bluemcs - I by all means don't know what Spec is using on their
MCS clutches, much less where the parts are built. I do know that high HP/heavy cars are death for a clutch though. Many of the Spec clutches that have failed were on stock or near-stock cars. My buddy's, for instance, only had a CAI and cat-back; it was otherwise bone stock. It wasn't like he was spinning it to 10k RPM's either - on a stock LT1 (which is what is in his car), the valves start floating at just over 6k RPM's. When I built my engine, I compensated for issues such as that, but I can only spin my engine up to 7k RPM's due to engine computer management limitations. I think the clutches should have held together better than that though; the stock ones do.
Even if Spec uses the same springs in the MINI version, are they using the same number of springs? Considering the size, I'd say they're only using 4 springs where they will use 6-8 springs on a V-8 version.
I'm not trying to say that Spec is a bad clutch for the MINI - it's really too early to tell. I do know that their track record for the F-body (Firebird and Camaro) and Mustang isn't so good which makes me hesitate. In the same breath, I must say that it is really too early to tell
who makes a good aftermarket clutch for the MINI. I do have doubts about Spec selling 2000 units though.
In case anyone cares, I'm using a McLeod Street Twin (billet steel flywheel version) in my 'Bird. Two solid-hub clutch disks in this unit and it isn't too bad to drive on the street. I have pictures of it
HERE. The clutch setup for the LTx is kind of unique since it uses a pull-type pressure plate (this version was patented by Valeo).