I recently finished adding some power to the MINI and my clutch has started slipping under full throttle near the torque band. Chris at Sneed Speed has recommended the Spec stage 3 clutch kit and the Spec lightweight aluminum flywheel. He says it drives great, lasts longer than OEM and will handle all future mods fine. He's been putting them in all his MINIs for 6 years.

That sounds good to me, but I want some other input. I can't imagine the flywheel won't chatter at least. This kit would run me almost $1k and I might as well do the Quaife LSD while I'm in there so that's $2k in just parts. I will probably need to supply my own labor.

Does anyone have this kit? Any other good driving, long-lasting options out there that can hold 210whp+?

Here's the clutch and flywheel in question:
http://www.sneed4speed.com/mini-coop...ec-clutch-kit/
http://www.sneed4speed.com/r53-mini-...inum-flywheel/

 

I don't get the point of higher spec clutches in a daily driver r53, the stock clutch has been proven to hold 270hp without slipping. Not to mention they last well over 100k miles. Plus they can be had for $100 shipped.

 

Well mine wasn't slipping before I added power and now it is. I'm not even at 100k yet. I just don't want to be doing this twice.

 

You can go with the Valeo Kit, I read that it will handle up to 260 hp. I'll be replacing my clutch with that and adding a Quaife as well.

 

Get the Valeo Clutch Kit. It will hold your hp.

http://waymotorworks.com/valeo-clutc...l-kit-r53.html

 

I can concured that. I had my OEM at 180K and it still not slipping. Just a sign of clutch replacement i.e. hard pedal. I Just replaced the OEM just a week ago with a Valeo.

 

And how is it? I guess I'll just go with the Valeo if there's that much praise.

 

Honestly, you'll be fine with the Valeo or OEM with that kind of power.
Plus, when it comes to clutches it's more about Torque than HP and Driving Style (Use) than total miles.
For a DD with no track time and less than 200 ft/lb of torque, you'll be fine without an "upgrade".

I had 212k on my original clutch prior to my motor rebuild, and it looked good enough I could have probably gotten 300k out of it.

 

Strange then that mine is failing with only 92k and 175ft/lbs.

 

Probably the way it's been driven... I had 140k miles on mine and still had plenty of life left when I replaced it for the throwout bearing. My buddys had 170k when he traded it in and still wasn't slipping, and he had over 250 hp.

 

I can't imagine you or your buddy were particularly easy on your clutches. I'm sure anyone with some mods has them because they like doing pulls and launches every now and then. I don't know how it was driven before 75k, but I hope my driving habits weren't what pushed it over the edge because I have every intention of getting a few pulls in every time I get the chance to go out.

 

Compared to my old clutch. It has a very low friction point. The pedal is about 2" from the floor. Before it was way to high and stiff. It feels very user friendly now. I like it!

 

Well I guess we'll see. I'll probably place my order for the Valeo kit, rear main seal and the Quaife tonight.

 

Does this list look good to y'all? Remembered I'll also need a couple gallons of coolant as it's necessary to drain it when doing the clutch.

- Valeo kit 52151203 (SMF flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, throwout bearing, alignment tool and hardware)
- Fel-Pro rear main seal
- 2 quarts Redline MTL transmission fluid
- 2 gal. OEM coolant (needs to be diluted 50/50)
- Dragway engine support bar
- Quaife LSD

 

You know what, might as well do the S/C service, water pump, thermostat, and bypass valve while I'm in that far. 92k is ripe for preventative replacements.

 

Formatted because I'm ****:

WayMotorWorks


ECSTuning


RockAuto


Amazon


Yay for quad posts.

 

Don't forget a guide tube if it doesn't come with your clutch kit.

 

Added to the ECS list, thanks.

 

you already have a transmission jack?

 

There's a few at my shop.

 

http://momentummotorsportshop.com/qu...-differential/

I bought my quaife from this site. It also has a free shipping and 5% off code

 

Is it necessary to have a guide tube? I think that's the only part I missed out.

 

Wow, that's neat thanks. What's the code?

Not always, but it's a good idea when you're in that far. It's possible the release bearing has scored it or something.

 

The code is on their site I don't know if it changed.

 

Yes like they said the Valeo will work for you fine. The aftermarket "stages" of clutches are really race clutches and never last as long as the original and due to the higher clamping force and materials they are made from they will be stiffer and harder to drive every day.

As for the Quaife and other parts we keep that all on the shelf and ready to ship as we install them in the shop all the time.
Don't bother ordering coolant online. You can pick up much cheaper coolant at your local parts store that works fine. I even run the green in my cars.