Spec 3+

[BlownAway05]

Spec clutches have taught a lot of people the hard way in these cars.

 

[Brain_Mach1]

Try another company. SPEC will not stand behind their parts.

I installed a SPEC clutch and aluminum flywheel in my car and my shaker had more shake. SPEC insisted that the parts do not need balancing. I took the parts to a reputible machine shop for balance and they were currently working on a SPEC assembly for a corvette. They balanced my stuff and the car was smooth as butter. I contacted SPEC with the report from the machine shop and their responce is that the shop may have damaged their parts......

There are better companies out their.

 

[joedls]

Look guys. Not to be an asshole, but I'm not asking anyone whether or not the SPEC clutch is the right clutch or not. I've done my research and already made that decision. I have the SPEC 3+ clutch, right, wong, or indifferent.

So, is there anyone on here who has actually installed this clutch on a stock flywheel? Did you use a shim or not?

 

[stkjock]

Joe - I have the same clutch and used the stock FW, I didnt do the install myself, however IIRC (near 2 yrs ago) the tech told me he did use a shim. I'll try and confirm it.


BTW - I am very happy with the clutch.

 

[joedls]

however IIRC (near 2 yrs ago) the tech told me he did use a shim. I'll try and confirm it.

I would appreciate it if you could. Thanks.

 

[Freaknazty]

Joe - I have the same clutch and used the stock FW, I didnt do the install myself, however IIRC (near 2 yrs ago) the tech told me he did use a shim. I'll try and confirm it.


BTW - I am very happy with the clutch.

Same story with me joe ( actually a stock older model cobra flywheel ) , no idea on the shim though . I don't recall him saying he used one but he may have and just not said anything . This was on a " refaced " flywheel also .

 

[joedls]

Same story with me joe ( actually a stock older model cobra flywheel ) , no idea on the shim though . I don't recall him saying he used one but he may have and just not said anything . This was on a " refaced " flywheel also .

Would you be willing to contact the guy and ask him?

 

[Freaknazty]

Would you be willing to contact the guy and ask him?

I can give it a shot .

 

[joedls]

Thanks, Beau. I appreciate it.

 

[one eyed willy]

im using a spec 3+, stock flywheel. im not using a shim, didnt even know there was an issue of needing one?? i installed it my self, brand new out of the package. only issue i could really say i have it when its idling and the clutch is pushed in i can hear a little noise like something is rubbing, but its so slight only i can really hear it just because its my car and i listen to all the little noises.i did have the flywheel re-surfaced. grabs great and i love the clutch!

 

[joedls]

im using a spec 3+, stock flywheel. im not using a shim, didnt even know there was an issue of needing one?? i installed it my self, brand new out of the package. only issue i could really say i have it when its idling and the clutch is pushed in i can hear a little noise like something is rubbing, but its so slight only i can really hear it just because its my car and i listen to all the little noises.i did have the flywheel re-surfaced. grabs great and i love the clutch!

Have you powershifted your car since installing the clutch? That slight rubbing while the pedal is pushed in is what bothers me. I believe that might indicate a shim is needed.

 

[one eyed willy]

I have issues shifting into second real fast, but it's always done that with the hurst, I never powershift so couldn't tell you on that one. The rubbing is so minimal that you bearly hear it at all, only time I can hear it is with windows down and radio off, abd even then I have to really listen.

 

[1lowtoy]

It has been a bit, but I have installed the stage 1 clutch kit without a shim and stock flywheel with no problems. We made more than one call to them at the time about the kit not coming with the shim and they said it didn't require one. While I do like the Spec clutches, you do have to fight to cover any problems that may arise. I've not had any problems with there clutch in a Mustang (s197 or earlier). The earlier cars we use a ford TOB, but in the S197 your useing the factory unit anyways. I have had problem with their import clutchs though (N/A Supra converted to turbo).

 

[joedls]

im using a spec 3+, stock flywheel. im not using a shim, didnt even know there was an issue of needing one?? i installed it my self, brand new out of the package. only issue i could really say i have it when its idling and the clutch is pushed in i can hear a little noise like something is rubbing, but its so slight only i can really hear it just because its my car and i listen to all the little noises.i did have the flywheel re-surfaced. grabs great and i love the clutch!

That slight rubbing while the pedal is pushed in is what bothers me. I believe that might indicate a shim is needed.

I was thinking about this some more and I think I had it backwards. If it required a shim, but didn't have one, I think the clutch would have problems engaging. It shoudn't cause it to rub while disengaged. So lack of a shim shouldn't cause the slight rubbing you hear. Do I have this right?

 

[shawn13]

when you push the clutch pedal down and the clutch does not fully disengage you need a shim.

 

[joedls]

when you push the clutch pedal down and the clutch does not fully disengage you need a shim.

Are you thinking of a shim for the pressure plate or a shim for the TOB?

 

[stkjock]

If you arent answering Joe's questions, please keep your opinions out of the thread.

 

[Rypper1]

Joel,
It was my understanding that the shim allowed a little more travel on the slave which pushed the clutch further from the flywheel allowing it to fully disengage. I am not sure if it was actually attached to the slave or the clutch or just placed in between. From what I have read I don't think most of the people with the 3+ had one. I know Spec use to recommend one for the 2+ unless you were using their flywheel, then they said you didn't need it. Hope that helps some.

 

[joedls]

Thanks, guys. I think I'm going to try it without a shim and go from there.

 

[1lowtoy]

The shim was installed behind the TOB. I want to say (don't take this for fact) that they had to use the shim when using a clutch for the earlier body style in the S197. I believe all of the new SPEC clutches do not require a shim.