I hear alot of bad things about SPEC clutchs about them wearing out and breaking only about 5-10k miles in. And alot of times with only normal driving. I also hear some bad stuff about SLP how they dont last long either. O_o My factory clutch is pretty much gone (though I do kick the clutch a WHOLE LOT) which clutch is good? I heard Mcleod is good. Opinions on clutchs? Thanks.

 

I have no problem with my SPEC stage III clutch. It has been a quality product at a reasonable price. I have heard of some people running high horsepower cars that dump the clutch off the line having problems. Basically the stage III kit requires a longer breakin period under these circumstances due to the ceramic facings. For a street car a stage II kit may be more the ticket.

 

i like my McLoed, its a stage 2 or something

 

I would stay away from SPEC's stage 2 clutch, a lot of people having problems with them including myself. SPEC's new stage 3 clutch seams to be doing good so far, but if your car doesn't have to much HP I would say go for the SLP one or Mcleod.

 

The only one I have first hand experience w/ is the centerforce dual friction. It seemed to hold pretty good even with some high rpm launches on drag radials, but my shifter was kind of hard to pull into the gears. I read that many people w/ the dual fricion for the t56 have the same problem.

When I put the car back together I think I am going to use the spec stage 3 carbon clutch on my car. From what I have read it seems that spec clutches had a problem a while back, but most people that have got them recently seem to be happy. I know that there was a redesign of their clutches a while back.

The SLP clutch w/ LT4 pressure plate seems to be a popular budget option. It is not the best for high hp, but seems to do better than stock and still be reasonably priced to go this route.

The mcleod “Street Twin” is supposed to be the best of all of the t56 clutches. It is supposed to do good on the street and be good to around 1000 hp. It runs around 1000 bucks though I think. If you have the cash it would be the one to go w/. I have never heard someone complain about it. I think a lot of the reason this one is so expensive is that you have to use the Mcleod flywheel w/ it. I believe that mcleod makes another one that is more of a stock replacement that is a decent price, but I don’t know much about those.

It seems that they are starting to get better, but the aftermarket for T56’s has been pretty poor.

Ben

 

I love my Spec stage 3, but as tony mention, it's aimed towards higher hp cars, and is boarderline streetable. very agressive. Pricey too.

I use to have a Ram heavy duty clutch, and it worked well with my late great modded l03 , which was probably trapping in around 96mphs. It slipped only when running it hard for extended periods of time. But a 383 and many burnouts and clutch dumps later, it shattered at the track. Unfortuantly, it only had maybe 15,000 miles on it. But the clutch was meant for a stock LT1, while my 383 is well over those numbers. Basically, I think it is a good and cost effiecient choice IF you do not plan on making over 300hp/350 lbs/tq.

 

My motor setup is probably going to be pushing about 420hp/459lbs. I was thinking about the LT4 SLP set up...or maybe even just a LT4 setup by itself for now since they seem pretty cheap.

 

The reason a lot of people dont use the lt4 disk is becuase it is a non dampened clutch disk. It doesnt have the springs in it to smooth the engagement. This causes pretty rough clutch engagement and clutch chatter sometimes.

Ben

 

If that's true you wouldn't want to use it for a car that sees any street duty. You always want a sprung hub, and a marcel in a street clutch. You could break a lot of stuff without them from the violent engagement.

 

Sorry to bring this topic back from the dead, but I just purchased a Spec stage III (six puck, ceramic) for my t-56, should arrive this friday, i'll let you guys know hot it goes.

 

Nice. The first thing you'll notice is the weird fan shape of the disk, but have no worries, the stage 3 setup is awesome. Just a little rough when tring to ease into it.