[bluemcs]

I am going to do the LSD in a few weeks and want to replace the flywheel with a lightened version and the clutch/pressure plate with one the has the "torsional anti-snatch springs" as I realize that I lose them when I replace the stock flywheel.

There seem to be quite a few manufacturers out there but none of the names mean anything to me.

Who has done this and what clutch/flywheel combinations have you used?

What are your likes and dislikes?

Thanks.

[jlm]

Promini, and I like it.

[bluemcs]

Well John, between both forums (is there life beyond Mini2?) I got one answer, from you! And I was going to call you before I made the buy.

Well for those that are interested I am leaning toward the Spec Stage 3 system as it has capacity well beyond stock, retains the hub springs, utilizes pressure plate compounds that are tractable and seems to be what most of the shops are really selling for street/track as "their own". There is a new Lightened pressure plate option that I have to check into. There is also a very nice Tilton race set up, Sachs has components, it looks like Centerforce is planning something but no info that I've been able to find, and there are a number of lightened flywheels that work with the stock components.

If anyone has experience with Spec clutches either in a Mini or with other cars I would very much appreciate your feedback.

[CurtP]

Go do a search for Spec over at www.camaroz28.com. There have been many that have had some issues with them, including having them come apart (one of my closest friends had one come apart on him and it did some damage when it let loose). I think they're on their 5th or 6th version on the LTx version, maybe higher. Still, they seem to stand behind their product and replace the faulty parts; but not the other parts damaged by the clutch (i.e., bellhousing, transmission adapter plate, clutch fork, etc). I personally wouldn't buy one given their track record.

I wouldn't buy a Centerfarce either.

Does anyone know if McLeod or Ram is working on anything?

[bluemcs]

Quote: Originally Posted by CurtP

Go do a search for Spec over at www.camaroz28.com. There have been many that have had some issues with them, including having them come apart

Curt - I checked it out. Interesting! The most surprising thing was the claim that the pressure plates were made in China! Wazzamatta, they can't stamp steel in Birmingham, Alabama any more? Well, if the springs on the 3-500hp Camaro pressure plates (which is where most of the problems reportedly occurred) are the same ones that are used on an MCS clutch (as claimed), I would think that we would be far less likely to run into trouble with our meger 220hp and relatively low torque at the crank. Don't you? Especially since most of the Camaro's are used for drag racing.

BTW, Spec reports that over 2,000 or their Mini high performance clutches/flywheels have been sold.

[CurtP]

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).

[bluemcs]

Nice Bird Curt!! Coilovers and everything. Is this for track or strip or both?

Is it as fast as it looks?

[CurtP]

Thanks bluemcs. I've been having some issues getting it dialed in -- last time when I was at the tuner's, it was acting like it was running on 7 cylinders which was showing up on the dyno graphs. I was really disappointed too -- 7 cylinders and only a tad over 400 rwhp on motor; we haven't even got to try the nitrous system yet . It looks like it may be an issue with valve lash (I'm running Comp Cams Comp R hydraulic lifters which are a PITA to adjust correctly).

I built the car for a little of everything, but focused on handling. The springs I used are a little too stiff for the track (175# linear on the back, 600# linear on the front), but I can soften up the rear considerably by taking the QA1's down to 2 or 3 clicks. I think I'm going to replace the springs up front with 500# linear; the current ones are just a bit too unforgiving.

I need to get some current pictures of it up on the website. I've done some cosmetic changes under the hood and it's starting to look pretty good. I'm going to start prepping it for paint as soon as I'm done with the mechanicals.

That car started out as a hardtop too

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by CurtP

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).

Valeo eh?
They invented mechanically assembled radiators too.
Used to work for them. They make some cool stuff.
In the spirit of Christmas I'll withhold my personal feelings about the company

[Team MightyMiniZ]

You are all asking about lightenend flywheels and such...
I would like to show you this

This is half the weight of the stock flywheel and is segmented for long lasting use.
Details are here
CLICK HERE FOR FLYWHEEL DETAILS