I finally finished up my 6spd swap and have been driving the car around for about 2 days now. I'll give my first impressions, but also take into account that my only previous experience driving a manual was one 30 minute thing in a parking lot (in a subaru outback).

I pretty much learned to drive a manual with a stage 4. The clutch is very grabby compared to my friends M3. The clutch only has a little bit of slip to it, but I think with time I will learn to compensate. It releases very high (which I like) and has a moderate pedal feel. At a long light, I notice it getting a little heavy, but my leg will get stronger and I will forget about it. To a seasoned driver, I think it wouldn't be bad at all.

As for noise, that bitch chatters a lot! But it is a spec, and every thread I see about specs states that they chatter. If you are a good 50 feet away you can hear it when you let off the gas. You can compensate for it to some extent, but it will be nice when the clutch is broken in and doesn't do that anymore.

If you are contemplating a spec 3 or 4, (from the standpoint of a beginner) I like my stage 4 and would recommend it. Some will tell you "it's not streetable" or "a stage 3 will do" but the stage 4 is fine AS LONG AS YOU DON'T EXPECT STOCK CLUTCH. You can feel it's grabby, but at least I know I won't crack a hub or anything. Can't wait to luanch it hard and spray out of the hole.

-Sean

 

I hope you don't have the stock 10-bolt, and if you do, then you probably won't have it for long after a launch like that.