SPEC sucks!

Post by **float_6969** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 11:09 am

OK, so here's the deal. Today is Saturday and I was going to start my swap last night, but that didn't work out and here is why.

3 weeks ago I ordered my SPEC clutch from Enjuku. It was a stage 3 for the CA18DET. When I got it the pressure plate was messed up so I had to send it back. Well when I get the new one it's for an SR, no big deal, I can understand the error. So I send that one back and yesterday I finally got the "right" one. Only last night I went to put it on and guess what, it's the wrong one. It's WAY too small. So now I'm pissed off. I'm basically going to have to wait ANOTHER week on this cuz this friggin company can't get thier **** straight. I'm not mad at Enjuku at all cuz i've actually been dealing with all of this straight through SPEC. It just kinda sucks when you think you're gonna be all ready to do the swap and then this happens. I guess I just wanted to vent. Grrrr.

Post by **GoofyATX240** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 11:09 am

The shop that did my swap had the SAME exact problem with the fitting I dont know what exactly they did to get it to work though.

Post by **CA18Fastback** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 11:09 am

i have a SPEC stage 3 clutch too. how do i know if its too small?

-Ian

Post by **float_6969** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 11:09 am

I didn't know it was too small until I went to put it on the flywheel. Luckily the motor is out of the car, so it wasn't any big deal. I guess I'll call them on Monday and see what I can get figured out. I'll keep you all updated.

Post by **Xero** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 11:09 am

SPEC started out making domestic clutches, they only more recently got into performance import clutches, I think that their people don't know any different, "oh it's one of them Nissan clutches, this one will work" I could be wrong, but it sounds like that's you're problem,

Post by **Nismo1182** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 11:09 am

Damn that sucks.

This is why my clutch is going to be a custom unit. Im sending my stock CA clutch to a shop and they will make and exact duplicate for race applications. Plus its not that expensive.

Post by **boost_boy** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 11:09 am

Quote »This is why my clutch is going to be a custom unit. Im sending my stock CA clutch to a shop and they will make and exact duplicate for race applications. Plus its not that expensive.[/quote] This is my hook-up as well! Saves alot of money and headache and performs beautifully.

Post by **float_6969** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 11:09 am

Well then help a fellow CA friend in need! What do I have to do to get this done. I certainly know that there isn't anyplace locally that I can have that done here. Most of the time when you mention "forgein" and "performance" in the same sentence,people just look at you funny and tell you they can't help you. Sometimes I hate Kansas...

Post by **NeedCAforS13** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 11:09 am

maybe if you mentioned *foreign* rather than forgein you'd be better off

Sean

Post by **s14** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 11:09 am

i think you once again got the wrong kit. i have the SPEC Stage 3 kit and i checked it and its the right size.

-ian

Post by **float_6969** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 11:09 am

Sean-I'll run spell check next time, but thanks for looking out for me. :rolleyes

S14-yea, I know it's the wrong kit. The clutch plate I have is the right size, it's just that the replacement pressure plate is too small. I think that the first one I got was the right size, they just haven't been able to get me the right one since then. I know I'll get it straightened out eventually, I'm just not real paitent.

Post by **CA19DET** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 11:09 am

i got a 3 puck sprung hub unknown clutch from japan with my enigne, i am getting it relinned by a local clutch liner, and was thinking of getting the NISMO clutch plate/pressure plate it is rated at the same 750kg as the SPEC i think, and should be equivilant to the SPEC once the clutch shop relines it properly and i break it in properly...

i have seen a SPEC presure plate shredded to pieces on fresh alloy:

http://forums.freshalloy.com/u...&vc=1

you guys make your own assesment and assumptions here on what/who was to blame for this catastrofic explosion of the clutch plate.

Post by **float_6969** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 11:09 am

Where the heck did the contact surface of the diaphram go?

Post by **float_6969** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 11:09 am

HOLY CRAP I KNOW WHAT HAPPENED!!! Ok that is prob what was wrong with mine, only I caught it and sent it back. There are 3 rivits that hold the contact surface to the caseing of the diaphram. One of mine was loose. If I hadn't caught it and had tried to pop the clutch it would have bound up, and quite possibly obliterated itself just like that one. The driver of that car is lucky that he didn't loose his feet...

Post by **CA19DET** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 11:09 am

very very lucky indeed....

Post by **float_6969** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 11:09 am

OK, new update. I just got off the phone with SPEC. Apparently what happened was they sent me a diaphram from a Pulsar, only it wasn't the CA18 motor, it was the 1.6L (can't remember the engine code) Hence, that was why it was too small. I think what happened was that I told him that the motor was the same as the motor in a pulsar w/a 1.8L and he got confused. But he's shipping it today and it is hopefully all taken care of.

Post by **CA19DET** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 11:09 am

just ensure that everything is bolted up correctly and tourqued preoperly, follow the reccomneded break-in, and observe and inspect it if it vibrates or acts funny in anyway... and did you ask them if they knew about this failure??? is was stage 3 SPEC 6 puck, i have heard that others have had this happen on the new 6, i heard that the old style stage 3 with the 4 puck is better but noisier or soemthing... but at least safe, dunno if disk design had much to do with that though, as you said looked like loose bolts on the diaphram...

Post by **float_6969** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 11:09 am

Well after reading those messages on that board I'm feeling a little leery about my purchase. I'm still going to intall it, but at the first sign of slipping it will come out. I hadn't really heard anything bad about these clutches until now. I guess my faith is just a little shaken.

Post by **RobDET** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 11:09 am

I have a spec stage 2. That one there looks like the stage 4. That means that motor was making some crazy power (Also notice the return tube for the external wastegate?) For truly insane applications i wouldn't use Spec. I've been very happy with my spec so far though. I even did a 1-2-5 shift with the clutch slipping for a good 6 seconds at WOT in fifth gear. I dropped to third and it grabbed immediately with no sign of slippage.

Post by **float_6969** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 11:09 am

Well I'm by no means so detered that I'm going to return the clutch, but I'm going to keep an eye on it.

Post by **Nismo1182** » Sat Oct 18, 2003 11:09 am

Wow, that bell housing is just....not there anymore. He is so lucky he walked away

SPEC sucks!

SPEC sucks!

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