OK it seems like there are as many ways to break in a clutch as there are an engine.

The clutch is the heavy duty Centerforce Dual Friction Archie Clutch on an LSC Billet Flywheel.

1. Slipping is bad, but is it OK to get on it a bit once the clutch it totally engaged
2. Is it a good idea to take it on a long highway run to get it to seat
3. Should I be doing equal up shifting and downshifting or more of one and less of the other.
4. Should I do some quick clutch releases or keep them all smooth. IE almost compression skidding the rear tires on a quick downshift.

I know as much as the regular Joe about taking it easy on a clutch to break it in. However I have never seen a thread on proper clutch break in. So I thought getting this info out in the open might be a good thing.

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85GT 5spd MSD Everything,4.9 With Nitrous. www.captfiero.com

My Archie Centerforce clutch came with break in instructions printed on a piece of paper. It said to do normal driving for the first 300 miles, if I remember correctly.
Try not to slip the clucth while you are breaking it in and do not do any burn outs or power shifts. Just take it easy for those first 300 miles. I actually went 500 before I started to beat on it. I also don't beat on it all of the time. It doesn't chatter or slip and will engage strong enough to throw you back in the seat when you jump on it. You want the parts to wear into each other so they get the maximum grip. If you abuse it too much too soon it will glaze and slip.

[This message has been edited by avengador1 (edited 08-09-2005).]

You know this always gets me ... and please I mean no offense to you posting this question

THE PROPER CLUTCH BREAK IN ?

So, you are supposed to drive it normally, for a while. The way you are supposed to drive with a clutch?
..and then you are allowed to mistreat it?
So as long as you behave the first "whatever" miles, everything goes after that ?

My 2 cents ... just drive it from the get go the way you are supposed to drive a clutch.
Don't slip it, don't ride it. You'll be fine.

Tina

quote Originally posted by Tina: You know this always gets me ... and please I mean no offense to you posting this question THE PROPER CLUTCH BREAK IN ? So, you are supposed to drive it normally, for a while. The way you are supposed to drive with a clutch? ..and then you are allowed to mistreat it? So as long as you behave the first "whatever" miles, everything goes after that ? My 2 cents ... just drive it from the get go the way you are supposed to drive a clutch. Don't slip it, don't ride it. You'll be fine. Tina

You would be the queen of Fiero Trans Breakage.

I have posted a similar thread on a couple of different forums to see what kind of varied responses I get. Everyone almost universally has said take it easy, no wide open time for at least 500 miles. No hard launches during that time. I guess I will just drive it easy for the beginning. Hoping for the best.

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85GT 5spd MSD Everything,4.9 With Nitrous. www.captfiero.com