My CARTEK is slipping after 5k miles!!!

[jhelms]

Ok, I'm wondering what the next step is... I'm running about 500rwhp on the spray, I have a FULL Cartek clutch setup (it was broken in properly), 9" rear, and have launched on ET Streets and ET Drags a total of about 10-12 times.

On the past few passes, my clutch pedal would goto the floor at the end of the track.

The other day, I sprayed it on the street in 3rd and 4th (on Nittos) and totally lost the clutch for about 20 seconds after I coasted to a stop.

The adjustment seems right on the clutch and the feel allways comes back very quickly, but if it's doing this now with only 5k miles on it, the outlook doesn't look good for the long run <img src="images/icons/frown.gif" border="0">

I've heard RAM is the way to go, but how bad is it in traffic?

[ExtremeZ28]

i now see clutches as a wear item....when you have a lot of hp/tq and your dumping it at the track or even on the street it isnt gonna last THAT long....ram is what im going to buy for my car and thats prolly what i'll keep putting in it because of its price and what i've read about it....i think up to 10k miles is good for a clutch like that with the power your putting down and the power i want to put down too....the less you abuse it the more miles you'll get out of it obviously <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0">

[Ron@Vengeance]

John, I just ordered the Ram. Should have it in next weekend. If you dont have something by then Ill give ya my thoughts on it. Heard its an excellent set-up. For 340 shipped, its really hard to beat.

If ya get a chance shoot me an email. I would love to work something out with you to Atap my rolling bucket of debt.

[Bob2of3]

Well you probably don't want to hear this but the next step is a TH350/400 or 200r4 Auto. If you put in a high stall converter don't worry about losing ANY of the fun you enjoy now

<img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[Burnout]" />

[jhelms]

Thanks for the replies guys -

Extreme - good points, I just thought it would last more than 5k miles! <img src="images/icons/shocked.gif" border="0"> <img src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

CamminBeaSSt - yeah man I'd love to hear your thoughts on the drive-ability of the RAM. Did you get a rear too? I'll ATAP your car also, but might be kind of hard for me over here in B'ham to get to it anytime soon. Maybe one of the Atlanta guys could get up with you and log some runs for you?

Bob2of3 - I'm not going auto with this car. It's a daily driver, so I think a non-od auto with high stall would.... well suck. <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0">

[383LQ4SS]

You could try the SPEC disc with that Borg & Beck PP. Thats what I did and it hooks like no other clutch Ive tried.
Reasons why: SPEC seems to make decent disks. The stang guys love the SPEC stuff. Our problem is they use stock PP and put a crosshatched surface on the face of he PP and Flywheel to aid in friction. I think they do hook well but wear extramely fast. Atleast thats my experiance. So I am using the Borg & Beck PP that came with the CARTEK along with a SPEC carbon disk. The CARTEK PP has 300% more clamping force combined with the grippy SPEC materials on the disk seem to be a strong combo so far. The strongets Ive used by far. I can spray right out of the hole with about 700FT/lbs TQ at the wheels. The question will be how long it lasts. Well...seeing as how the CARTEK PP, and stock fly wheel im using are now smooth surfaces, along with how quickly it clamps I think it may last a reasonable amount of time. We will see. But this may be a cheap alternative to try since you just need a carbon disk from SPEC. Probably $100. Just thought Id share my experiances.

[jhelms]

[quote]Originally posted by 383LQ4SS:
<strong> I can spray right out of the hole with about 700FT/lbs TQ at the wheels. </strong><hr></blockquote>

Sounds like you have a nice setup, how streetable is it?

What kind of 60' and e.t. are you getting?

[wizkid]

Did ya contact Cartek? Maybe you just got a lemon? Just a thought. <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0">

ERic

[1madss]

Al,
I been meaning to ask, did you have to resurface your flywheel or PP to use the new disk? My 60' times have dropped back to about a 1.85 with a 5K dump on ET streets. Something is amiss here. I'm in denial right now that it could be my clutch.

Mark

[cablebandit]

For you guys in Ga...Barnett Performance had the ram setup in stock as of Monday for 325.00

[jhelms]

wizkid - good point, I haven't contacted them as of yet, I was sort of hoping though that they would step in here on this post, but I'll email them the link. They have been GREAT to work with, I just assumed my power levels were more than the clutch could handle.

cablebandit - good point, what all does that include?

