Ok, so about two months ago, my clutch went, so I decided to do some extra work while the transmission was dropped. I got a Torsen LSD, Spec Stage II clutch and a Fidenza flywheel installed.
When I picked up the car, i told my mechanic I'd see him in a couple of thousand miles to change the transmission flui out (riding standard fluid with friction modifier for break in, going back to Redline). After the swap, I noticed a light ticking sound when the car idled, that would disappear when the clutch was pressed. I posted on here and was told it was probably gear rollover from the stiffer clutch. There was no performance or any indication of reliability concerns.
OK, now fast forward two thousand miles or so. Car is working well, and every once in a while I hit the accelerator a little harder to see how the clutch/flywheel/LSD combo is settling in. Feels very nice. Good pull, Almost no torque steer, great cornering. Fine... until Christmas Eve. I was heading down the NJ Turnpike, to my godson's family's house and after a two miles on the highway, the engine starts racing and the acceleration disappears. Then after a few seconds of hunting for an effective gear, I feel the engine engage again. At this point, having just done a clutch swap, I am concerned, so I decide to go down to the next exit and get off to check it out at lower speeds.
Two miles later, it happens again. It's like the clutch just disappeared. No noise, no weakness, just no connection between the clutch and the transmission. After pulling over to the shoulder, I put it in first, release the clutch pedal, and the car rolls backwards slowly, with the grade of the highway. Reverse is the same. It's like the clutch is gone, completely. I can't feel it contact anything, nor any forward effort at all. The clutch pedal feels a little stiffer than normal. The shifter moves into each gear without a problem. Aside from that, there is no sign of anything wrong. There was a slight burning smell coming from the car, but not that of a burned out clutch, more like a chemical smell, slightly burned.
Does anyone have an clues what might be wrong? I didn't see any fluids leaking under the car. The engine sounds normal, but the ticking is gone at idle. Le tme know what ypou think.
Thanks..
