High Performance Clutch Test

[Advancedynamix]

The g series spec may be better because that clutch uses the same disk as a Miata and that entire clutch is common in a ton of different applications. I'm sure they put more time into testing that one. They probably never tested the Aspire clutch and obviously have no intention of listening to customer feedback.
All of my friends who've installed spec clutches in there German cars have had problems, so I'm not surprised and I know better than to waste my time calling spec. If they won't help me on a 800 dollar clutch in one of my Rolex Cup race cars, they definitely won't help me with a humble little Festiva clutch. I'm done dealing with spec, and I'll forever tell people that this company is useless.

[Flyin4stroke]

High Performance Clutch Test

I just put a spec in my car last January I have about 1500-2000 miles on it and I I like it. Slight chatter at low rpm. No slip spec stage 3 sprung hub for the g series. I noticed very little deference in pedal feel also. My clutch pedal is still light but has a lot of spring.

But a escort I just had, had broken spec in it so we will see where this goes. It's was the biggest baddest sprung hub they make.

[sketchman]

I have one now. I have heard one good review on here, which is why I bought it.

But I too am annoyed now with it. I assumed stiffer mounts would help, but I know I saw Charlie has them already, and still this thread is here.

So what is the cause of it? Too stiff springs in the disc?

[fastivaca]

I hope I have better luck with the Spec clutch :neutral:

Ian

[Advancedynamix]

Yeah, I'm going to use an Exedy disc with this spec pressure plate. Hopefully that works. I have a feeling that a stock exedy replacement clutch would hold this b6d. The exedy in Nastivas b6 car is much firmer than my sachs was. This spec has an even firmer pressure plate, but I think they didn't design the disk correctly. We'll see.

[F3BZ]

my unc put a spec kit in his festiva with B6T conversion and had nothing but problems and then no help or refund from spec. i gave him a clutchnet clutch kit. it was almost impossible for him to start rolling in 1st without stalling the motor. the clutchnet disc doesn't have springs in the hub. what finally worked was using a stock festiva clutch disc with the clutchnet pressure plate.

[Advancedynamix]

So, we asked the kind folks at ACT if they would build a high performance clutch package for our festivas. They said they would send us over a few samples of their latest recipe.

So they baked us up something good allright.


This is what we get for trying to makes the world's best Pizza delivery vehicle into the worlds best road race car. The GMR crew ate those new clutches up faster than they could down a pitcher of beer!
Stay tuned for our next clutch test.

[Advancedynamix]

The stock festiva clutch is very user friendly. It's light pedal feel and smooth action make daily commutes easy on the drivers left leg. Unfortunately though, the stock clutch only holds about 100ft.lbs of torque before it starts to slip and prematurely wear. This is a problem for those of us who have replaced the b3 with a more potent powerplant, or have boosted the b3.

The first clutch I tested was a Sachs replacement clutch. A new sachs brand flywheel was installed with the clutch. This was tested on a slightly modified Capri B6d engine in a 1988 festiva with a 4 speed e series. The Sachs clutch worked good at first, but began slipping after a few weeks of use. It would slip when shifting quickly to 3rd gear and 4th gear. When I had a passenger in the car it would slip in 4th gear under acceleration at around 4k rpm. When it was cold out it slipped in 3rd and 4th under hard accelerarion with only me in the car.

The next clutch I tested (and currently have in the car) is the Spec stage 2 clutch. This clutch has a kevlar lined friction disk with a sprung hub and a pressure plate with more clamping force than stock. I installed this clutch on a stock flywheel that I surfaced myself to factory specifacations. The assembly was then balanced at Basko Engine services. I also installed a 5 speed e series transmission at this time.
For the first 500 miles, the car shifted horribly. This was more than a minor inconvenience. After 500 city miless the car started to shift normally, except the clutch chatters very badly when taking off in second gear or downshifting to engine break. The chatter is very bad and could definitely be destructive to driveline components. It's also distracting and uncomfortable. I do not like this clutch and wouldn't recommend it to anyone.