Topic: Spec FW with HOT SPOTS???

[SKY888]

Good to know this piece of information 

its actually only $79 (MSRP).

[SKY888]

edit --- just saw the pics. Send in the stuff. They need to see AND feel the surfaces as well as the surface of the clutch as well. If you send ALL THREE PIECES to them, they can also measure everything as well.

SOB, I need to talk to my tuner today and find out, if we can have this delay or not.   If not, I'll just get the replaceable friction plate.

[snaponbob]

SOB, I need to talk to my tuner today and find out, if we can have this delay or not.   If not, I'll just get the replaceable friction plate.

If by "replaceable friction plate", you mean a Fidanza FW, your non-SAC Spec clutch and pressure plate will NOT work with it.

[SKY888]

If by "replaceable friction plate", you mean a Fidanza FW, your non-SAC Spec clutch and pressure plate will NOT work with it.

no bob,  My SPEC FW has its own SPEC replaceable surface plate that SPEC offers.

Im not using Fidanza.....

[snaponbob]

no bob,  My SPEC FW has its own SPEC replaceable surface plate that SPEC offers.

Im not using Fidanza.....

Since you have it apart, yes - replace it. One less variable in the equation. I did look on the Spec site to see if the surface is replaceable, and did not see mention of it, although the picture LOOKS like it is. When it comes to wear parts, when in doubt REPLACE it.

[SKY888]

Since you have it apart, yes - replace it. One less variable in the equation. I did look on the Spec site to see if the surface is replaceable, and did not see mention of it, although the picture LOOKS like it is. When it comes to wear parts, when in doubt REPLACE it.

yeah, they don't mention it on the site......weird!

I talked to a tech, and he confirmed it.

I also talked to a sales rep......gave him the flywheel product #.....and he also confirmed it.......with a msrp price too

[SKY888]

here are the photos of the flywheel and etc:

yes, the SPEC flywheel has a replaceable friction surface!













Here are the two email responses of the SPEC tech upon receiving the photos I sent him regarding the "hotspots" concerns I have.

Antonio,

In my previous email I explained why you will see hot spots. The spots and patterns you see are typical to a well broken in 3+. It does look like in the beginning of the break-in you may have been a little to aggressive, but nothing that will affect it long term.

What was the reason you pulled the clutch in the first place?

Chad



Antonio,

By the pics everything looks great.

The spots you see are characteristics of the 3+ material. Any of my other stages would have different spots and patterns. Put it this way, if you just showed me pics of the FW or pressure plate I could have told you what stage you were running.

Chad

[Graywolf]

Are you sure you didn't hit a cat and thats burnt blood?

[SKY888]

Tom, you should check yours too......lol

[Graywolf]

My low front custom wind splitter scopes them up so I don't have that problem anymore.

[Kelu]

So bottom line, these hot spots are kind of usual?

Spec or Findanza flywheels are balanced?

[snaponbob]

888, the surfaces look like assemblies I have seen.

Kelu, the answer I have received from both suppliers is that the Kappa engines are INTERNALLY balanced (some cars DO use the flywheel as part of their balancing, but that is OLD stuff), so the flywheels are balanced on their own, and come that way.

[SKY888]

SOB....what do you mean by "the surfaces look like assemblies I have seen"?


and yes, the SPEC FW are balanced.

[Kelu]

Thanks for explanation Bob & 888.

I tried to get some information from my local knowledgeable people about this.

They said 2 things about flywheels:
- make sure is balanced (as SOB explained this might be an old advice)
- all aftermarket fw will develop hot spots eventually

[SKY888]

Kelu, I wanted to comment on your post.  

I was a bit worried when I thought the "hot spots" that I was asking about this thread......was caused by contamination during install....or uneven/improper adjustment during the install

I don't expect my flywheel with less than 3000 miles to have "hot spots" this early....that's why I was concerned.....especially that I just broke it in.....and was still babying the clutch afterwards.


Maybe in a year or so, I expect to have REAL "hot spots"


but the SPEC tech made me relax and confirmed that all the discoloration I see are normal

[Kelu]

In the end you installed your clutch for free iirc

Because of you put me off Spec, than back to Spec, common stop it I need to decide which clutch should I get fast 

Thank you for sharing all aspects of your experience 

[SKY888]

hahahaha!

sorry Augie!

It's really up to you now, if you want to get SAC or NON-SAC!

I really recommend SPEC stage 3+ though.

