my stage 2 doesnt chatter at all. the stage 1 should be plenty for you unless you plan on nitrous or supercharger and even then it should hold for a good while unless you abuse it bad.
Some chatter can be due to a flywheel that was not surfaced properly or not at all or is possibly damaged. The t/o bearing squeel has been eliminated as SPEC now uses a fiber Timken bearing. Just make sure you follow the break-in procedure very closely.
so all new spec stage 1 clutches have the fiber timken bearing for the t/o? If not, i would buy a separate centerforce t/o bearing, but if the one in the kit is fine then i wont have any problems i suppose. I am going to have my flywheel ground flat by my machine shop during engine build. So that wont be a problem...
Yes, the new ones come with the Timken bearing unless otherwise specified by the customer. What SPEC used at one time as their standard was a very good quality BCA/Federal-Mogul bearing that I beleive was/is used as Ford's OEM supplier. Anyway, the Timken has produced better results.
there is nothing more annoying than a chattering t/o bearing, (or exhaust leak) ... so if it is good enough to have many years of not chattering, then i wont buy a centerforce, and precausions or anything to make these last the longest?
I think SPEC makes about the best clutch you are going to find for the money. Ive tried about 5 different brands and the SPEC has by far lasted the longest.
I have a spec stage 1 - just completing the break in period. I also installed a new stainless steel flywheel. I had a slight amount of chatter on the first day and that was about it. It grabs like a mofo like others have described. You need to match revs for it to be smooth, otherwise it will grab and jerk you around. I think that it typical of any performance clutch.
I called to check on the Timken bearing, as you may read about others trashing the "plastic" t/o bearing. I spoke to the spec guys and they confirmed it was a Timken bearing that they have been using for about a year with good results. Just to verify I went into a parts store and looked at a Timken bearing and sure enough it is the exact same (about $35). They will swap it out for an all steel bearing if you prefer. I would stick with the TImken though, as it appears to have the best reputation.