My clutch is going out and i need to replace. I can get an OEM kit for about $250 or a SPEC Stage 1 for a little over $300. Is there any perks to spending the extra $50+ for the SPEC, or should i just stay with OEM.

I currently have a Craven CAI, Screamin Demon Coil Pack, NGKs, and plan on doing exhaust and a pulley. So its not going to be a highly modded monster.

Any clutch wisdom would be great.

Thanks

 

Nabeshin would tell you to stay away from the SPEC kits, a lot of the guys I have talked to who do VW's and Audi's have told me the same thing.

If you are replacing the clutch you will almost certainly have to replace the flywheel as it cant be resurfaced. So basically, if you are going to run the stock clutch plate you are going to need to run the stock type of flywheel, otherwise you lose the damping you have between the engine and the transmission. For comparison:

Here is a clutchmasters. Note the springs on the plate.


If you end up with a solid flywheel and you intend to keep you mini a street car you are really going to want those there, otherwise ride is going to suffer.




Thats what the stock mini plate looks like, note the lack of springs.

 

I went ahead and ordered a SPEC Stage 2 (along with a Fidanza Flywheel) based on Dan @ Grassroots Garage recommendation. He said that he has been using SPEC clutches with great success. I should be dropping the car off next week sometime for the install.

In my previous cars, I have run ACT, Clutch Master, and Valley Friction. VF was way to harsh on the street, but a great clutch. My CM burn up quickly, mostly because I opted for the wrong stage for my power mods, but I was never really happy with it from the start. The ACT was by far the best clutch to date that I have run. I am looking forward to seeing what the SPEC does.

 

Sometimes you hear good things, sometimes bad
The thing with opinion is that the 10% that don't like something always seem to be the loudest. I heard good things about SPEC when I bought the Stg. 2/ alum. FW for my 01 Wolfsburg and loved it. I bought the same for my 03 Mustang GT last year and loved it. Great bite, held the power, couldn't complain really. I just ordered the Spec stg. 2+/ aluminum flywheel... haven't had a bad experience with SPEC yet soooo .....

 

anything would be better than OEM. LuK = Crap.

 

Thanks everyone!

I guess asking a question like the one i asked will probably go the way of the CAI threads. I guess what i was trying to say is, I have very little knowledge of clutches, flywheels, and so on, but I need my clutch replaced. I'm looking for something for daily driving, back road motoring, and maybe possibly 1 or 2 track days. Nothing extreme or too expensive. And speaking of expensive, do i need to replace the flywheel as well?(Lack of knowledge kicking in)

 

I believe that you will have to regardless of which clutch you choose. The stock flywheel is a dual mass flywheel and they are not supposed to be resurfaced (from what I read).

 

So when its all said and done, it'll probably run me something like $1000-$1300, right? But, first i guess i need to find out which setup will be the best for me.

 

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I think this is relevant. We have a 2006 MCS with less than 35,000 miles. MINI has replaced the clutch/flywheel under warranty TWICE now (changing the "dowels as well the second time), and the second one is already failing after only about 2,000 miles. Naturally, I'll see to it that they replace it again before the car is out of warranty.

Odds of my replacing the clutch/flywheel with OEM parts when I have to pay for it are ZERO--I will definitely go aftermarket.

That said, I have no performance mods--this MCS is mechanically bone stock and will remain unmodified as long as I own it.

What should I specify when the this flywheel issue finally drives me to an independent shop?

Thanks.

 

Findude---My suggestion is this....Go with a simple upgrade from stock when the time comes. A basic stg. 1 from any of the major 3(ACT, SPEC, CM) would suffice for a stock vehicle and give that certain, how the French say, I don't know what(LoL ) to it