Also, I know Bob likes Fidanza FW ....and one of the reasons are it having a replaceable friction surface.

SPEC also has a replaceable friction surface.

So you choose what you want and what you believe that you will be happy with!

I'm happy with my clutch (non-sac)...........Tom is happy with his (sac).


sooooooo?????........its really up to the consumer!

[Kelu]

In my previous reply I typed: "P.S. Please don't start to call me Augie again or I will ..." and I have deleted I thought in this way you will forget about that. 

About clutches Spec 3+ is my favorite too because I think I will have tons of tq with the new setup (now I do 400-460 tq) and being the only one on the market to hold big tq but can be used on daily driving also.

I trust SOB opinions, one of most valuable information around here and I know he prefers Fidanza and SAC.

But I'm more attracted by the Spec kit including their FW because I always think a kit is more best fitted coming from same place.

Dunno about SAC vs nonSAC, I would say I don't like SAC because engagement point is nearly half way of the pedal which I would prefer to be a little bit lower. I don't like nonSAC being a non-reversible modification.

I can't believe I will be happy until I don't test it which means decision made already.

[SKY888]

You know I'm playing with you

We've come along way as buddies since our early days of being kappa owners!  I should be an exception and be able to call you Auggie! lol!

Yeah, SOB is knowledgeable, and I always PM him about stuff if I need a direct info!

Will you be buying a SPEC kit soon?  so everything will be shipped to you in one package (garrett mani, efr turbo, spec kit)?   

I love the stage 3+ since even though it can hold tons of TQ, it feels like stock and very streetable...and not as hard/aggressive  compared to other models.

[SKY888]

I don't like nonSAC being a non-reversible modification.

of course you can't use a SAC FW towards a NON-SAC kit......and vice versa.  I think that's why SOB mentioned non-reversible modification.

but after a few years, if the NON-SAC clutch kit  already needs replacement....and if you weren't happy with it.............can't you get a SAC clutch kit?

and vice-vera.

so why non-reversible?    Am I missing something here?

[Kelu]

but after a few years, if the NON-SAC clutch kit  already needs replacement....and if you weren't happy with it.............can't you get a SAC clutch kit?

Dunno, you tell me. I thought on a nonSAC you have to modify something which will not allow in future a SAC clutch.

You know I'm playing with you

We've come along way as buddies since our early days of being kappa owners!  I should be an exception and be able to call you Auggie! lol!

No exception will be granted about this 

Yeah, SOB is knowledgeable, and I always PM him about stuff if I need a direct info!

Oh, that's why he answers slow to my PMs???? 

Will you be buying a SPEC kit soon?  so everything will be shipped to you in one package (garrett mani, efr turbo, spec kit)?

Yes I'm leaning towards SPEC, it will be installed in same time with the turbo. So I need it fast.
Yes, Kenny is helping me to gather all my parts and make one big box to help me to drop local taxes, he already has some of my parts I hope in the end he will not keep it for his car and forget to send them to me 

[SKY888]

Maybe DDM Dave or SOB can chime in!

DDM dave have installed different spec kits.

I'm learning everyday

[Kelu]

Except ACT there are no other clutches for us. DDM sells ACT clutches too.

I don't like that ACT rate their clutches to 468tq only even they call "race clutches" and they warn about they might be a pain for normal driving.

There might a person around here you might go with a different brand soon ...

[SKY888]

I believe WERKS sell the ACT clutches too


Anyways,  Clutchmasters sells clutches for our kits too since last year.

They offered me the FX 400 race/strip clutch which has a six-puck.


you can get fx200 or fx300.............for lesser TQ capabilities.

FX500 for full race.


But I chose SPEC

[snaponbob]

Why do I like the Fidanza? Good reviews, and GAWD they are gorgeous. Which I could afford TWO of them, because one would be framed and put on the wall. As for the appearance of the clutch, wheel, and plate, they looked like they have been hot, but that the heat was fairly evenly spread about. fairly evenly. A light sanding of all surfaces just to clean up all the surfaces is all you will need before reassembly. The REAL issue is the 1st/2nd gear issues. As long as the drive assembly, and its actuating parts (throw out bearing, fork, etc.) are working smoothly, it would seem that it is a master/slave cylinder issue. As I had mentioned, make sure that the master is not working free of the firewall. It has happened to others, and started to happen (with my still stock system) to my car.  

edit: Maybe I will do a Spec wheel as well. YTBD.