Burning plastic smell after redlining SVT

[lagsy]

Hey all I purchased my Focus SVT about 3k miles ago. Today i decided to go ahead and see how i can get the wheels spinning by dropping the clutch around 4-5k rpms then proceeding to accidently redline for about 1-2 seconds.. put in the clutch then shifted to 2nd gear to releive some stress after noticing it did not drop that much in rpms i let off the engine for a couple seconds then drove normally.. When i pulled into my garage i noticed a very strong burning plastic smell which scared the shit outta me i thought wrecked something. Does anyone know what this smell is comming from and if i really messed something up.

[Markgase2000]

Your motor is still breaking in , when you drive it hard that smell will come back , the hotter you drive it the stronger the smell. Try to drive all types of ways "slow , average and fast" every day so it breaks in nice. Dont be afraid to pop that clutch on those high rpms , its made for it. Just dont do it too often cus with any car no matter how expensive or powerfull can blow a motor. Keep drivin it fairly hard , that smell will go away after a few months.

[rockthezx3]

I've had that smell in my car too after driving it hard. It stopped when I hit around 12,000 miles.

[teeceeum]

I have an '02 SVT. It has 14,000 miles. I've dumped the clutch above 3500 three times since I've owned it. Every time I've gotten the nasty smell of a burning clutch. I'm pretty sure this is what you're experiencing too. It's pretty much impossible ot overrev the SVT as the fuel shutoff intervenes at 7200 RPM. The only cure I know of is a stronger clutch and pressure plate. A pretty expensive proposition. About $500 for parts and another $500 to install. Just keep it around 3500 and you should be fine. It hooks up better at about that RPM for me anyway.

[Markgase2000]

Its the motor breaking in , i smell it every day at the shop when the tecs pdi vehicles(pre delivery inspection)

[coots03SVT]

it's the clutch...trust me...mine still does it...it's an 03 engine is done breaking in....my buddies 02 svt still does it.

[SilverSVT]

I have a 03 SVT and I get that smell whenever I push it to 100 mph or more

[zx2srdotnet]

my zx2 does that also so imma say its the clutch i dont see why 1 zetec would smell diff from another lol. but then again i dont have a revlimiter lol i can max her if i ever felt the need lol, wouldnt recomend it lol

[Markgase2000]

I burned a clutch on a zx5 and it didnt smell like plastic but you guys own them so I reckon yer know what your talkin about. I am buying a 2000zx3 are the straight up factory clutches any good or do they malfunction when used agressively? Kinda need to know before I buy it cus I could have a sporty one installed if need be.

[zx2srdotnet]

stock clutches are good but not ment for racing

[Markgase2000]

Good to know , in the shop most the tecs say they never worked on a focus clutch. Thanks zx2 got any pics of your zx2? I miss those cars

[zx2srdotnet]

www.cardomain.com/id/zinczx2

they were a better platfom for tuing weight and gearing wise then the focus. if they put zx2 gering in the zx3 i might have actually gotten one.

[dbmstng]

it's normal to smell the clutch after abuse. if you start having trouble with the clutch tho, contact your dealer. there is a TSB on the SVT clutch.

[digitalgliff]

That would be your clutch burnning. redline shifts are NEVER good for a clutch no matter what car or truck its in. Do it often & you'll be in the tranny shop looking at a BIG bill.

[03Focus_Guy]

i would have to say its the clutch also..it doesnt just happen in my car when i pop the clutch but even in my friends eclipse so it cant be the motor