Clutch for LT1
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 348
Likes: 1
From: Hermosa Beach, CA
Clutch for LT1
So my throwout bearing is gone and I figured I might as well change the clutch while I have the tranny out. Just curious what people have used to replace the stock one and how they are. I'm currently looking at the RAM clutches (OEM and PowerGrip series) # 88483 and 98483. Also, the parts store Borg Warner is a little cheaper but I'm not sure how it is. Any experience would be useful and appreciated. Thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: Clutch for LT1 (Aaron71771)
they all use the same pressure plate, made by Valao.
RAM and LUK are about equal.
you will want to investigate the flywheel... they cannot be turned, for any number of reasons. and they are EXPENSIVE. you might want to check with the engine shops to see if they have any low mileage take-offs.
RAM and LUK are about equal.
you will want to investigate the flywheel... they cannot be turned, for any number of reasons. and they are EXPENSIVE. you might want to check with the engine shops to see if they have any low mileage take-offs.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 348
Likes: 1
From: Hermosa Beach, CA
Re: Clutch for LT1 (bogus)
The flywheel can't be resurfaced??? I know they can't be turned because that leaves a taper on the flywheel causing runout but if they can't be resurfaced that's gonna change a lot. Please someone tell me there's an option for this.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 6,374
Likes: 21
From: Traverse City MI
Re: Clutch for LT1 (cresus)
If the flywheel has been scratched up, your only option is replacement. A lot of folks go the single mass flywheel route - it's lighter and the engine will rev a little faster.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
From: Hesperia California
Re: Clutch for LT1 (cresus)
Just had my zf rebuilt. The shop sent the dual mass flywheel out to be resurfaced, put in new luk clutch & pressure plate. Everything is fine.
I asked them about resurfacing the flywheel and they do it all the time! :steering:
I asked them about resurfacing the flywheel and they do it all the time! :steering:
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: Clutch for LT1 (Movnviolation)
Just had my zf rebuilt. The shop sent the dual mass flywheel out to be resurfaced, put in new luk clutch & pressure plate. Everything is fine.
I asked them about resurfacing the flywheel and they do it all the time! :steering:
I asked them about resurfacing the flywheel and they do it all the time! :steering:
here is the scoop - the dual mass does NOT have a taper on it. I asked Bill @ ZFDoc, and he said it is perfectly flat.
There are three reasons why you don't resurface a DM...
1) The two masses are joined by a rubber "spring". That acts much like the springs on a friction disc. That rubber is prone to failure if exposed to oils or cutting fluid.
2) The space tolerances are soooo tight... that to remove .005 off a flywheel effects its placement.
3) the rubber wears out. loses it's elasticity. Once that happens, the DM can start rattling around and it will sound much like a rod knock.
I have no estimates to when that will happen, but it has. Don't expect an original DM to last more than 125k miles or so... it all depends on how you drive it, too.
Going to a single mass flywheel is tricky. SBCs are internally AND externally balanced, so if a single mass is installed, and not balanced right to the engine, you WILL get a nasty vibration. Just be cautious if you decide to go this route.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,295
Likes: 4
From: I'm the walkin dude I can see all of the world...
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: Clutch for LT1 (bogus)
Just had my zf rebuilt. The shop sent the dual mass flywheel out to be resurfaced, put in new luk clutch & pressure plate. Everything is fine.
I asked them about resurfacing the flywheel and they do it all the time! :steering:
:eek:
here is the scoop - the dual mass does NOT have a taper on it. I asked Bill @ ZFDoc, and he said it is perfectly flat.
There are three reasons why you don't resurface a DM...
1) The two masses are joined by a rubber "spring". That acts much like the springs on a friction disc. That rubber is prone to failure if exposed to oils or cutting fluid.
2) The space tolerances are soooo tight... that to remove .005 off a flywheel effects its placement.
3) the rubber wears out. loses it's elasticity. Once that happens, the DM can start rattling around and it will sound much like a rod knock.
I have no estimates to when that will happen, but it has. Don't expect an original DM to last more than 125k miles or so... it all depends on how you drive it, too.
Going to a single mass flywheel is tricky. SBCs are internally AND externally balanced, so if a single mass is installed, and not balanced right to the engine, you WILL get a nasty vibration. Just be cautious if you decide to go this route.
I asked them about resurfacing the flywheel and they do it all the time! :steering:
:eek:
here is the scoop - the dual mass does NOT have a taper on it. I asked Bill @ ZFDoc, and he said it is perfectly flat.
There are three reasons why you don't resurface a DM...
1) The two masses are joined by a rubber "spring". That acts much like the springs on a friction disc. That rubber is prone to failure if exposed to oils or cutting fluid.
2) The space tolerances are soooo tight... that to remove .005 off a flywheel effects its placement.
3) the rubber wears out. loses it's elasticity. Once that happens, the DM can start rattling around and it will sound much like a rod knock.
I have no estimates to when that will happen, but it has. Don't expect an original DM to last more than 125k miles or so... it all depends on how you drive it, too.
Going to a single mass flywheel is tricky. SBCs are internally AND externally balanced, so if a single mass is installed, and not balanced right to the engine, you WILL get a nasty vibration. Just be cautious if you decide to go this route.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 348
Likes: 1
From: Hermosa Beach, CA
Re: Clutch for LT1 (VictorRussell'92)
So did you put a SM aluminum flywheel on and have balancing issues? I started looking around for one and the best I found was a Fidanza flywheel for $350. This throwout bearing is getting awfully expensive. I have 105k miles on the car but it sounds like I may have a bad DM flywheel since I have always had a low pitch knock that is not a rod and I never could figure out what it is. Any ideas where one can get a flywheel for cheap that will work without requiring an engine balance. Thanks for the help.
Or should I just change the throwout bearing and hope everything else works for a few years?
Or should I just change the throwout bearing and hope everything else works for a few years?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Re: Clutch for LT1 (cresus)
So did you put a SM aluminum flywheel on and have balancing issues? I started looking around for one and the best I found was a Fidanza flywheel for $350. This throwout bearing is getting awfully expensive. I have 105k miles on the car but it sounds like I may have a bad DM flywheel since I have always had a low pitch knock that is not a rod and I never could figure out what it is. Any ideas where one can get a flywheel for cheap that will work without requiring an engine balance. Thanks for the help.
Or should I just change the throwout bearing and hope everything else works for a few years?
Or should I just change the throwout bearing and hope everything else works for a few years?
I would replace everything.
Remember, the ZF is prone to making a lot of noise... so try to isolate the noise... if its father back, it's more than likely the gearbox, doing it's thing.
if it's to the front, then I would blame the dual mass. There is a test for it, but I don't remember HOW, I remember what, if the 2 masses deflect more than 1", you MUST replace.
I would get a helms manual, too... and contact Bill at http://www.zfdoc.com. He has a FAQ page, too. Bill is a diety when it comes to these units.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,472
Likes: 0
From: Toronto ONTARIO
Re: Clutch for LT1 (bogus)
I put in a centerforce and i love it. Its smoother and lighter than the stock clutch and handles 90% more power- so they say.
I also had my flywheel surfaced without my permission. I got serious vibration at mid rpm and at high rpm and what sounded like rod knock as well at idle when touching the throttle.
I also had my flywheel surfaced without my permission. I got serious vibration at mid rpm and at high rpm and what sounded like rod knock as well at idle when touching the throttle.
