initial feelings spec clutch stg 3

[jayiszraw]

whats going on guys just thought id post up my initial felings about the stage 3 clutch by spec.
i have a steel spec flywheels and a spec stg 3 clutch (6 puck)

sometimes it chatters. its quite during idle. seems to make a little bit of noise when the a/c is on. the clutch is very easy to manage. id like to believe the pedal is lighter than stock how ever because of the nature of a 6 puck clutch it does feel a little more on/off. i currently have about 50 miles on the clutch and i love it already. the lwfw is a noticable diffference off boost and throttle response feels great. also i scored a great deal from ultrarev/ they had the best pricing online i called them and asked for a better price and they were able to give me the clutch for about 460 which retails for about 600! They also sell clutchmasters so for those of you trying to find good prices on your clutch kits i'd check these guys out. any other questions about the clutch i'd be happy to answer. i wanna say i'll post up again at 500 miles then again at 1000. then maybe after my first launch.

[A4SoftWalker]

Nice my spec clutch is up for a refresh too. I was looking at a shop matching the 620 from the spec superstore. Good to know.

[ZimbutheMonkey]

Yaaay, I'm not the only one running a SPEC clutch Jayiszraw, it'll likely smooth out after a week or two, as my stage 3+ was a hair grabby at first, but then again, so are most clutches.

[d_maniac]

What is the power rating for this clutch?

[spindoctor]

What is the power rating for this clutch?

+1

Also, does it have a high clutch engagement like a stock one or mid to low engagement?

[tyroneshoelaces]

I didn't see the cost of the flywheel on their site. What did you pay for that? I'm up for a clutch and want to ditch the dual mass. In vw world Spec is really common, but here in Audi land is all CM. Never understood why.

[Turbavanttro]

I was running a spec stage 3+ and loved it, it hooked up well (gtrs setup) and and was just slightly heavier feeling than the stock clutch. I didnt like where the pedal engaged though (near the end of throw). Gave it to my friend to try in his B5 and it chatters slightly at idle for him, but it never did for me.

You might try calling spec to see what they can do for you, they gave me a great deal basically because I asked for one.

[MikTip]

I had Specs stage 2+ in 228mm with OEM DMFW and liked it allot! It lasted longer than all the other clutchs I had.... finally needed changing after 3 years of K04 running on my Quattro!

Now running Clutch Masters 240mm single mass FW setup with Kevlar disk!

[Bische]

Is the stg3 ceramic or organic?

[ZimbutheMonkey]

Ceramic of some sort by the looks of it. I remember hearing something to the effect of Bronze/Ceramic,but don't quote me on that as I could be mistaken.

[jayiszraw]

The power rating is 450tq on stg 3 and stg 4 and 550 on stg 3+ I think. The pedal engagement is right around stock. Its actually comfortable because the pedal isn't heavy.

[BerNur]

i wish i went with stage 3+ but i couldnt find any reviews on it and went with clutchmasters and it chatters like crazy... smh what a mistake..

[jayiszraw]

i wish i went with stage 3+ but i couldnt find any reviews on it and went with clutchmasters and it chatters like crazy... smh what a mistake..

berin hit meup i'd like to check out yourcar.

[spindoctor]

Any updates on the Spec clutch? I'm about to purchase a 240mm stage 2+ for my BT build.

[A4SoftWalker]

What do u mean updates??? This clutch is old news to us...

Annnnnnnd I am yet to see a 240mm Spec 3+ customer that is happy... stick with the 228mm.

And as for stage 2+... 240mm u are on ur own for BT nobody I know running that combo.

Dont be a wimp 228mm stage 3+ and LWFW and dont drive like u stole the car and u will not regret it.


I haven't.

[mrbacardi35]

A4SoftWalker,

Any chatter or noise with your setup?

Also is the spec stage 3+ compatible with OEM DMFW if anyone is running it? Thanks

What do u mean updates??? This clutch is old news to us...

Annnnnnnd I am yet to see a 240mm Spec 3+ customer that is happy... stick with the 228mm.

And as for stage 2+... 240mm u are on ur own for BT nobody I know running that combo.

Dont be a wimp 228mm stage 3+ and LWFW and dont drive like u stole the car and u will not regret it.


I haven't.

[vortexjunkie]

My spec clutch is sitting in my attic in pieces because they are the biggest piece of junk on the market...

[Dan[FN]6262]

I installed a Spec clutch and flywheel for a friend about 6 months ago or so. He has a K04 setup, and I thought it seemed like a nice clutch setup.

[boy412]

My spec clutch is sitting in my attic in pieces because they are the biggest piece of junk on the market...

I'm with ya on that one. I had a 240mm stage 2 (LSFW) and it lasted less than 40k...and that was with the little K03 and Stage 1+ tune! I wasn't driving like I stole the car either. Now maybe Spec clutches aren't crap...but the one I had was and I'd be VERY reluctant to purchase another one. I think I'm more pissed off at the shop that sold it to me than I am with Spec...but still.

[ZimbutheMonkey]

My spec clutch is sitting in my attic in pieces because they are the biggest piece of junk on the market...

Let me guess, bought around 2006-2007? Honestly, how long is this going to last? Sounds like they had a shitty run of product and they fixed it. Like I've said before, show me how many complaints there have been since 2008+ I searched and don't recall seeing any for the Audis. I'd say judge a part on the manufacturing process and performance right now, not 4-5 years ago.

