Need flywheel help.....
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
From: Walton KY
Need flywheel help.....
I recently had my entire clutch system replaced on my 94 LT1. My mechanic told me he sent my flywheel out to be machined. I know you are not supposed to resurface these things. I have the symptoms mentioned in this thread http://forums.corvetteforum.com/showthread.php?t=1099098 .
Why can't these dual mass flywheels be turned? What happens if you do? Could this be why I have bad clutch chatter? Could this be why the clutch kicks in right off the floor? Could this be why it now feels "out of balance"? Why did my hair fall out at such a young age? Sorry, wrong forum.
Thanks ahead of time!!!!!
Why can't these dual mass flywheels be turned? What happens if you do? Could this be why I have bad clutch chatter? Could this be why the clutch kicks in right off the floor? Could this be why it now feels "out of balance"? Why did my hair fall out at such a young age? Sorry, wrong forum.
Thanks ahead of time!!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 6
From: NS
If I were you I would replace the flywheel. It sounds like they probably damaged the damper while machining. Not to mention it's not flat anymore.
If you get a new one, remember there are balancing weights in the plug holes on the outer back edge of your FW. You can get the weights from GM. Just make sure you put weights in the same holes on your new FW to maintain the balance.
If you get a new one, remember there are balancing weights in the plug holes on the outer back edge of your FW. You can get the weights from GM. Just make sure you put weights in the same holes on your new FW to maintain the balance.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Dallas/Spring Texas
I'm going through this right now. I'm going to get a camaro flywheel tomorrow even though I already bought a whole clutch kit and had the DM flywheel resurfaced. The guy at the machine shop said they make flywheel shim plates to make up for the amount they take off, but I don't know how I feel about that. Has anyone heard/experienced that? Did the camaros have the same balancing problems that the vettes had? In summit it lists the LT1 as an internally balanced engine and they didn't want my balancer or flywheel when I had my rotating assembly balanced.
I can't see how a camaro flywheel is going to be nearly thick enough to put the throwout bearing in the right place either, but I'm going to trust you guys that have experience with it. I guess all I'll need now is a sprung-hub clutch disk. Anybody wanna buy a brand new DM clutch disk and newly machined flywheel?
I can't see how a camaro flywheel is going to be nearly thick enough to put the throwout bearing in the right place either, but I'm going to trust you guys that have experience with it. I guess all I'll need now is a sprung-hub clutch disk. Anybody wanna buy a brand new DM clutch disk and newly machined flywheel?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
wow... this topic has been nothing short of beaten to death...
I will try again to pound this one home.
1) The DM CAN NOT be cut. Well, physically it can be cut, but it should not be done. Here is why: Atok touched on it - the membrain that makes up the absorbing material will get torn up by the torque of being cut and many of the cutting fluids.
Space also gets into the equation. Shims? that sounds like a mess waiting to happen. If the DMFW is cut .020, that means the clutch is no longer aligned, and too far forward. Chaos ensues.
Finally, miles. The membrain is only good for about 110k miles, TOPS. When the membrain starts to fail, the engine will get into a minor inbalance and drone and vibrate like an SOB.
2) The DM is part of the LT1s engine balance. It's the external (rear) balance for the Corvette ONLY. LT1s in the Camaro didn't have to go through this. The reason is due to the DMs nature related to the engine. I guess GM felt that with all that weight, why not use it to our advantage and balance the engine with it. Besides, we get to sell expensive units in about 100k miles. Also, the DM was selected for use with the ZF to quell much of the gear rattle. If you go SM, be ready for much more noise.
3) If you use a SMFW of any kind, it has to be MATCH balanced. This is where the SM is weighted to match the DMs intentional inbalance.
4) If you get a new DM, you will need a weight kit. Carolina Clutch is a good source, they have the DM for about $600.00 or so. Weights are not expensive.
I will try again to pound this one home.
1) The DM CAN NOT be cut. Well, physically it can be cut, but it should not be done. Here is why: Atok touched on it - the membrain that makes up the absorbing material will get torn up by the torque of being cut and many of the cutting fluids.
Space also gets into the equation. Shims? that sounds like a mess waiting to happen. If the DMFW is cut .020, that means the clutch is no longer aligned, and too far forward. Chaos ensues.
Finally, miles. The membrain is only good for about 110k miles, TOPS. When the membrain starts to fail, the engine will get into a minor inbalance and drone and vibrate like an SOB.
2) The DM is part of the LT1s engine balance. It's the external (rear) balance for the Corvette ONLY. LT1s in the Camaro didn't have to go through this. The reason is due to the DMs nature related to the engine. I guess GM felt that with all that weight, why not use it to our advantage and balance the engine with it. Besides, we get to sell expensive units in about 100k miles. Also, the DM was selected for use with the ZF to quell much of the gear rattle. If you go SM, be ready for much more noise.
