I got a jcw stage 2 with you guys on December and just started noticed on 3rd gear when fully pressed on the gas pedal going up on the rpm zone between 3k-5500 rpm the car feels slipping (clutch slipping) although the clutch is not being pressed at the time, just accelerating all the way. Is this normal with the more power and torque? Any solutions other than going with race type clutch? This only happens on third gear and while WOT on the gas pedal, after 6k rpm it goes back to normal straight up acceleration. I even thought that it was tire spinning but tried a few times and it seems to be the clutch feeling slipping.


Any thoughts?

Please let me know.
Leo

 

Clutch should never slip, that's not normal operation. How old is your clutch?

My 2006 STI had slip on the OEM clutch with the stock motor, but as it aged, it just couldn't hold on when the boost kicked in.

 

Did you ever find out what caused power loss in third gear? My 2007 MCS had this issue maybe once or twice, I wasn't even pushing it hard. I'm having timing chain/tensioner issues exactly during this loss of power issue, it does feel like a slipping clutch. I think it has more to do with the timing and Variable Valve timing!

 

You never mentioned mileage on the car? And did you smell the clutch dust when slipping, cause at that speed and rpm you would surely get a smell of the clutch, just cause all your air intake is near the hood, same as when the oil line leaks and oil burns that smell comes into the cabin. If you did not smell clutch it didn't slip as bad as you think.

 

I have spoken with several JCW Clubman owners that have experienced clutch slippage in higher gears, including my own. My sister's JCW Clubman clutch and pressure-plate lasted only 1000 miles.
I think MINI is reluctant to admit they have had problems with the clutch packs on their JCWs.
It cost us $2500 to have the clutch replaced "under warranty", MINI paid for the replacement pressure plate.
If you're not interested in retaining your warranty there are several much better clutch packs available than the MINI ones - particularly the JCW.

 

I have had my car well above 145mph and never had a clutch slipping issue, and I drive my Mini as it was made for, kicking V8 tail, and Yes it's much quicker than stock, with 54k and counting in miles as well. A new clutch just as new brakes need to be bedded and heat cycled and unless it experiences some heat when it's new I'm not convinced it will perform as well as its intended, same with new brake pads especially those meant for better than average performance.