[Nine Ball]

That doesn't sound like a clutch issue. It sounds like a hydraulic issue. If your pedal pressure goes to the floor, and you lose "feel" of it, that isn't the clutch. All a clutch does is grab, it doesn't control the pedal. Sounds like the problem is somewhere in between.

One thing I've learned about the Cartek is that it loves to be sidestepped or dumped hard. It slips just enough on its own to feel just right. It doesn't like high rpm slow releases, those make it kind of hang up there and slip some. I guess it is just the nature of the metallic type pucks.

Tony

[jhelms]

[quote]Originally posted by Nine Ball:
<strong>That doesn't sound like a clutch issue. It sounds like a hydraulic issue. If your pedal pressure goes to the floor, and you lose "feel" of it, that isn't the clutch. All a clutch does is grab, it doesn't control the pedal. Sounds like the problem is somewhere in between.

One thing I've learned about the Cartek is that it loves to be sidestepped or dumped hard. It slips just enough on its own to feel just right. It doesn't like high rpm slow releases, those make it kind of hang up there and slip some. I guess it is just the nature of the metallic type pucks.

Tony</strong><hr></blockquote>

Cool. Well it is hard to tell if it's slipping much or not, I do know (and Colonel noticed this last time out) that it does SMELL pretty bad after a good run, that's sidestepping it from 6k on the spray <img src="images/icons/grin.gif" border="0">

Can I tell by checking the fluid if it's a hydraulic issue? What should I look for there?

Thanks!

[383LQ4SS]

Mark, I did not resurface either. I only had 5 runs on the CARTEK so the surfaces were not worn. I just knocked off some of the material that had transferred to the PP with a Die grinder and Scothbrite disc. So basically I just dropped the tranny and put the new disk in. It worked from the word go. There is zero chatter. But thats because it clamps so quickly. If you let it out...you better have some RPMs and room infront of you..your going forward. The pedal travel distance from first grabbing to full engagement is about 3/4 inch. Very quick. I have no problem driving it on the street though, easy to get used to. Ill have a new Diff next week, if you make it out ill let you take it for a spin to see. Oh yeah...Ive had two SPECS(carbon,and kevlar) as well as the CARTEK that my rear survived. This setup broke the rear the first day. It hits hard. Again...the question is how long will it last....we shall see.
I dont have any 60' times for this set up yet. I have a few 1.6s on the SPEC and a best of 1.745 on the CARTEK. I think I can get 1.5s with this. Again...well see.

Anyone know how much SPEC charges for disks only?

JHelms....that spray out of the hole was on the street. A concrete surface with ET streets. Sorry no 60' times yet.

[ November 24, 2001: Message edited by: 383LQ4SS ]</p>

[Dustin Butts]

I agree with Nine Ball...I think your slave has started leaking or possibly your front tranny seal. Probably got a little fluid on the disc.
However, loosing the clutch pedal at the end of a run is a good indication of a slave problem.

[Jimmyz]

This is depressing to hear. I've got the CarTeK in the box waiting to be installed. I don't even want to put it in if it's gonna slip. John, if I were you I'd be calling Julio for an explanation. The CarTek's ain't CHEAP and should be holding according to thier claims. IMHO. <img src="images/icons/shocked.gif" border="0">

[ November 26, 2001: Message edited by: Jim ]</p>

[bigSS]

Julio told me that my Cartek was rated for 700 - 750 FT. LBS. Don't make me nervous guys! I've had my Cartek for 1K miles, and its okay. I don't want another clutch soon! <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0">

[jhelms]

Cartek has been great to work with, I'm emailing them this thread - I know they'll work with me.

There is the possibility of the clutch fluid so I'm going to check on that as well.

Like I said it hasn't FELT like it has been slipping under load, just that the pedal pressure is gone at the end of the track on those 1.6x / 11.0 runs <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0">

Spraying out of the hole on slicks can't be that healthy for it <img src="images/icons/shocked.gif" border="0"> <img src="images/icons/shocked.gif" border="0">

[11 second z]

mine is shot after 800 miles and cartek wont do a thing about it!

[Rob98Z]

John, just a thought - have you done the "Drill Mod"? This will allow more fluid to flow.