Well I've been reading all the old posts on flywheel conversions and clutch replacements for the past few days and think I have most of it straight, but I still have a few questions. I plan on converting to a single-mass flywheel with a sprung hub organic clutch. Thats just what I want to do, and the issues have been beaten to death in other threads.

The first is the pressure plate. I have seen from a few different sources that there is only one pressure plate manufactured, that is by valeo. AND it is the same between the 6 speed corvette and the LT1 camaro's( zf6 and t56's).

But it seems everyone says you need to get the pressure plate for the corvette when converting to a camaro flywheel. Is the only difference the throw out bearing? As I understand it the earlier trannys had a different size TOB.

So I have a black tag '89 zf, with the small nose starter. And I was thinking I could just buy a matched clutch set for a t-56 camaro. What size TOB does the the t-56 PP use? is it the same one as the later blue tags? Or is it the same as the smaller earlier zf's?

The second question is about lightweight flywheels, specifically issues about cruising under load and zero load conditions. Noise is not an issue, but I have read several confusing statements about "resonance and problems 'under load' under 2k rpm." Is this just a noise the tranny makes under 2k rpm when your not wot? Specifically, I am curious what an AL flywheel drives like at cruise 60-65 mph on the highway in 6th. Does it surge? or does it just make funky noises? Some people report just down shifting to keep the rev's up, is that to keep it quiet or is low speed and low load cruising negatively affected??

I understand noise and stalling when using a AL flywheel, but do not understand steady cruise low rpm drive-ability issues.

I killed off my stock dual mass assembly at an auto cross this Sunday, (in the rain ) and am hoping a t56 setup with a shaved flywheel will work. What do stock camaro clutch disks hold power wise? Are they weaker than the 'vette DM setups power wise? Just buying a camaro matched clutch set would be super easy... This is going to wipe out my cam fund..

 

I put in the Fidanza aluminum flywheel, Valeo clutch plate, and high performance throw-out bearing (kit from Ecklers) two years ago and the only problem I've had is cold idle startup is a crapshoot. Sometimes the idle is dead on and sometimes it's so off that for the first couple of miles she stalls at every stop.

 

I appreciate the response. I just couldn't wrap my mind around how a AL flywheel could affect a steady cruise or light load situation (other than noise).

I think I am going to get a matched clutch set (clutch, pp, tob and pilot bushing) for a t-56 camaro and worse case will need to buy a '89 specific tob.

 

not sure about the L98 in your year vette, but I do know the LT1's are externally balanced -- so in case your L98 is too, might be worth match-marking clearly the flywheel versus the crank -- and keeping the DM flywheel -- this way, if ever needed by you or next owner(s), they can restore the engine balance which may be lost with the aluminum flywheel.

 

Yes, the l98 is "external" balanced, I will get the flywheels matched. No need to mark the flywheel, there is only one way they go on. Not too worried about the future owner, this is my hot rod to fiddle around with. Its already far beyond what most 'vette enthusiasts would think is nice which makes it guilt free to mod myself.



I can't take credit for the picture, but I can take credit for the poor driving.

 

When I did mine, I found that a majority of the other threads were plagued by posts from guys who don't do their own wrenching, misunderstood what their mechanic said, or outright made stuff up.

For the record - I'm running a 16lbs steel singlemass flywheel, unsprung clutch disc.

The disc from the fbody can be used on the ybody, but the pressure plate is vette specific only because of the throwout bearing collar diameter. Considering how cheap pressure plates are from Fort Wayne clutch, just buy the vette item.

If you call fort wayne, ask for Scott he will make you whatever you want. Black tag has a different size snout that a blue tag, so make sure you tell him you have the black tag. If your dead set on running the sprung hub he can build it that way too. Ask for Scott specifically and you will get the right pricing. He can do ceramic, kevlar, carbon, etc. I don't understand why you would want a sprung hub - all it is going to do is increase your chances of bucking at low speeds, especially if it's a speed density car.


It makes some pretty funny noises when there is no load. If I'm doing a light tps cruise in 5th gear (say, 45mph) it makes a very strange rattle. Under acceleration it's fine. At idle it's a little funny too. If I hadn't verified with other singlemass guys I would have thought the thing was going to explode..

I cruise around 1800-2000 RPM on a moderate (222/230*) camshaft. If I try and cruise around 1500 it makes a rattle. Doesn't bother me too much.

As noted above, however I'm running a 16lbs steel flywheel. Not sure what the alum will be like, could be worse if it's lighter. For a street car I wouldn't go any lighter. In fact, I think my combo is really nice. The car will cruise on a sunday morning with no issues, but should cut a low 11sec 1/4 on demand.

Call Scott at fort wayne clutch.. I think he built my clutch for $265 shipped. He builds to order. Just tell him what you need. Dual friction ceramic. I've been using his clutches since 2001, and I've launched 3600lbs cars (fbody) on slicks and cut 120mph in the 1/4 mi with no evidence of slipping.

-- Joe

 

I am running a black tag (have a new blue tag in the garage too) in my car with the Fidanza aluminum FW, and recently installed a RAM clutch set up with the pressure plate, disc, etc.....anyway the aluminum FW is very noisy at idle in neutral with the clutch disengaged, press on the clutch pedal and it goes away....I also get gear rattle at low RPM when you press further on the accelerater (under a load); higher RPM levels, it is quiet....I may go to the steel single mass....now I am having terrible clutch chatter in reverse only after this RAM clutch set up, the car shakes violently when in reverse gear when slipping the clutch making reverse usless unless you want the driveline to shake apart.....I need to pull it all out again and have my mechanic research the issue....we put the new blue tag in the car to see if it was a tranny issue, same results and put the black tag back in.....confusing.....I hear Carolina Clutches does a great job and has good customer service for your needs as some on the forum have pointed out....