Camaro flywheel
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2009
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Camaro flywheel
I'm reviving my '96 396 stroker from 4 yrs of storage as you may have read in my 1st post. Once I address the fluid/gas changes, there are other aspects of the car I need to address, and this one concerns me.
The car was built about 6 yrs ago. It has a 125 shot of NOS, and I couldn't keep clutches in it. I destroyed the dual mass flywheel, so we changed to a Spec II clutch, and a Camaro flywheel.
At the time, this was what everyone here was doing...a Camaro flywheel had to have ninety thousandths machined from it's face to work. The folks who were doing this did not report trouble, but that's a lot of meat off that flywheel. I have been away from all of this so long I haven't heard of the long term effects, but have to wonder if this issue hasn't been long addressed with a better solution.
Also, at the time, no one was making a blow-proof bellhousing for the car. Does one exist now? (I commonly shifted the car at 7 grand.)
So, do I have reason for concern? Did those milled Camaro flywheels turn into hand grenades?
The car was built about 6 yrs ago. It has a 125 shot of NOS, and I couldn't keep clutches in it. I destroyed the dual mass flywheel, so we changed to a Spec II clutch, and a Camaro flywheel.
At the time, this was what everyone here was doing...a Camaro flywheel had to have ninety thousandths machined from it's face to work. The folks who were doing this did not report trouble, but that's a lot of meat off that flywheel. I have been away from all of this so long I haven't heard of the long term effects, but have to wonder if this issue hasn't been long addressed with a better solution.
Also, at the time, no one was making a blow-proof bellhousing for the car. Does one exist now? (I commonly shifted the car at 7 grand.)
So, do I have reason for concern? Did those milled Camaro flywheels turn into hand grenades?
Le Mans Master
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From: Akron Ohio
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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I believe there are many options for a lightweight aluminum flywheel a ZF6. Fidanza has one and so does Spec. If you have a spec clutch try them.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,614
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From: Colleyville Texas
I'm reviving my '96 396 stroker from 4 yrs of storage as you may have read in my 1st post. Once I address the fluid/gas changes, there are other aspects of the car I need to address, and this one concerns me.
The car was built about 6 yrs ago. It has a 125 shot of NOS, and I couldn't keep clutches in it. I destroyed the dual mass flywheel, so we changed to a Spec II clutch, and a Camaro flywheel.
At the time, this was what everyone here was doing...a Camaro flywheel had to have ninety thousandths machined from it's face to work. The folks who were doing this did not report trouble, but that's a lot of meat off that flywheel. I have been away from all of this so long I haven't heard of the long term effects, but have to wonder if this issue hasn't been long addressed with a better solution.
Also, at the time, no one was making a blow-proof bellhousing for the car. Does one exist now? (I commonly shifted the car at 7 grand.)
So, do I have reason for concern? Did those milled Camaro flywheels turn into hand grenades?
The car was built about 6 yrs ago. It has a 125 shot of NOS, and I couldn't keep clutches in it. I destroyed the dual mass flywheel, so we changed to a Spec II clutch, and a Camaro flywheel.
At the time, this was what everyone here was doing...a Camaro flywheel had to have ninety thousandths machined from it's face to work. The folks who were doing this did not report trouble, but that's a lot of meat off that flywheel. I have been away from all of this so long I haven't heard of the long term effects, but have to wonder if this issue hasn't been long addressed with a better solution.
Also, at the time, no one was making a blow-proof bellhousing for the car. Does one exist now? (I commonly shifted the car at 7 grand.)
So, do I have reason for concern? Did those milled Camaro flywheels turn into hand grenades?
Have trans blanket on the housing.
The Camaro flywheel is steel and weighs about 20LBS versus the 38LBS factory DMF. You do need to shave 90-120 thousands off and make sure the whole set up is balanced. My idle is set at 1050 RPM's and the noise is not much different than the DMF. Launch at 2000 RPM's and shift at 6500 RPM's. Consistent 1.68-1.73 60'.
Hope this helps.
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2009
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Red Rocket, thank you, yes, that does give me piece of mind. I used to literally catch myself glancing down at the transmission tunnel just before pulling a gear, envisioning the flywheel/clutch coming through the SMC and relieving me of my right foot.. I, too, used an auto trans blanket around the bellhousing.
You're my neighbor, BTW. I live in the Colleyville/Southlake/NRH NW corner.
Just curious, who do you use as a tuner/builder in the area? My motor was built by Joe Torres at Rher& Morrison, but had nightmarish experiences with A&S/Scott Whitehorn. I see he's gone now.
Thanks again
You're my neighbor, BTW. I live in the Colleyville/Southlake/NRH NW corner.
Just curious, who do you use as a tuner/builder in the area? My motor was built by Joe Torres at Rher& Morrison, but had nightmarish experiences with A&S/Scott Whitehorn. I see he's gone now.
Thanks again
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,614
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From: Colleyville Texas
Stroker LT4, good to help a neighbor. Is your car red? Have not used A & S for 4 years. Do remember a red LT4 out there a few years ago.
MTI in Houston built my 396. Currently, use a builder in Azle who races with me. He has a Nascar type garage at his house and works on a lot of race cars. He put in my new AFR 195 heads. Real reasonable and does excellent work.
There is a guy in San Antonio who is highly recommended tuner of LT1's--Moehorsepower-Moe Bailey. He did my recent mail order tune with the new set up. He will travel to Waco and does dyno tuning at a shop there. Plan to dyno tune my 396 with Moe in a couple of weeks.
Will send you a PM.
MTI in Houston built my 396. Currently, use a builder in Azle who races with me. He has a Nascar type garage at his house and works on a lot of race cars. He put in my new AFR 195 heads. Real reasonable and does excellent work.
There is a guy in San Antonio who is highly recommended tuner of LT1's--Moehorsepower-Moe Bailey. He did my recent mail order tune with the new set up. He will travel to Waco and does dyno tuning at a shop there. Plan to dyno tune my 396 with Moe in a couple of weeks.
Will send you a PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,014
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From: Raleigh, NC
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2009
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RR, yep, my car is red, w/ZR1 wheels. I don't doubt you saw it in Scott's shop, it spent more time there than in my own garage during that period. I'm the one who introduced Denny McClain to Scott, a dubious "favor", but I think he had better luck than I because he babysat his car more than I could. I'll never forget seeing his new, uncovered shortblock on an engine stand, left in A&S' doorway for a few days as the whiterock dust from the parking lot blew everywhere. You may have seen my Grand National there as well. Fortunately I had the good sense to get it over to Billy Duke, and he built a monster for me.
I would greatly appreciate a reference to your friend w/the NASCAR garage, if he's taking new customers. Justifying this hotrod stuff to my wife in this economic climate is difficult enough...would just like to get the car up to snuff without getting snookered.
Thanks, neighbor. Good to meet you.
I would greatly appreciate a reference to your friend w/the NASCAR garage, if he's taking new customers. Justifying this hotrod stuff to my wife in this economic climate is difficult enough...would just like to get the car up to snuff without getting snookered.
Thanks, neighbor. Good to meet you.
