[BERK]

At an autocross about a month ago, I let a couple of my friend take my car for a spin during the fun runs. I was riding with one of them when the car gave off a horrible burning clutch smell. It started in the middle of one of the runs when he shifted to third. He is a very capable driver and had driven my car several times before. I was not letting anyone launch hard, I almost never launch it myself. My car only has 7k miles and the only mods are stage 2. Why would it slip in third when it had never shown any signs of wear before?

Another thing i noticed was that my front tires were significantly more worn than the rears after letting them drive it, is it possible that that caused damage to the center diff? Are there clutches in there that could cause a burning clutch smell?

I let the car cool off and it has driven just like normal since then. I haven't noticed any issues, and I will be replacing the tires very soon. Oh, and no, I won't be whoring my car out at any more autocrosses.

[eze13sti]

did you ever look down and see if he was riding the clutch?

[Wes]

^^

[BERK]

I couldn't tell, but I asked him right afterwards, and he said he wasn't.

[eze13sti]

most people wont admit it OR it could be a habit 2 some..i duno feel it out. maybe some more pro's will chime in later.

[TucsonSTi]

Originally Posted by BERK

At an autocross about a month ago, I let a couple of my friend take my car for a spin during the fun runs. I was riding with one of them when the car gave off a horrible burning clutch smell. It started in the middle of one of the runs when he shifted to third. He is a very capable driver and had driven my car several times before. I was not letting anyone launch hard, I almost never launch it myself. My car only has 7k miles and the only mods are stage 2. Why would it slip in third when it had never shown any signs of wear before?

Another thing i noticed was that my front tires were significantly more worn than the rears after letting them drive it, is it possible that that caused damage to the center diff? Are there clutches in there that could cause a burning clutch smell?

I let the car cool off and it has driven just like normal since then. I haven't noticed any issues, and I will be replacing the tires very soon. Oh, and no, I won't be whoring my car out at any more autocrosses.

Your burning clutch smell is from hard driving and hard shifting......and probably riding the clutch.

I experienced the same thing the first few times I took my car out on the autocross course....the better you get, the less you torture your clutch. I am FAR from being an expert, but I now have almost 30,000 miles on the car, around 20 autocross events, and about 10 track days....clutch is fine.....front tire wear is from plowing through the corners.....upgrade your sway bars and get some springs and adjustable camber plates.....the money you spend on that will save you $$$$ in tires.

[BERK]

Thanks for your input, I figured it was just hard use, but I had been reading about different tire sizes and center diff damage and it got me scared. I am planning on springs and sways sometime this summer, hopefully that will help.

Just out of curiosity, what symptoms would you see if you were damaging your diff with different sized tires?

[flatthump]

ya the front tire wear is freakn annoying....understeer ftl....

[TucsonSTi]

Originally Posted by BERK

Thanks for your input, I figured it was just hard use, but I had been reading about different tire sizes and center diff damage and it got me scared. I am planning on springs and sways sometime this summer, hopefully that will help.

Just out of curiosity, what symptoms would you see if you were damaging your diff with different sized tires?

The only way you are going to damage your diff with different size tires is if you are running larger or smaller tires front and rear.....mixed sizes. If you trade up to a larger diameter tire...ie. 235/45/17, or jump to an 18" rim / tire, as long as all 4 are the same size, you shouldnt be hurting anything.....just remember your speedo may be off....and keep in mind your spare is made to compliment the stock diamater if you get a flat.