So, im a [freak]ing moron and tried to pull out fast from a tricky intersection and boom, i smell my clutch. I didnt "feel" is slip, as in it still grabbed, but i could smell that terribly burnt disc smell. The clutch is an LSD tuner series with about 180 miles on it, should i expect long term failure? Or am i maybe in the clear? ha.

 

When I installed my clutch any time it saw a long slow engage it would start to smell. Or when I would start on a hill it would do the same. I pulled it out after 500 miles and inspected it and took it to a shop and they said it was ok. It did that for a couple months after that but now its gone away and grips like a mother.

 

In my years of experience, I've found that "break in" on clutches is mythical bullshit used to get people to put unnecessary mileage on their new part so when it breaks it's further from warranty.

It's a disc with friction pucks on it, not unlike brake pads. You don't see brake pad companies suggesting you "take it easy" on your brakes for the first 1000 miles, do ya? Install the clutch and drive it like you'd drive anything else: there's no special coating on the pucks or on the surface of the pressure plate or flywheel that needs to be gently burned off. If you don't drive like a dipshit, your clutch will never have an issue, even if its first use is drag-launching from 6000rpm.

 

agreed, and smelling clutch is always a bad thing...

just try to not slip it as much.

 

but thats the thing, i didnt feel it slip at all, it was a very quick, grabbing engagement including tire spin on heavy 16s. Im not sure why i smelled it? Im wondering if maybe the smell is just part of break in and it will eventually go away as stated earlier in here. I must say though, i do believe in clutch break in. A buddy of mine beat the **** out of his when it was brand new including 2nd gear burnouts in a stock prelude and it lasted like 7 months lol.

 

If you didnt really ride the clutch through the entire intersection and didnt do any "sick" burnouts in it, i really wouldnt worry about it. As long as its not slipping, you should be fine.
Especially since it just has 180 miles on. It should still be in good condition.

I know people that ride their clutches all day long on some old *** cars, and it amazes me day after day how the clutch is still holding up.