Should I be able to break C2's traction in the dry?

[Guest]

Ladies and gents, an unusual request for guidance...

In conducting a purely academic experiment yesterday, ably assisted by two friends in Caterham and TVR respectively, I found that my 1994 C2 would not spin its wheels on dry tarmac. Not having attempted this (admittedly slightly thuggish) objective previously, I was slightly surprised that the clutch succumbed to the torque before the rear tyres. Rather than worrying about my failure to emulate the performance of Messrs Button et al at Goodwood yesterday afternoon, I wonder whether this is a sign that my clutch is weak and in need of replacement? (clearly it is a degree closer to death now than it was before my temporary degeneration into clutch enemy No. 1). I am aware that the unique weight distribution of the 911 leads to exceptional traction, and that, coupled with a contact patch that will have been optimised by Porsche, it may just be that the tyres will beat the clutch when warm and dry. Can anyone add any personal experience?

Presumably the RS clutch is a stronger item - in addition to its other benefits / nuances - were I in the market for a replacement?

Any thoughts appreciated!

 

[Pickled Piper]

You really have got too much time on your hands!

pp

 

[oliverjamesthomas]

Or, indeed, a total absence of mechanical sympathy. Could we suggest something more suitable - perhaps an Escort with a Max Power sticker.... [8|]

 

[38F3E1]

It is possible but you have to be exceptionally brutal to achieve it. It then tramps around like mad.

It's one of the reasons you always see 911s a) getting the best start off a race grid or b) breaking something like a clutch trying to get off from the grid. Clutches don't last long on racing 911s because of this.

You really don't want to try it.

Ian.

 

[Guest]

Oliver, I completely agree on the latter but, given that one does occasionally choose to launch a car from rest as quickly as possible - starting a race for example (and the 993 was closer to the racers of its era than more recent cars are), I assumed that Porsche would have fitted a clutch that, when new / fresh, would be able to cope with the engine's output. So, in this instance, I expected that the worst that could come of this exercise was the vapourisation of a few pounds worth of expensive rubber. Had I known that the clutch would not handle an agressive launch I would not have tried it, and will not do so again.

My question is not intended to be flippant, but to ask whether anyone else has experienced unexpected clutch slip under acceleration from rest and hence determine whether mine should be viewed as sub-par. Until now I have had no complaints with its performance or action.

 

[Bull996]

I cant light mine up either...except if you put some lock on.... Only tried it once just to see...

 

[Sundeep]

and don't forget crucially that big heavy engine is pressing down on the rear tyres, which is why it is very difficult to get tyre slip in a straight line........ and in fairness it ain't that many horses by modern tyre eating standards....

maybe take a bag of gravel with you so set the scene ?