I ended up selling my 718 Spyder because of this issue. It was apparent if I continued to agressively drive it at autocross it would soon be necessary to replace the clutch. In addition the Spyder with the manual transmission was simply not competitive in either PCA or SCCA events against PDK equipped Porsches or manual equipped competitors with more appropriate (shorter) gear sets. I made out ok on the sale in that the car sold for the same amount as originally paid including tax and license.

 

¯\_(ツ)_/¯. 10K ungentle miles, not one slip. 2020 MY.

 

is no one making an updated clutch kit to circumvent this problem?

 

Probably similar to what BMW called "clutch delay valve" 20 years ago. Those cars were a bit funny to drive even for experienced MT drivers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clutch_delay_valve

 

is no one making an updated clutch kit to circumvent the longevity/slippage problem? like BBi or Sharkwerks. I would be interested if anyone has a better solution. I have clocked 10k miles without issues..

 

Yes...Sachs makes an up-rated pressure plate and disc. BGB, TPC, DeMan and others can get it for you...including the Lightweight Flywheel if you are also into that.

 

I see you're still running this tired trope, but in new threads :lol:

Randy Pobst isn't doing a bunch of 1-2 shifts. All signs point to the 1-2 grind being caused by a very big change in RPM (product of delta ratios and 8kRPM), and the combination of the engine ω and syncros not being able to keep up with a fast shift. I've seen it in other transmissions, and the GT4 reports sound no different. Usually a high RPM engine and a big 1-2 ratio delta. It's not about being precise, your method happens to allow the underspec'd transmission parts keep up by slowing down the shift. If it's what I think it is, it can be helped with different transmission fluid (sometimes helps, sometimes doesn't), lighter weight flywheel, changing gear ratios where 2nd isn't so far from 1st... and more aggressive synchros.

It's an opinion and propaganda thing. You think the max 1-2 shift speed capability is acceptable and call it 'precision' as though it's a desirable characteristic; I've seen better, think it's slower than it should be given the car's focus, and that things should be spec'd more robust and faster (flywheel, syncros, 1-2 delta ratio).

Otherwise, sure it's an awesome shifting transmission, no sarcasm. Excellent shifter feel for a stocker IMO.

WRT the clutch, I have no comment as some of the reports don't sound like delay valve related issues, but it'll be interesting to see how many experience this issue.

@jmartpr a few posts back, are you describing a programmed in delay in some engine map or a clutch delay valve?

 

 

That would be the Torque Peak Limiter.....it's not electronic but a function of the hydraulic system. Not sure exactly how it works....

 

@jmartpr Thx, good to know.

 

And you’re still blaming the car for your lack of skill, but in new threads. :lol:

 

So what you’re saying is that if you repeatedly dump the clutch and bury the gas pedal like you’re drag racing, the car will develop a design flaw that should be covered under warranty?

 

I'll let you know if I'm ever at a track in your neck of the woods and we can dick measure.

 

The way I understand this, according to my old research when I removed the clutch delay on a BMW, it's a simple mechanical solution. Some owners drilled their valves due to greater oil flow.
If one wanted to do a powerslide with a stock valve and the wheels had a good grip then the valve made the clutch slip. But that was it. Everything was normal if you repeated the process more carefully. I should know, I made 160.000 miles with one clutch.

There is a statement above where someone said "a few agressive starts could make the clutch slip permanently". I assume some sort of jam happens and the clutch doesn't fully connect the shafts. After a couple hundred miles it simply wears off. Impossible to prove that a driver didn't molesting the car.

 

Yeah this sort of "delay valve" inside the clutch fluid circuit is not new technology. Been found in LOTS of new cars for years. Protects the driveline (trans, diff, axles) from ham-fisted (or is that ham-footed?) drivers who "dump" the clutch between shifts (like, say, my ex-wife... where every gear change was a bit of a jerk/thud for a few thousand miles until she wore out the clutch enough that it just slipped all the time...)

That's not to say that there isn't a potential manufacturing defect here, and not knowing those who are complaining here, certainly can't say for sure. But I've ridden with a lot of people who drive like my ex. I've instructed with a lot of people who seem to think that, when on track, you MUST shift those gears absolutely as fast as possible. I've co-driven with team members on endurance racing teams who do the same. We generally warn (and then boot) those drivers... as while, theoretically, if you can shave .005 off your shift time and get back to power, over multiple shifts on a lap, it might add up to an extra tenth of lap time. However, the wear and tear on the hardware means the long game is always a loss when you drive like that.

Funny... I find my box-stock Spyder to be very competitive in SCCA - last Chicago Region SCCA event I attended (lots of National champs in my region) I managed to hold raw FTD with it until literally almost the last run of the event. PCA, it isn't competitive - I FTD by a big margin when I attend those events. And Ron Bauer podiumed at 2021 nationals this year with a manual-equipped 718 GT4.

In other words - don't blame the car here.

11,500 on my '21 and so far, so good. While I personally don't think the OE clutch will handle repeated, very aggressive, 4500rpm slip-starts on an AX course (like I did with my previous ASP-class 987.2 Cayman), it seems to be holding up just fine to 1500-2000rpm starts. This motor makes enough torque, no need to come out with a ton of RPM. Then again, I've never seen an OE Porsche clutch survive starts like that. OE clutch in my old 944 Turbo didn't stand a chance, neither did the OE clutch in my 987.2 Cayman, neither did the clutches in my two previous 981 Boxsters. I am hopeful this Spyder will last longer.