[Shotimes] Clutch Issues

[Josh Salaets]

This is the last new thread I'll post for awhile, I promise!  At least they
are all on topic, though, right? : )

The clutch on my SHO hasn't felt quite right for about a year.  Once moving it
works well, but taking off from a stop is tough, and is hard to do smoothly.
Whenever my other two friends that own SHOs drive mine, they complain about
the clutch.  It doesn't really bother me because I am used to it, but when I
drive their cars, it's nice to take off from a stop without having to play
around with the clutch.

What makes it so hard to take off is that the engagement point can vary quite
a bit.  One time I'll take off, and it'll start engaging right off the floor,
but will take almost the rest of the travel to fully engage, the next time it
might start engaging really high,  or decide to function normally.  It does
this on a completely random basis, and is kind of perplexing.  Lately I've
noticed it doesn't grab quite as well off the start, and I had it slip real
bad on me once with a full load of people in the car when I tried to race
against my friend's CSVT, which was the ONLY time I have lost to him, and
quite embarrasing!  Needless to say, getting a good launch at the strip,
autocross track, or even at a stoplight can be quite tricky.  The car has not
been able to burn out AT ALL for the past year, as the clutch will just take
it all up.

Anyone have any ideas?

I had the clutch replaced 45,000 miles ago with a supposedly "upgraded" unit,
and they installed a new clutch cable and main seal while they were in there.
In the mornings I have also noticed it doesn't grab quite like it should when
going through the gears until it gets warmed up, so I am probably due for a
new clutch soon, but I don't want to have this problem again.  At least the
clutch has a lifetime warranty! : )  All I have to do is pay for labor.

If a new clutch is in store, this will be it's 4th clutch since new, so would
there be any need for a new flywheel?  If there is, what a great excuse to buy
a lightened one! : )

Thanks again, and I am done with the questions for now, I think! ; )

Josh Salaets
95 SHO MTX (I SHO U)
85 Omni GLH-T (Yeah, it's fast)
Eugene, OR