2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution - Dyno Run

2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Clutch Front View

There are a few ways to increase holding power and torque capacity with aftermarket clutches, but each has its downsides-friction material that offers better heat resistance, but minimal holding power; stronger pressure plates that hold more torque, but stiffen pedal feel; multi-disc setups that offer the best of both worlds, but are expensive and noisy. The SPEC Mini Twin clutch uses two clutch discs with what is basically another flywheel sandwiched between them, to give more surface area than just one disc, and more holding power with minimal pedal stiffness.

With less mass on the flywheel to help launch the car, this kit is ideal for road racing and track use-a heavier flywheel (which SPEC offers on demand) might be a better choice for drag racing. The clutch needs to be slipped with plenty of revs to get going. It can be used in a street car but it's not exactly street-friendly; this is a real racing unit. SPEC does offer more street-specific units, but weighing the lightest of the pack, this racing-style clutch was the best option for us to test differences in rotational mass.

First up, we tested the GT30R's fury against the stock clutch setup. This combo has overheated and slipped on-track at Buttonwillow Raceway, proving the low capacity of the stock parts. The SPEC clutch was then installed by the Tuning Technologies staff and given a solid day of break-in driving before the M1 EVO was put back on the same dyno. Both dyno runs used the same exact Tuning Technologies ECU tune and boost level, and were conducted under the same atmospheric conditions, aside from a two-degree-Fahrenheit increase in ambient air temperature for the SPEC testing.

The results are eye opening, with the lighter and smaller SPEC twin-disc clutch kit allowing the EVO's engine to rev faster and easier, hitting peak boost and making power sooner. Where the stock parts allow the EVO to reach 300 lb-ft of torque in about 5.2 seconds, the SPEC clutch hits that same amount in only 4.5 seconds. We measured almost a half-second difference from stock for the EVO to reach the 350whp mark, and once peak boost was reached, the SPEC clutch helped free up power all the way to the top.

It took almost an entire second less for this EVO to reach the 300 lb-ft torque mark during each SPEC-enhanced dyno run. In a single lap around a track, imagine how many times the car must enter braking zones, hit apexes and then accelerate out of corners. Multiply all that acceleration by the time gained here and you'll see the advantages of reducing rotational weight. Races are won or lost by fractions of a second, and we have that here already in a single dyno run, with a clutch that won't slip. Sometimes going faster isn't just about adding power. Sometimes it's about maximizing the power you already have.