3) If you use a SMFW of any kind, it has to be MATCH balanced. This is where the SM is weighted to match the DMs intentional inbalance.
4) If you get a new DM, you will need a weight kit. Carolina Clutch is a good source, they have the DM for about $600.00 or so. Weights are not expensive.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,910
Likes: 100
From: Manassas VA
NoVa Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '14
Originally Posted by bogus
wow... this topic has been nothing short of beaten to death...
I will try again to pound this one home.
1) The DM CAN NOT be cut. Well, physically it can be cut, but it should not be done. Here is why: Atok touched on it - the membrain that makes up the absorbing material will get torn up by the torque of being cut and many of the cutting fluids.
Space also gets into the equation. Shims? that sounds like a mess waiting to happen. If the DMFW is cut .020, that means the clutch is no longer aligned, and too far forward. Chaos ensues.
Finally, miles. The membrain is only good for about 110k miles, TOPS. When the membrain starts to fail, the engine will get into a minor inbalance and drone and vibrate like an SOB.
2) The DM is part of the LT1s engine balance. It's the external (rear) balance for the Corvette ONLY. LT1s in the Camaro didn't have to go through this. The reason is due to the DMs nature related to the engine. I guess GM felt that with all that weight, why not use it to our advantage and balance the engine with it. Besides, we get to sell expensive units in about 100k miles. Also, the DM was selected for use with the ZF to quell much of the gear rattle. If you go SM, be ready for much more noise.
3) If you use a SMFW of any kind, it has to be MATCH balanced. This is where the SM is weighted to match the DMs intentional inbalance.
4) If you get a new DM, you will need a weight kit. Carolina Clutch is a good source, they have the DM for about $600.00 or so. Weights are not expensive.
I will try again to pound this one home.
1) The DM CAN NOT be cut. Well, physically it can be cut, but it should not be done. Here is why: Atok touched on it - the membrain that makes up the absorbing material will get torn up by the torque of being cut and many of the cutting fluids.
Space also gets into the equation. Shims? that sounds like a mess waiting to happen. If the DMFW is cut .020, that means the clutch is no longer aligned, and too far forward. Chaos ensues.
Finally, miles. The membrain is only good for about 110k miles, TOPS. When the membrain starts to fail, the engine will get into a minor inbalance and drone and vibrate like an SOB.
2) The DM is part of the LT1s engine balance. It's the external (rear) balance for the Corvette ONLY. LT1s in the Camaro didn't have to go through this. The reason is due to the DMs nature related to the engine. I guess GM felt that with all that weight, why not use it to our advantage and balance the engine with it. Besides, we get to sell expensive units in about 100k miles. Also, the DM was selected for use with the ZF to quell much of the gear rattle. If you go SM, be ready for much more noise.
3) If you use a SMFW of any kind, it has to be MATCH balanced. This is where the SM is weighted to match the DMs intentional inbalance.
4) If you get a new DM, you will need a weight kit. Carolina Clutch is a good source, they have the DM for about $600.00 or so. Weights are not expensive.
If you want to talk to someone really knowledgeable when it comes to ZF6s and DM flywheels. CALL ZFDOC!!!! www.zfdoc.com Phone (602) 319-6575
He will sell you everything you need and give you FREE FREE advice!!!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,261
Likes: 85
From: O'Fallon Missouri
Originally Posted by sickspeedvette
I can't see how a camaro flywheel is going to be nearly thick enough to put the throwout bearing in the right place either, but I'm going to trust you guys that have experience with it. I guess all I'll need now is a sprung-hub clutch disk.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 5
From: Howard PA
I can't understand why we see so many threads about clutch, flywheel replacement? Mine has 87K on it now behind an LT4 and still feels rock solid. Is it just they way the previous owners beat them or are there other factors involved? 
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 1
From: King Ranch, 2015 GTR 2008 Z06 Viper Texas
I hardly ever see an original question on these forums anyway, so whats wrong with people asking about clutches and flywheels?
I suspect this place would slow down a bit if only novel questions were encouraged and everyone else relegated to search status.
I suspect this place would slow down a bit if only novel questions were encouraged and everyone else relegated to search status.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Dallas/Spring Texas
Okay, I got the Camaro flywheel and I see what ya'll are talking about now. I checked it with a tape measure just to ballpark the flange-to-clutch surface distance to see which was more and the camaro one does need about 1/8th-1/16th machined off, which is right around .090 inch. Now the rotating assembly will go back to the machine shop for rebalancing (just to be sure) and hopefully it will be together soon...this is getting old.
