Puzzling meltdown at the dragstrip...

[BlueFVD-575]

Went to the dragstrip tonight, and cant figure out what went wrong. 55 minute trip to track, 82 degrees. 1st run, turned PSM 'off'. Got off the line and spun all the way to redline in every gear with NO BOOST. Felt like the engine was revving properly but the car wasnt really pulling at all in any gear. No grab. Hit redline very quickly in every gear with no real boost. Time was terrible. Smelled like burnt clutch. No fluid leaks. Did a few test runs on nearby road with PSM 'on' and had no issues. Clutch engaged well. Boosted to 1.1 Bar, and pulled like it should. 2nd run. PSM 'on'. A little trouble off the line but car felt like it was hooking properly, came in with 12.51@122 mph. Decided to call it quits, not push my luck. Was this a sign of an ailing clutch or did i just overheat it during the first run and it wouldnt grab? Seemed to work on 2nd run and ok on the way home. BTW, Im supposedly running 575hp on a stock clutch. Is this inadequate for drag launches?? Thx for any input.

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[vntperformance]

Sounds like you glazed the clutch from heat; should have waited 15-20mins between runs and tried again but with a softer launch.

[MBailey]

Sounds like clutch slip to me.

I mentioned to you earlier that it would not last long at that power level. It will only get worse from here out. I would start looking for a stronger replacement. Keep in mind potential future mods you may want to do. IOW, if you even think you may go with more power mods in the future get a stronger clutch than you currently need. The cost difference in the clutches is dwarfed by the labor cost and down-time of doing this job more than once.

[tvurt]

By no boost do you mean not seeing any on the indash display, or not feeling it?

[BlueFVD-575]

I didnt feel any boost. Car boosted better after it cooled down. Still not grabbing well at low rpm's in 1st gear.

I understand a stock clutch may have problems when stressed on a dragstrip with a high HP car, but then why wouldnt FVD include a better clutch with the Stage 4 package to begin with? Only seems right to put in a clutch that can handle the engine mods. Car only has 26,000 miles.

[MBailey]

Originally Posted by BlueFVD-575

I didnt feel any boost. Car boosted better after it cooled down. Still not grabbing well at low rpm's in 1st gear.

I understand a stock clutch may have problems when stressed on a dragstrip with a high HP car, but then why wouldnt FVD include a better clutch with the Stage 4 package to begin with? Only seems right to put in a clutch that can handle the engine mods. Car only has 26,000 miles.

It all depends on what the original owner wanted to spend. Many folks put in higher hp kits and just wait for the original clutch to fail before changing. Many kits include a stronger clutch but you can opt out of it if your want to save $.

[Monster231]

Clutches can go bad fast
Depending on the driving habits of the prev. owner. 26K is plenty of time to screw it up. I have seen clutches fail after 5K of bad driving.

[MBailey]

Originally Posted by Monster231

Clutches can go bad fast
Depending on the driving habits of the prev. owner. 26K is plenty of time to screw it up. I have seen clutches fail after 5K of bad driving.

+1 I have seen that too.

Additionally, I had a stage 1 clutch that was excellent for my flash/intake/exhaust K-16 setup which was about 440-450whp. It held thru my GT610 but started slipping within one week of putting on a race gas gt660 setup (gt660R = roughly 560-570 whp).

[BlueFVD-575]

So at my power level, occasional dragstrip fun, 4-5 DE's per year, and plenty of Daily Driving - Im thinking Stage 3 Clutchmaster or Sachs.... Triple Carbon sounds too tough for street duty. Any thoughts?

[MBailey]

Originally Posted by BlueFVD-575

So at my power level, occasional dragstrip fun, 4-5 DE's per year, and plenty of Daily Driving - Im thinking Stage 3 Clutchmaster or Sachs.... Triple Carbon sounds too tough for street duty. Any thoughts?

I would agree with that as long as you are sure you will not go higher than you currently are.

[onelove]

Sounds like a clutch for sure. Stage 3 should be perfect, if you plan on racing the car a bit more I would suggest a triple carbon clutch, it's not as bad as it's made out to be and when combined with the fact it already includes a flywheel, it's competitively priced when compared to a stage 3 with new dual mass from Porsche.

[Terminator]

Originally Posted by BlueFVD-575

BTW, Im supposedly running 575hp on a stock clutch. Is this inadequate for drag launches??Thx for any input.

This is a statment of the year. . Yes!

[vntperformance]

Originally Posted by Terminator

This is a statment of the year. . Yes!

[BlueFVD-575]

Originally Posted by Terminator

This is a statment of the year. . Yes!

Sounds like a ridiculous question, i know, but why the heck wouldnt FVD add in the right clutch to go with the kit??? Only seems to make sense. You spend 35K on upgrades but cant put the power to the wheels!!? Just to save a few bucks? Buyer beware, I guess. My fault for not checking it all thru before buying it.

Whatever. I still wouldve bought it in a heartbeat. Car is unreal. I just still have no idea how to tame it.

[ttboost]

Originally Posted by BlueFVD-575

Sounds like a ridiculous question, i know, but why the heck wouldnt FVD add in the right clutch to go with the kit??? Only seems to make sense. You spend 35K on upgrades but cant put the power to the wheels!!? Just to save a few bucks? Buyer beware, I guess. My fault for not checking it all thru before buying it.

Whatever. I still wouldve bought it in a heartbeat. Car is unreal. I just still have no idea how to tame it.

When you buy a nitrous kit with a 200 shot, Do you think you are going to get a clutch with your kit? If you know you are going to make 1-1/2 to 2 times the HP of stock, you CANNOT expect your stock clutch to last. My stock clutch lasted 800 miles after my first K16 flash!!!

Buy a good clutch and enjoy your car!!!