Dope

I've slightly updated and modified my old C5 Clutch Install Guide and posted it up on the web. It was posted previously but it was eaten when the board's software was changed. Added a few pics, made a few wording changes, that's about it.

http://fear.net/~dope/c5_clutch_install_nopics.html

There is also a link (within the link above) to the version with the pics included (if you wanted to print it out). Beware as it is a few megs. Please do not abuse these links.

http://fear.net/~dope/c5_clutch_install.doc if you prefer MS Word (2megs or so).

EDIT: Current links as of 4/7/2012:

http://home.comcast.net/~dopemaro/C5...ar_install.pdf

http://home.comcast.net/~dopemaro/C5...ch_install.pdf

EDIT: Current links as of 5/19/2016:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1592251692

Thanks,
Dope

diyguy

I've just read (and looked) at the clutch job. Very nicely done, but one question?

Would you DIY the whole thing again, or is $1200 reasonable to pay someone?

How much time - total - did it take you?

Great Job!

Dope

That's kinda a tough question. I do everything myself, so I couldn't see paying $50 for someone to do it. Learning to do it yourself is extremely important, ESPECIALLY on a wear item like this. $1200 here, $1200 there, everytime you need a clutch? No thanks. The satisfaction of doing it yourself is worth it alone. Not to mention, the satisfaction of knowing you did it right. And if you did it wrong, you know how to take it all apart and try again!

I can say this, because the scars on my hands have gradually faded

I don't know how long it took. 3 weekends total, including a transmission swap, complete exhaust swap and suspension swap. Lots of learning, picture-taking, trips to get tools, etc. Hell, the pilot bearing took me a half day. Now it would take me 15 mins.

I could easily do it in a weekend I'd say. ~16 hours from start (getting out the jack) to finish (test driving). With the right tools, it is relatively easy, just a TON of work. A lift and/or buddies to help REALLY would cut down on the time too, especially in handling the heavy stuff.

Thanks for the compliments.

Dope

Patches

Awesome write-up, Dope. Excellent job and nice work on the swap out.

Thanks for taking the time and making the effort to post that tutorial.

Mike52

Beautiful write-up, I book-marked it for future use. Im at that point with my car where Im getting ready to tackle some larger jobs (intake manifold, headers, then maybe...a cam) but Im still quite the novice. I decided to do everything on this car myself because Im finding that I enjoy my mods that much more when I do them!

And like you said, when you do something yourself, you find out exactly how it works. Then when it breaks or starts making noise, you know(usually) just how to fix it!

Cscokd

....but looks like a real PITA! Guess we will all have to go thru this if we keep our cars long enough and then it's time to put in all the other little mods while we have it all apart. Hate throwout bearings too! Great write up!
John

mdhmi

$1,200 for a clutch R&R is *way* high. I paid half that and that included installing a hardened output shaft and a strut brace.

Mark

Vetteman Jack

Thanks for the post. Very well written and helpful.

2ndVette

Dayam $600 for a clutch, differential brace and hardened output shaft? A shop that hungry should get some free advertisement to help them out.

mdhmi

I'm not sure hungry would be the world - I think fair would be more like it. The person who did my clutch is an expert and works very efficiently. One of the other shops I checked wanted $900 for the clutch + an undetermined amount for the output shaft and differential brace.. No thanks..

Cheers,

Mark

Dope

I don't know how those guys do it. Quite frankly if someone asked me to do a clutch job on their C5, I'd probably be asking at least $750. That's less than $50 an hour by my calculations - very cheap for that kind of labor.

Dope

NLKoerner

Thanks, I will probably be there some day soon.
Let us know how you like the Exedy system you installed.
Norm K.

kumar75150

the most I have been quoted for a clutch install in the dallas area is 600

EFI-1

Thanks Dope....I'll be needing this soon!

RPOZ16

Thanks, great write up.

DTE Powertrain

Got to hand it to you...good job in doing this on your own and on the ground. Our hats off to your success!

Regards,
DTE

Fastguy

Nice write up, that is how I did mine. My only suggestion if you're doing this by yourself is to get some ratcheting tie-downs. I connect the tie down to the jack that is holding the rear cradle assembly and the other end to the front crossmember. That way I can ratchet the whole thing forward a little at a time as the assembly is extremely heavy.

GrayC5

Excellent write-up! Thanks for taking the time to make this available to the rest of us!

diyguy

Kumar
Was that a dealer quoted price? Mine will likely need to get done over the next couple of months, especially if I go back to TMS again and run on the track with it.

I am very hesitant to tackle such a huge job. Dope did a Fantastic job detailing every step of the way, and that gives me an idea of what all is involved. Time is money, as they say.... I'd love to take a stab at it, just really reluctant to take it on though.

It's a heck of lot more than when I'd change out a clutch in an old 57 Chevy I used to run at the drags (K stock) in Kennedale many years ago! And, I had access to a lift!

pewter99

wow..great write up....pilot bearings BTDT..

best quote of the article...


Lubricate well, and hammer that sucker into the crank. When this doesn't work, grab progressively larger and larger hammers until that piece of crap is flush with the outside of the crank.