Broken Clutch

Some background: 1998 Civic with an edelbrock turbo charged D16Y8 motor. Received a new Spec Stage 3, 6 Puck clutch and put it in. Ran the clutch normal for about 500 miles. 1 week. Tried to launch the car Sunday and the clutch went out. Well, took the clutch out and this is what I found.

Has anyone ever seen a pressure plate do this?

http://bas-co.com/jade/images/parts/pressureplate.jpg

http://bas-co.com/jade/images/parts/broken1.jpg

http://bas-co.com/jade/images/parts/broken2.jpg

Thats SERIOUSLY messed up.....my only guess is that it got too hot, and the heat weakened the metal, causing it to crack where it would be the easiest, where those holes are.

I'd think you should be able to get a new one for free if it only had about 500 miles, just start complaining to the company.

Thats looks like a design fault to me. Those holes have no purpose other than creating a stress area and weaks spot. A powerful improperly installed or adjusted clutch could put too much stress around those holes and snap.

this happens whens a "stinger" or a welding + hits a forged metal. when a forged steal or pressure plate hits a + voltage it will weakin the metal.
that could have caused this. it is a factory mistake.

DAMN!!! i would have to say that that looks like a faulty pressure plate. for it to crack so precisely at evrrey one of those holes???? god that sucks man.. just keep bitching to the company its easier for them to just give you what you want then to keep listening to you complain...

What kind of pressure plate/clutch is that?

i dont think the clutch really overheated... if it had you would see the signs with slight color changes on the metal. and yeah, what is the point of those holes?? I mean really... something like that needs to be as strong as possible, and holes like that are just going to cause weak spots

I would press the company not only for a new pressure plate and clutch (I assume if the pressure plate looks like that it ate the clutch up as well) but also I would try to get money out of them for having your time wasted like that... changing clutches is not exactly an easy task for the most part. if the company wants to keep their good name they will work with you on it.