Who has DMF with SPEC stage 1?

[IXLR8]

After driving through the snow storm on Thursday my clutch is now slipping and it is time to replace it. I was considering going with the SPEC stage 1 with the DMF. I was wondering who has this setup and what do they think of it. I have read lots of feedback on the DMF SPEC stage 2&3, but only one with the stage 1 setup. My questions are, how do you like it, where in pedal movement does the clutch engage, is there anything about it you don't like?

TIA

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

I want to know too: I think the DMF is a good thing for dampening engine vibration.

 

[resinguy]

I had the SPEC 1 put in about a year ago, and kept the OEM DMF. Of course, that is the main reason to use the SPEC. I have been happy with it, had no slippage last winter. The let-off is different from OEM; I stalled it more than a few times till my leg got retrained, now I can't remember if it is sooner or later than OEM, but some searching will reveal that.

I found that there was more of a grabbiness or shuddering under low rpm engagements for a few months, but that has mostly cleared up.

 

[dieseldorf]

I found that there was more of a grabbiness or shuddering under low rpm engagements for a few months, but that has mostly cleared up.

Plenty of folks are mentioning this after spending quality time with the SPEC clutches. A few of the folks with the hybrid suggest it's bordering on unacceptable for use in traffic. A few seemed dis-pleased with the choice for everyday driving but suggest it's great during dzljet style shootouts!

The "grabiness" may be more than some can tolerate.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

Since I frequently drive in and around Boston in heavy traffic this wouldn't be good. People report very smooth engagement with the VR6 setup.

DD, you should get one: then you wouldn't have to worry about a switchable chip!

 

[IXLR8]

I had the SPEC 1 put in about a year ago, The let-off is different from OEM;
I found that there was more of a grabbiness or shuddering under low rpm engagements for a few months, but that has mostly cleared up.

This is the root of what I am trying to find out. I have heard from numreous stage 2 and stage 3 folks that the let-off is different, closer to the floor. This is why I was asking about the stage 1, I have had one person say with their stage 1 SPEC that the let-off is the same or higher then OEM. That would work for my bad knee. If stage 1 is engagement is close to the floor like stages 2&3, then I can't use it. I am also not liking the sound of the rough engagement. Hopefully there are more folks with the Stage 1 setup that will respond.. otherwise DG is going to sell another VR6 setup.

 

[azbioguy]

I had the SPEC 1 and DMF in my Golf. When it was new it was very grabby and I stalled the car a few times. Over the miles it seemed to wear in a bit and became much smoother. If the RPMs are low enough it gets grabby, but hitting the accelerator and getting the RPMs up a bit would take care of that.

If you take off from a stop with the RPMs a little higher than you are used to with stock then it doesn't grab.

 

[IXLR8]

I had the SPEC 1 and DMF in my Golf. When it was new it was very grabby and I stalled the car a few times. Over the miles it seemed to wear in a bit and became much smoother.

Thanks for the feedback, where does the clutch engage? Close to the floor like stage 2&3, some folks with those setups have had to remove the rubber stop in order to push the pedal down far enough to get the clutch to release. Or is it closer to the middle, like OEM?

TIA

 

[dieseldorf]

I've never driven the SPEC setup, I had the opportunity but turned it down that day.

I have driven a few other setups. The VR6+SMF works fine, I don't think many would complain about that. A few folks do make note of the chatter at idle.

One of the local guys here has gone thru 3 (4??) different clutch configurations 'til he found one he liked. It ended up being the SACHS Powerclutch + SMF. I did drive that and it was as nice, if not nicer, than the OE setup in terms of feel, weight and smooth engagement...nobody would complain about it. That may be the solution I follow for my own car. Shine Racing suggests there's no chatter if you stick with a stock weight flywheel.

 

[Galactic_Warrior]

I've got a SPEC Stage 1 with about 5,000 miles on it. So far so good.

The engagement point is a bit lower than stock, but not right at the floor. (It was at the floor when it was new, it has broken in some). I also have the pedal stop removed at this point in time, but have been thinking about putting it back in.

The pedal travel from when it starts to engage until fully engaged is much shorter than stock, but by no means unbearable. I do drive in stop and go and don't have any issues. It's not what I would term "grabby".

I used to be lazy with the stock clutch during shifts where I would not go al the way to the floor. With the SPEC, this is a necessity.

My car has a Wett chip only (stock nozzles for now).

Best of Luck!

 

[Eck]

I had a Spec I for 15K miles now and have to report that it's been a very good clutch sofar. The pedal was engaging down on the floor for a good 2 weeks after that, it's smooth and easy to drive. It's my daily driver with a lot of stop and go. No vibrations or shutter.
If I'd do it again, I'd get the spec II just because I'm getting to the limit of the clutch now with my mods.
No noise like the VR6 setup.
The pedal is a little bit awkward when it's all fresh. Even with the pedal stop taken out, I had to turn off engine to shift in reverse. Like I said, only for 2 weeks.

 

[KROUT]

My spec stage 3 is grabby and shutters on take off after that it feels like a stock clutch. If you change your driving habbits it wont shutter. For daily driving in traffic i say it sucks. If you have over 300lbs of torque the spec is good . Less than that i would go with vr6.
I have single mass flywheel. Yes it chatters but you may not get this with dual mass flywheel. VR6 combo is aroud 200plus cheaper.

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

I just ordered the Dieselgeek kit. Partly because I want a short shifter and don't want to pay shipping twice and part because I want the thing available when mine goes. Hope I like it.

 

[dkuster]

I've had the SPEC stage 1 (organic disk) for almost 30K miles and It's been great right from the beginning. Yes, the engagement happens closer to the floor than stock, but that's better IMHO. It's more precise, less sloppy. It took me all of a day to adjust to the change.

On the bright side the clutch engages very smoothly, unlike other "grabbier" options...