[Shayneduboulay]

Let me guess, bought around 2006-2007? Honestly, how long is this going to last? Sounds like they had a shitty run of product and they fixed it. Like I've said before, show me how many complaints there have been since 2008+ I searched and don't recall seeing any for the Audis. I'd say judge a part on the manufacturing process and performance right now, not 4-5 years ago.

My brother had 2 spec clutches go on him within 1 years on his B5 stg1+. The first one blew apart and the second one had one of the pucks almost break off completely. how this can happen dont ask me but he never bought spec again. Like you said that was about 4-5 years ago

[FORCE_FED_DUB]

My SPEC Stg 2 w/ steel LWFW has been great for the last year. I have about 7k on it. It's a touch grabby when cold, but warms up quickly. I'm Uni stage 1 currently so I'm not putting out any real power, but it will spin all 4 tires at the drag strip.

[A4SoftWalker]

My Spec 3+ 228mm is of the late 2007 batch.
Ordered from 034, they placed the order with Spec. It was installed by them when I was a wee little grasshopper in the wrenching category.
I ordered a LWFW of the steel variety at the same time - 16lbs not too light.

For the benefit of those that were not here during this MASSIVE thread several years ago a few definitions:

Rattle - noise caused from a LWFW mod. Heard when car is idling with AC on or idling period if flywheel is too light.
Chatter - noise/vibration (more of a vibration really) that any clutch creates during break-in when the clutch material deposits on the flywheel are not uniform causing an uneven engagement and thus the vibrations.

My car's tranny rattles only with AC on and parked or with AC on going through drivethrus
My clutch chattered during break-in; well over 4000miles getting less all the time until I started break-in upshifting and DOWNSHIFTING especially on the freeway.

This procedure broke it in within a week of driving.

Now I only get slight chatter with hi-rpm launch say 4-5k rpms.

Not sure if the Spec 3+ is compatible with the OEM DMFW. Call and ask a tech at 034 they will know for sure.

For the record I am going Spec 3+ again no problem. As for all the rattling issues I just had my entire rotating assembly spin balanced at a crankshaft dr shop. They used all the rods/pistons/flywheel/clutch/fluid damper/crankshaft to spin balance the whole thing. That should take care of any vibrations I might have spinning to 8k rpm or beyond according to them... we will see.

OOPS CATS OUT OF THE BAG NOW...

[Dan[FN]6262]

I don't have a problem revvin to 9k rpms on my engine, with no special balancing done. so 8k will be a cake walk, if you got the bottom end blueprinted

[mrbacardi35]

I commented on the Stage 3+ through FB and it will work w/ OEM DMFW.

My Spec 3+ 228mm is of the late 2007 batch.
Ordered from 034, they placed the order with Spec. It was installed by them when I was a wee little grasshopper in the wrenching category.
I ordered a LWFW of the steel variety at the same time - 16lbs not too light.

For the benefit of those that were not here during this MASSIVE thread several years ago a few definitions:

Rattle - noise caused from a LWFW mod. Heard when car is idling with AC on or idling period if flywheel is too light.
Chatter - noise/vibration (more of a vibration really) that any clutch creates during break-in when the clutch material deposits on the flywheel are not uniform causing an uneven engagement and thus the vibrations.

My car's tranny rattles only with AC on and parked or with AC on going through drivethrus
My clutch chattered during break-in; well over 4000miles getting less all the time until I started break-in upshifting and DOWNSHIFTING especially on the freeway.

This procedure broke it in within a week of driving.

Now I only get slight chatter with hi-rpm launch say 4-5k rpms.

Not sure if the Spec 3+ is compatible with the OEM DMFW. Call and ask a tech at 034 they will know for sure.

For the record I am going Spec 3+ again no problem. As for all the rattling issues I just had my entire rotating assembly spin balanced at a crankshaft dr shop. They used all the rods/pistons/flywheel/clutch/fluid damper/crankshaft to spin balance the whole thing. That should take care of any vibrations I might have spinning to 8k rpm or beyond according to them... we will see.

OOPS CATS OUT OF THE BAG NOW...

[jayiszraw]

Sorry for the long delay in updates. Not sure how many miles I have on it but here's my thoughts...
On a launch it won't really chirp my tires weather I engage smooth or harsh. However in the rain it will spin all 4 easy. The clutch has very little chatter if any at all. It does however make a squeal noise sometimes on engagement. Other than that I have no real complaints about this clutch.

[boy412]

I am now running a Spec Stage3+ 240, which replaced the FX400 240 (6 puck). Lower pedal engagement, minimal chatter. A little rattle with the AC on but it doesn't bother me. Went this route because I still had by old Spec Stage2 when my FX400 died. Had it rebuilt by Spec. So far I'm happy with it...but time will tell!

Curious about a4softwalker's comment on the 240 vs 228. Care to comment?

[spindoctor]

I am now running a Spec Stage3+ 240, which replaced the FX400 240 (6 puck). Lower pedal engagement, minimal chatter. A little rattle with the AC on but it doesn't bother me. Went this route because I still had by old Spec Stage2 when my FX400 died. Had it rebuilt by Spec. So far I'm happy with it...but time will tell!

Curious about a4softwalker's comment on the 240 vs 228. Care to comment?

Just re-read this thread.

What sort of mileage have you done so far? I enquired about the stage2+ and was told by David Norton of Spec..he quoted "the plate is actually billet". Im guessing preasure plate? Is yours billet as well?

Oh yeah, how long did the FX400 last you?

[jayiszraw]

Update this clutch is still holding strong after countless launches