.00
1- Stage 3 Clutch $499.99
1- Installation $275.00
1-Clutch breaking transmission $675.00 in shoppe/storage fees.
1. Various Tranmission parts $ 50.00 (got lucky)
1. New Fly wheel $250.00
1. FLy wheel Turning $20.00 after second Spec screw up.
1. 1 new Mcleod Clutch disc $115.00
1. New SLP Pressure plate $250.00
1. Installation fees $75.00

Frustraition and debt------- Priceless.