...post answers to the questions asked of me in my original clutch post, I will go into further detail.

I bought an 02 C4 w/ 23,000 miles 2 months ago. I have no idea who had it or how it was driven. It was a "certified preowned" car from the local dealership, which means that they added 2 additional years & 50,000 miles to the warranty.

Anway, The few times I've tried to launch the car at high rpms, the clutch slips considerably. Then there's that all familiar clutch smell! I'm not talking about side-stepping the clutch at 7 grand here or anything crazy like that. Just the every-once-in-a-while 4 or 5 grand launch.

For all I know the person before me drove it like it was a stolen car. And if that's the case, then Hooray for me! Good fortune has sought me out once again!

Anyway, to answer PMac's question, I didn't buy the car to drag race but I did buy it to drive it fast.

And to answer 1999 Porsche911's question about what makes me think my clutch is slipping (and I'm not trying to be a smart-*** when I say this) my answer is that it acts like every other car I've ever owned with a manual tranny that had a toasted clutch. You try to take off, and it slips until you let off the pedal. It's only when you try to launch it at higher rpms.

I've always seen these cars as the pinnacle of automotive performance design, and I have to admit that I'm going to be fairly disappointed if you're telling me that this car can't perform normal high performance car functions (like acceleration from a dead stop).

So should I upgrade the clutch or just replace it with the stock unit? Is there something else I need to consider?

 

It really depends on how long you hold the clutch pedal during your high RPM launches. Launching at 5k with a stock clutch plate is not a good idea. Also if you smell burning clutch that defintely means you leaving our foot too long on the pedal. Even though these cars are sports car, they don't have ceramic clutch plates that can withstand high RPM launches. You don't even need to dump the clutch that high to get a good launch. I think with a stage II or stage III aftermarket clutch you will be just fine.

 

i'm guessing because you bought it used... the previous owner probably drove the **** out of it, especially before turning it in if it was a lease.

Don't be to critical on Porsche for issues you are having with the car. If anything, i'd complain with the dealership you bought it from for certifying a 'chicken-fried clutch'. Have them replace it under warranty... otherwise, i believe it's an $8k job.

 

Good luck with that. They'll tell you a clutch is a wear and tear item, not covered by warranty. When the clutch went out on my 99, it was a $2,400 replacement (parts+labor). I had a similar situation, bought an ex-lease car w/ 30k, and at 39k, bang - new clutch.

The clutch is deliberately the weak link in the 911. You've got a bunch of power going through a lot of grip (especially w/ a C4). If it's all too much, you're better off replacing a clutch, than a twisted drivetrain.

 

I agree with RWDrift,

It's not a good idea to launch hard off the line! your not driving a quarter mile drag car. ease off or you will break something, maybe you should have bought a corvette if you like to burn rubber off the line.

 

Mine was replaced at Beverly Hills Porsche for $1475