Is a spec stage 1 a good clutch. How long will it last and how good is it over stock.

 

I have the Stage 3 clutch. I've got ~1,000 miles on it now and it's breaking in nicely. 1st and reverse are a little tricky, but once you get used to it, it isn't bad really.

 

My star stage 1 SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCKS! It chatters something fierce in first and reverse. I have put just over 1,000 miles on it and it is a little better than it was at first but it still sucks. If you search my user name in the lt1 forum you will see the posts about it.

 

I have a stage 2 with ~15k on it. No problems, no chatter. It has been abused, and still holds up like a good clutch should.

 

I don't know what "stage" my clutch is, but I'm running a Centerforce Dual Friction clutch and it is plainly bad a$$! Real easy to drive when just cruising, but because of the weights on it, at high RPM that thing grips with kung fu grip. You might want to check them out. Summit stocks them for like 20% less than Centerforce's MSRP.

 

I've got the "new" design stage 3 w/ lightened SLP flywheel.
It makes a little whine when starting off. In reverse, it will chatter.

Holds like crazy though.

 

I have 400 miles on my spec stage 3 (new style 6 puck) with their lightweight alluminum flywheel. Its alitlle harsh but getting ALOT better. Hold like freaking crazy though, I am afraid to slam 2nd gear for the following reasons 1) I will damage clutch with only 400 miles on it 2) it grabs like an ape, i feel it will rip the rear end off the car. Hehe, good clutch, but for a daily driver, stick with the spec stage 2, i loved mine.

 

Spec uses very tiny springs in their clutches, at least in their 6-puck Stage 3. Went through 1 from Sept to Jan (caused by bad pilot bearing and tranny) rebuilt everything with pilot bushing instead of bearing so less play, then in July went through another one, both times blowing the springs. Had the transmission checked for excessive play or runout, was still within specs, did some research, made some calls, turns out, Spec uses the SAME spring center hubs from their 4-cyl clutches as on their LT1 clutches. Didn't believe local clutch shop till he showed me them side by side. Made in China part also. No more Spec for me, going to get something that holds up next time. This was on a basically stock daily driven car with only intake and catback mods and NO track time or racing.

 

I know I've already said it before, but the Centerforce Dual Friction clutch is plainly the shiznit. Might want to check out one for your car.

 

I owned one before, and will never again. It was the worst decision I ever made...

 

I love my SPEC II! It grabs awesome and drives just like the stock clutch, it engages a lttle harder so it feels somewhat different when engaging out of first, feels like you need to rev it higher for it to grab slower, but after a few days of driving I can let it out smootly at 1000 rpm. After letting my 500 break-in miles pass, I gave it a nice quick grab while going 30 mph and the thing couldn't get traction, much better than my old worn thing that wouldn't burn at 15 mph. As for chatter, you shouldn't get any unless you installed it with a bucnch of grease on the clutch, or didn't have the flywheel resurfaced. Mine never chattered, but I am very psyco about making sure everything is clean and going into place the right way. I still have few miles on it around 600 so time will determine if it will last